This post is sponsored by MyBudget
Some of the best birthday parties we have had with our kids have been the ones on the tightest budgets. I pride myself in being able to pull together a last minute cracking kids birthday party.
All 3 of our children are born during the school holidays so I tend to always leave it till the last minute to work something out and am frantically texting people during the holidays. Funnily enough our best birthday parties have been the last minute ones as all of our expectations were low and we pulled out our “go to” fun ideas which seem to be a hit time and time again.
Kid’s birthday parties have become a bit of a thing in the last decade. I am not quite sure what that is about but it seems to be big business. There was this one time that I went all out on a birthday party which was a great time for all the kids who came. Funnily enough it wasn’t any greater than the one with a few friends playing just dance on the Wii and the chocolate game with dress ups.
Firstly, I just want to say that being a great mum doesn’t equal throwing a super expensive themed birthday party that will put you in debt for the next 12 months.
We have partnered with MyBudget for this post to bring you the best birthday party budget tips we could find. MyBudget helps Australians live the life they want free of money worries and helps you stay on top of your bills and expenses and they are even giving all of our School Mum followers the chance to use their online service for free for one month to see what you think. All you need to do is mention you saw this on SCHOOL MUM when you call up to enquire. You can access that here.
So what are these awesome birthday party budget hacks I hear you say?
- Make your own simple snacks which look great and save on decorations
Decorations are one of those things that can add up when it comes to birthday party costs and you end up just throwing them in the bin. I have often got creative with the snacks I have prepared for the party and used them as the decorations. A few balloons here and there and some fun looking food and you are set.
- Location
Choosing a location that doesn’t cost any money like the local park / playground or your own home can be a massive cost saver. Sure, if you have it at your house you will have a bit of clean up but in terms of $$$ you can save a lot.
- Make Your Own Cake or decorate your own cupcakes
Cakes can be a massive cost these days when it comes to birthdays. I used a 75cent ALDI cake mix for my sons last birthday cake (pictured below) with a bit of buttercream icing and a few decorations and voila an awesome looking cake for under $15. We also had some cupcake decorating for one of my daughter’s birthday cakes and that was a hit with the kids and cost nearly nothing.
- Make and print your own invites using websites
There is a website out there for just about anything these days and it is so simple and easy to make your own invites online to either email or print and give to your kid’s friends.
- Party bag alternatives
Party bags are often a massive cost when it comes to parties. I have always resented buying all of the things for party bags as the cost just keeps going up and I know the kids will play with it for about 10 minutes in the car on the way home and then they will have forgotten about it all within a few hours. I know kids love to get something to take home and there are some fabulous ideas that won’t cost you the earth. For example a $1 giant bubble wand. You can also find another 7 great party bag alternative ideas here.
- Use ideas for party games as the decorations
Similar to the food as decorations idea you can also use party games as decorations as well. Our kids have always loved party games like apple bobbing, the chocolate dress up game, statues, Wii dance, donuts hanging up by strings and them trying to eat them with their hands behind their backs. None of these cost much money and are so fun.
So these are my simple and clever budget birthday party hacks that I hope will help you keep your costs down. It is also worth checking out MyBudget if you are looking for ways to save some money and get ahead. They have helped thousands of Australians stay on top of their bills and expenses and they are even offering one month free using the MyBudget service for all School Mum followers. All you need to do is mention you saw this on SCHOOL MUM when you call up to enquire. You can find out more here …
*Terms and Conditions for My Budget offer:
This promotion is open to Australian residents over the age of 18. MyBudget (ABN 82093118597) reserves the right to verify your residential address. To be eligible for this promotion you must click through the link provided, quote “School Mum” in the initial phone call, qualify for the use of service, attend and complete a budget consultation and sign up to the MyBudget service between 7:00am (ACDT) Monday 28th August 2017 and 7:00pm (ACDT) Saturday 30th September 2017. If you choose to close your MyBudget account within the cooling off period, or if your budget does not start (no income is paid into the MyBudget account by you or your employer(s) within 28 days of the planned start date as shown in your contract) you will not be eligible. Defining a legitimate sign up is at the sole discretion of MyBudget. Eligibility for this promotion is subject to MyBudget qualifying criteria and appointment availability. Current MyBudget clients who signed up to the MyBudget service prior to Monday 28th August 2017 are not eligible for this promotion. MyBudget staff are not eligible for this promotion.
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