How much do you spend

MrsSR

on LO's birthday party?  Not including the gifts you give him/her.  Just for everything that goes into the party-invites, food, cake, goodie bags, decor, etc.

ktshoff

Maybe around $150?

andyyougoonie

You don't want to know.

ETA: sorry, that should be more like "I don't think about it because I don't want to know".  lol.  It's probably actually like $250-$300.

hmp1

We had DS's first birthday at a party place. It was about $300-$350 total. We are most likely doing his birthday at another party place this year but with less kids so it will be around $200-$250 total.

ougrad1

250 to 300 for actual party.  I've found it's like that if you have it at your home or take it somewhere else.

I did the easy route for the babies second birthday last weekend and we took 17 people for pizza, cake and ice cream and it was 300 bucks at the end of the day. 

ETA-this didn't include the babies outfits or birthday hats.  I didn't do any decorations or party favors.  Poor second and third kids get gipped.   

scoutkate

This year we spent:

$150 on the venue

$60 on food, drinks, and paper product (cupcakes included)

$20 on favors

$75 on a dude in an Elmo costume

So just over $300.  Holy ***, that's depressing.

ETA:  And I didn't even include what I spent on her outfit.

ThePolishHammer

We spent about $250 on her first birthday

MrsSR

I'm spending a ton on DD's 2nd bday.  Just wanted to make sure I was in the norm.  The cake alone is super expensive, plus all the food.  I made the invites and had all the supplies, so luckily that wasn't too bad.

Yikes.

I'm probably around $300-400 already.  Ahhh!

bearfootz

We're borrowing tables, tent, and bouncy house and having it at our house.

Decorations and paper goods - $30

Party favors - $30

Outfits for kids - $30

The bulk of the cost will be the food and drink.  My mom is making cupcakes so we will probably skip buying a cake and my siblings have offered to bring a dish.  Guessing I'll drop about $200 on food/drinks. Maybe more?

Jenn06L80

I spent around $500 for the first birthday.  I had the party at our house.  The bulk of the money went the catering and cake.  It was a small get together of about 15-20 people.   Everything was simple and perfect.  

shortms6

About $100-150.  No more than that and I doubt we will do that much in the future.  

klondikebar

$500+ probably. I love decorating and making a large cake. That takes so much out of me we have catering and cleaners beforehand. So that is a nice chunk. And it really depends on what we do. Years ago I made a life size candyland game. That was pricey. Other times I reuse things or the theme is easier so it's not as much.

SoDoMojo

For LO's 1st bday I spent probably about $150. We just had family and friends over for dinner. When he's older (like maybe 4) I think we'll spend more and do his party at places like the kid's meusum, zoo, Chuck E. Cheese, stuff like that. 

Wufroggy79

$75?  We only do small family only parties at this age though.

ablou

Honestly, I don't know. For both of his birthdays I collected little things that went along with his birthday for months. His 2nd was more expensive than his 1st, because we had it at a bouncy house, and that was pricey.  I like doing his birthday parties, though. It's like designing a show.

megzway

yeah I stock pile as I go along so i never really know. I do know that this year I spent around $150 or more on food. That included the cake. We had 35 people that included 12 kids. Plus the beverages. Decorations, cups, plates, & napkins where all dollar store finds. With everything maybe $200-$250. 

quidditchcapn1120

I think I spent $100 on food, $50 on decorations and party favors, and $30 on his outfit.  I'm sure there were other little costs too, so I'll round up to $200.

MrsGoodkat

We only do small family parties so $50 or less for everything (food, cake, drinks, a few decorations/balloons).

thebubble09

How many people though?  We have a huuuge  family- we spent around 700 all inclusive for 75 family members (yup, close family only...)

jenmom2girls

The cake was 165.00. Dress 50.00. Decorations and party favors 100.00. 

This was for about 15 adults and 8 kids.

racegrrl714

scoutkate:

This year we spent:

$150 on the venue

$60 on food, drinks, and paper product (cupcakes included)

$20 on favors

$75 on a dude in an Elmo costume

So just over $300.  Holy ***, that's depressing.

ETA:  And I didn't even include what I spent on her outfit.

$15 on the venue (park)

$25 on invitations

$150 on decorations, favors and plates/napkins/plasticwear/cups

$45 on her outfit from Etsy (an Abby Cadabby fairy costume/tutu)

and I'm expecting to spend around $200 on food and cake

soooo...  a shameful $435. And I'm the crazy woman who spent $200 on just her gifts. (Little Tikes Playhouse and a V-tech V.Reader) This kid better really love me! LOL

 

Your Favorite Band Sucks

I think I spent around $150 on his first birthday, including everything, even the outfit. I'm a designer, so I was able to save a lot of money by making all of the decorations, designing the invitations and printing the thank you notes myself. 

This year we are ordering a pizza, buying him a cake and singing happy birthday. I might get crazy and throw in a party hat, too. 

ATMmom324

Last year we had a combined 1st Birthday with DDs Great grandfathers 90th birthday party.  It cost about a grand.  This included hall rental and a catered buffet for 80 people.  Not your typical birthday party.  No way it would have been that big if it hadn't been combined.  I think if it had been just her 2-3 hundred.  I figure about 150 for food and drinks.  Then decorations, invites, games, and goody bags.  That stuff adds up fast.

racegrrl714

Your Favorite Band Sucks:

I think I spent around $150 on his first birthday, including everything, even the outfit. I'm a designer, so I was able to save a lot of money by making all of the decorations, designing the invitations and printing the thank you notes myself. 

This year we are ordering a pizza, buying him a cake and singing happy birthday. I might get crazy and throw in a party hat, too. 

I said we were doing this after last year's party. And I only went crazier.

suv75

I don't have exact total but about $2,200 or so. About 90 people (all family and close friends), food, venue, decorations, thank you cards, invites and kiddie train. First bdays are huge in my culture. All other bdays will be low key and at home with only immediate family.

insertclevername

We spent over $500 on a first birthday party, which was absolutely ridiculous. I thought we were skipping a second birthday party because we booked a cruise, but DH has been talking about a second birthday party. If we do have a party I don't want to spend more than $200.