Your son or daughter’s birthday is approaching and you want to organize a fun-filled party, but you don’t want to go overboard. With designer cakes from boutique bakeries, themed decorations, loot bags and food, it has the potential to be an expensive event. Top it off with an out-of-the-house excursion like bowling or the movies and you’re easily looking at a few hundred dollars.
You can still throw a memorable, exciting party without pulling out all of the expensive stops. Follow our ideas for a bash that won’t blow your budget:
Limit the guest list. There are some families that invite everyone in their child’s class. While you don’t want anyone to feel left out, limit it to your son or daughter’s close friends. Consider the type of party you’re having before you send out the invites: if it’s a sleepover, you may want to keep it between 4 and 6 friends, but if you’re going to be playing a lot of team activities and games, you may want 8 to 10.
Bake the cake yourself. There’s nothing like a homemade cake. If you don’t have time to bake it from scratch, buy your favourite cake mix and you will still have a delicious, moist cake or cupcakes. To decorate, use your child’s favourite candy or make a shaped cake using a special pan or a pattern. Use a piping bag to write a message on the cake with the icing to give it the special store-bought feel.
Stay at home. Plan the party around activities that can be carried out in your home or backyard. If you do want to leave the boundaries of your home, consider hosting the party in a nearby park where you’ll have more room without the expense. Arrange a craft or a series of games like relays, obstacle courses, treasure hunts or water balloon tosses.
For all of your decorations as well as pre-made loot bags, discover Parties Plus. From invitations to balloons, paper plates to streamers and piñatas, you’ll find everything you need to stock up on for the party from their wide selection. Visit them at 620 Scottsdale Drive, call them at 519-766-9535 or check out partiesplus.ca.