Cheaper parties?

Mrs.RockyM · August 2013

For those of you who plan to have cheaper parties (under $500) where do you plan to have them? Just wondering since the biggest cost is since we're doing it at a restaurant, figure $18 per person, $10 for kids - we're kind of at a loss for what to do. I'd rather not spend all that money if I don't have to, but I'm not sure we have many other options. We're at 36 or so adults and maybe 20 kids.

Mrs_Lady · August 2013

our home and we're not have that many people probably less than 10 kids under all under age 6

GraysMama104 · August 2013

We aren't able to have ours at home either and aren't able to afford a restaurant like his christening again, so we're looking at Fire Halls....seems to be the only other option.

lady dixneuf · August 2013

I plan on having like cupcakes at home.

this is a kid's first birthday party not a state function.

Cbeanz · August 2013

I'm ordering a cake and buying invitations and party hats. Hoping in-laws will bring appetizers. That's about it.

GraysMama104 · August 2013

lady dixneuf said:

I plan on having like cupcakes at home.
this is a kid's first birthday party not a state function.

would love to do that, but again, we literally only have room for the three of us....and even that is tight. We don't even have a dining room or dining room table

Mrs.RockyM · August 2013

GraysMama104 said:

lady dixneuf said:

I plan on having like cupcakes at home.
this is a kid's first birthday party not a state function.

would love to do that, but again, we literally only have room for the three of us....and even that is tight. We don't even have a dining room or dining room table

We just bought a new house, and I don't think we have the space for all the guests. Plus I don't really want all those kids running around inside my house. Our guest list is close friends and family only and even then that's close to 50 people with all the kids. I don't want to spend a fortune, but unless I can find a cheaper venue, I don't know what other options I have. There are no fire halls around here, and the community centers charge $700 for a 5 hour minimum.

Petunia844 · August 2013

Geez- I signed on to say hello and I'm getting sucked in....only during this one nap! Ha! Ok anyways... we're doing ours at my parent's house because we're in a tiny apartment right now. I designed my own invites and plan to make appetizers myself. I bought a bunch of cake pops in a charity auction so those will be dessert. I will have cute decorations and things but I'm doing it myself- I'm also a huge party planner nerd.... was obsessed with planning my wedding. So to me it's fun to do it all. I just have to see what crafts I can squeeze into nap times!

GraysMama104 · August 2013

Mrs.RockyM said:

would love to do that, but again, we literally only have room for the three of us....and even that is tight. We don't even have a dining room or dining room table

We just bought a new house, and I don't think we have the space for all the guests. Plus I don't really want all those kids running around inside my house. Our guest list is close friends and family only and even then that's close to 50 people with all the kids. I don't want to spend a fortune, but unless I can find a cheaper venue, I don't know what other options I have. There are no fire halls around here, and the community centers charge $700 for a 5 hour minimum.

yea, that really stinks. It leaves you with almost no options. I hope you are able to make something work!!! Good luck!

navyandviolet · August 2013

For DD we had a red party at our house. We invited the family only and had everyone wear red. That was her favorite color. For DS1 it was a balloon party (at the house) We blew up as many balloons as we could and invited family. For DD and DS1 2nd we dressed up their favorite stuffed animals in party hats and had a party with us only. FOr DD's third she had a dress up party with her very best friends (a boy too) They feel it was special because you will make it special for them. The money spent wont mean a thing to them.

navyandviolet · August 2013

GraysMama104 said:

Mrs.RockyM said:

would love to do that, but again, we literally only have room for the three of us....and even that is tight. We don't even have a dining room or dining room table

We just bought a new house, and I don't think we have the space for all the guests. Plus I don't really want all those kids running around inside my house. Our guest list is close friends and family only and even then that's close to 50 people with all the kids. I don't want to spend a fortune, but unless I can find a cheaper venue, I don't know what other options I have. There are no fire halls around here, and the community centers charge $700 for a 5 hour minimum.

yea, that really stinks. It leaves you with almost no options. I hope you are able to make something work!!! Good luck!

Check out senior centers. some friends of our has their son's at one and it was really manageable money wise.

chricast · August 2013

I was just looking at local pumpkin patches, they cost about $200 for a 2 1/2 hour party includes hayride, pumpkin picking and covered or indoor party area. Since they are October babies seems to fit appropriately

tiffmatt · August 2013

My sister has a bigger house, so we're having it in her basement. Same place we had my baby shower.

[Deleted User] · August 2013

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Cbeanz · August 2013

I've been to parties at restaurants where they will order a bunch of appetizers and whatever food you order after that is up to you.

Also, if you have a friend or relative in an HOA neighborhood, they might have access to a clubhouse you could reserve. Someone might have already mentioned this...

Ziegeficker · August 2013

navy&violet said:

For DD we had a red party at our house. We invited the family only and had everyone wear red. That was her favorite color. For DS1 it was a balloon party (at the house) We blew up as many balloons as we could and invited family. For DD and DS1 2nd we dressed up their favorite stuffed animals in party hats and had a party with us only. FOr DD's third she had a dress up party with her very best friends (a boy too) They feel it was special because you will make it special for them. The money spent wont mean a thing to them.

I agree with this...In fact, when I think back to my parties, the only parts I remember were the time spent with Mom making cupcakes or Rice Krispy treats or whatever and the sleepover part. Decor or themes did not once matter at all to me. It's awesome if you're loving planning it, but it blows my mind that people are spending a grand on a one year old's party (I got a used car for just over twice that -- a car!) regardless of how much money you have in your bank account.

But....shrug. I blame Pinterest for ruining our lives.

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