Kids birthday party budget

[Roxanna30135]

What to you usually budget for your kids birthday parties?

[Anastasia]

Usually I spend about $50 in total, I make their cake from scratch and decorate it anyway they want, I buy decorations at a party supply store ususally they've been discounted up to 80% off so that's not alot, I do make up little treat bags and I plan lots of games for them to do. LAst year I had free pizza coupons so I used that for both theboys party....I think with all the free things and stuff form the discount store I only spent $25 for each party....the kids are always asking when Alex and Kyle will be having their parties because I do fun games like dunking for apples, hot potatoe, decorate pumpkins, pumpkin bowling things like that....almost all of the stuff I already have because Alex's birthday is 3 days before Halloween and Kyles's is the same week as Thanksgiving.......

[Elaine]

Never over $150 for the party and about $100 for gifts (which will probably have to go up as my kids get older but for now it is fine)

Next week we are taking Zach to the zoo
$30 for admission
$20 for gas
$10 for packed lunch
$10 for cold drinks or icecream

That night we are having pizza and cake at a friend's house so
$15 for storebought cake
$40 for pizza
---------
about $125 for Zach's 2nd birthday

[Anastasia]

Oh I didn't count presents....they ususally get 1 present form us, one that they really really want so that can be anything from $20-$60 for a present. Sometimes they do get a couple small presents like cars or somethhing like that but around here the party is part of the present and its always been that way so they are used to not getting much for their birthdays....their birthdays are so close to Christmas that I can't get them alot otherwise Iwouldn't know what to get them for Christmas

[Roxanna30135]

Last year we ended up spending about $325 for Kirstie-Raie's birthday, around $325 for Chase's and $300 for Kales ... not including presents!

I'm planning Chase's right now and having a hard time finding a place to hold it that will be exciting for a 12 year old and his friends!

[Anastasia]

WOW! I thought I was spending alot of money on the boys party!!!!!!!! Do you have a paint ball or lazer tag place around your area, my nephew's had theirs there and it was a blast, just a thought.

[Roxanna30135]

Great idea!! I'm thinking about either a murder mystery swimming party or a rock climbing party!

[AnnieQ]

I have to say we do not really budget either when it comes to Alisha. I about with Roxanna when we do big things. This year is different when Oct comes Alisha is only allowed two or three friends and that is it. Until her 16th birthday and then Dad and I are going to throw a whammy of a party for Sweet 16.

[mamawolf]

We never really have a lot of money for parties....somehow we scrape a party together (usually with help from my family) and it always turns out really fun!

This year, we have already started saving for Jessica's Sweet 16, we want it to be really special

[AnnieQ]

That will be so neat Shelia. Make sure you post about the sweet 16 party, I love to hear what you are doing and get ideas.