How much $$ do you think is reasonable to spend on 1st bday?

Useonfire · August 2010

I'm trying to come up with an appropriate budget...
[Poll]

vml14 · August 2010

I think it really depends on what type of party you are throwing, but I said $200-400, and for me, that includes our gifts for the LO. We decided to have a small, family only party (10 adults, 5 kids under 5). I personally can't see the sense in spending many hundreds of dollars on a party for my 1 year old. There are plenty of years to go crazy.... for me, this is not one of them. But, I know for some people, it is. To each their own.

We spent about $80 on paper products/invites/decorations/balloons/theme items, I expect to spend $100 or so on food/beer. We're also getting our LO the Pottery Barn Anywhere chair and a few other gifts, so that will put us somewhere around $300. Which I actually think is too much... I can't imagine what people who are having larger parties and the money they spend. AHHH!

steve&heather · August 2010

We're probably going to spend in the $200 range. We're planning a very small party at home so the bulk of that money will go toward gifts and food. It'll be *maybe* 11 people at the most (including all 4 of us). so we're just going to grill out some burger and hot dogs then have cake.

nancyandnate · August 2010

We spent much more than I planned and I refuse to add it up! LOL The party itself was probably $300-400 with food, decor and beverages. Wasn't sure if you were asking just about the party or gifts too?

Mskharis · August 2010

I will spend a bout 150 on food, 150 on decorations, and 250 on entertainment. I know most people think the entertainment is a waste but I have to entertain the other kids and I'm not good at games. Plus I like to go all out whether she remembers it or not.

MrsDCruz · August 2010

Hopefully I can keep it under $500... I tend to go crazy at Christmas and Birthdays for my niece and nephew, I can only imagine what its going to be like with my DS.... Watch out mall/party supply stores here I come!!!!!!

MrsPatterson · August 2010

I refuse to spend one penny over $200. I just can't justify throwing a huge bash for DS when he won't even remember it, especially when it only gets harder from here to get away with cheap birthday parties. Although I confess, I do plan on getting a professional cake that matches our theme, which will probably end up being like half the budget. (And ladies, feel free to verbally kick my butt when you realize that I've spent like $500 on this party.)

roundtheworldgirl · August 2010

We're having a very small party - just family and a couple friends with babies. The party won't cost much at all. I haven't figured out what we're getting for DD, but it will probably be $100 or less in gifts and then some money for the college account. We're going to be those annoying parents who don't give our baby lots of presents, and instead put money in the college account

ENev · August 2010

I checked $200-$400 - I don't know how much it'll all cost, but I hope to keep it in that range!

We're having 35-40 people, at home, heavy hors d'oevres and cake. Decorations, cake, ice cream, beverages, all the food, DS's gifts ... we're not going to get him anything major, since he'll be getting so many gifts!

But re: alcohol - if we are going to add alcohol, I'm going cheap - Two Buck Chuck and Miller Lite!

lkstor · August 2010

I don't know how much we spent. We didn't have a party, but went on a mini vacation and stayed in a hotel... Went out to eat, etc... But obviously your b-day budget is going to vary based on amount of expendable income, KWIM?

cmbrown · August 2010

We probably spent about $200. We had about 40 adults and 10 kids at our house. We had Little Ceasers Pizza, sodas, chips and dip, veggies. We also did some beer and wine. I think we spent about $50 on decorations and favors for the kids. $50 on pizzas. I made the cakes and my friend decorated them. We also just got DD small bday presents, she got SOO much from everyone else.

Addicted2thenot · August 2010

We went big with DS # 1s birthday. No budget , just got whatever we wanted & invited everyone! We had it catered, with servers, a bartender, a custom cake from same bakery that did our wedding cake, & fabulous decor. Looking back I know we went overboard ... But I would not change a thing. I don't think we will ever do a party that big again . I will say that ever since that event, if we have large parties at our house we always hire help so that DH & I can enjoy the party.

smileychic10986 · August 2010

I checked between 200-400, but that is probably what we will spend, but in the end it will be more... It is going to be at the Italian American Sports Club here, with catering, but that won't cost us anything b/c FIL is the President there. I think we will go all out, professional cake and all that - it will be a big celebration of how far LO has come since her birth. I know she won't remember it, and it will be more fun for us, but it means a lot considering her tiny beginnings.

If we couldn't get free catering and building though, we would probably do something a little smaller, at our house or grandparents house.

Rachel&Joe · August 2010

we had a huge ridiculous party for DD--it's embarrassing to say but we did spend over $1k. our DD has overcome so many odds & is so amazing & we had a really huge party to celebrate. totally worth it imo.

kellieok · August 2010

We are having a big 1st birthday party but that is a tradition here in Hawaii... Plus it doesn't help that DS is the first grandchild on both sides of the family...

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