How can I save money on my sons 1st b-day party?

Question

My sons going to be 1 on June 13th and I have a guest list for about 60 people and I have little to no money to spend my Parents are helping me out for a gift to my son and me with the party but they dont have a lot of money either how can I save and whats a cheap way to have a nice dinner there??? PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Make sure you take lots of pictures! ... and make a small cake just for your son:)   You can make nice cupcakes for everyone with mixes (beat them at least 3 min, and they'll be really good) ....  Assuming it's mostly family, perhaps everyone can bring a side dish or appetizer?    The cheapest dinner would be Mac & Cheese (which the kids would love) and Spaghetti, with a green salad...and make cupcakes.  Let everyone else bring the rest of the food:)  .......  Let the kids play in the sprinkler, or water balloons & give them the boxes from the gifts (or empty big cartons, if you have any) and some balls to play with; and the adults will be happy to mingle and watch the kids' antics:)  .....  Don't stress:)  No one expects an elaborate "soiree"....

Answer 2

You can usually find cute decorations at places like the dollar store or wal-mart.  Since he's only 1, you could go with a solid color instead of the cutesy character decorations, which are generally more expensive.

If possible, you or someone else can make the cake.  Purchase the large 3-gallon buckets of ice cream.  If planning on serving food, keep it simple like chicken salad sandwiches or hot dogs.  Buy in bulk, it's always cheaper.

The truth is, the party is more for the adults than the kids b/c he is too little to understand it all.  Your son would have the same fun if you spend $100 or $10,000!!!

Answer 3

if ur having it at your house

my brother had a graduation party with like 200 people

we ordered Famous Daves i dont know if theres one in you area but you can check! its great food for a reasonable price you can also ask for donnation ...and its not embarssing too :)

Answer 4

shop at walmart the prices are good .you can pick up the party supplies that you need there and if you go to a walmart super center then you can buy the food there too . i do not know if the make cakes there but you can ask them if the have a bakery. shop around for prices for the cake first before you order it. that is a lot of people. maybe you want to cut back on your guest list. you can also get part supplies at dollar stores. walmart has a send out the pictures box and it takes about three days but the prices are good if you take a lot of pictures. good luck.

Answer 5

He's one and has no concept of b-day's, celebrations, or acknowledgements of any kind.  So- the party is really for the parents, not a baby who doesn't have a clue.  Cut the guest list by as much as possible, and buy in bulk.  I wouldn't even bother with decorations, and buy cheap paper goods at the dollar store or Target.

Answer 6

Pasta, salad and bread does not cost much money and it's yummy! Also make a few different kinds of cakes, decorate with things from the dollar store, they have different characters that you can use for a topper!

Maybe you could ask some of your close family or friends to bring something. I had some very close friends who were have a hard time and I was asked to bring a salad. I was so happy to help!

It will all work out!

Answer 7

60 people?? if you want to save money.. forget about 50 of them...

a 1 year old kid will be overwhelmed and realistically they dont need any party.. the party is more for you than for the kid..

have a pot luck if anything?

Answer 8

Well if a lot of the guests our family ask everyone to bring something. I do thanksgiving at my house and to help woth the cost every brings a dish. Someone brings a salad, vegables, ect. Many people offer so if they offer take it! Ask them what they might want to make. Or if you wanted to make something yourself pasta is a cheap but nice dinner. Hope this helps!

Answer 9

Your son is 1, he doesn't need a big fan fare. The party is going to end up being for the grownups. The  biggest deal to a 1 year old would be having a little smash cake to get mucky with (for photographs). So don't stress about having to go all out. Have a few streamers and a cake along with a smash cake (miniature version of the main cake that the 1 year old can get into).

Answer 10

A one year old does not need a party with 60 people.

He is going to be so overwhelmed and will not know what is going on.  

If you have already committed to that large of a party have an open house with sandwiches or or appetizer type stuff.  Have a decorated birthday cake and then some decorated cupcakes that people can take and eat.

Don't go crazy.

Answer 11

Everytime you make a little bit of cash, put some away.

And make yourself NOT spend it.

You can also put party supplies at places like to dollar store to save on costs.

Good luck :)

Answer 12

make it a back yard fun.. bbq burgers and dogs.. and the cake make urself.. and the sides potatoe salad and chips and make punch for all.. using kool aide and 7up .. shop dollar tree for decorations and food go to a wal mart or gorcery outlet.. saves u bucks and for buns go to day old bakery.. good luck

Answer 13

he won't remember what happens or how you decorate since he is so young. stick to cheap balloons and streamers, dollar store party hats

don't give favor bags.

for a cheap meal... do chicken nuggets and fries for the kids. buy in bulk at the grocery store or super store near you.

for the adults- order pizza or make pizza breads

half a loaf of italian bread, half the halfs

spread a lil butter on the bread, spread pasta or pizza sauce over that...

add toppings and cheese. bake till melted and gooey

super cheap and tasty!!!

Answer 14

6  money saving tips

1.ask some of your closest friends and family to make something for the party

2.dont buy a cake make a cake !!=)

3.get regular paper plates and cups not the character ones

4 Time the celebration for mid-afternoon, between lunch and dinner. If you hold the party when people are likely to have full stomachs, you can skip serving a full meal and get away with having just snacks and birthday cake.

5.Combine favors with a party activity Let kids make something fun that they can take home instead of a goody bag. make silly hats to wear during the party and take home later. Nearly any craft can be turned into a favor.

6. Invite people over the phone, in person, or by email instead of buying paper invitations.

Answer 15

Dony worry. Everyone else will pick up the tabs.

Answer 16

make everything out of styrofoam and cookies

Answer 17

I'm not trying to be snarky but the first thing that struck me was the size of the guest list.  For a first birthday that he won't even remember...could you cut this down somehow, or is it too late?

Also, I don't know where you live, but summer barbecues can be thrown together with limited cost.  Start looking now for hot dogs and burgers that are on sale and freeze it.

Closer to the event, put together fruit and veggie platters with items on sale.  Use paper plates, etc.

The side dishes are inexpensive as well.  Canned baked beans are really good and you can dress them up by adding extra onions, garlic, molasses - whatever you want.  And there's tons of good potato salad recipes on the net.  The basics are just mayo and potatoes.

For the cake, make a couple from mixed but you can play around with the frosting - maybe add a bit of blue food coloring.   And then put cute toy decorations on top.