Budget Party Ideas To Beat The Credit Crunch!

Budget party ideas are a godsend in this financial climate. Many of us can no longer afford top of the range parties costing hundreds of pounds.

Or we can no longer justify paying top dollar for a couple of party plates, just because they have a certain character on them.

So how can we still throw a Pink Heaven style party on a minimum budget? Easy!

Try some, or all, of these Pink Heaven Party Angel cost cutting party tips!

The number one rule for budget party ideas is to decide on a budget and stick to it! Whatever your budget, it is possible to create an amazing party.

HINT - Don't forget to use the party planning checklists to keep on top of your budget.

VENUE

When deciding whether or not to have the party at home or in a party venue try to evaluate the cost per head and see which one works out cheapest.

A party venue where you pay a set fee for each child may prove to be less expensive than hosting a party at home, where you have to buy endless party supplies and provide a food and entertainment. But only if you have a small number of children, it may be far more cost efficient to host your party at home if you plan on inviting a lot of guests.

To work out the cost per head of a party at home make a list of everything you will need to buy and total up the amount. Then divide that amount by the number of people your thinking of inviting. Simple!

You may have a lot of guests attending but don't have room for them all in your home or garden. If this is the case why not look into hiring a church hall, community center or even the back room of a restaurant.

Look around your local area and gain recommendations from others. There may be places that you haven't though of that have a large room that can be hired out for a small fee and then you can still provide the food and entertainment in line with your own budget party ideas.

party table

INVITATIONS

Invitations can be easily created on your home computer using a publishing or word processing program and printed out for each guest.

A good tip is to try and fit a few invitations on one piece of paper to save wasted paper.

Also if you can't find any clip art to match your theme why not use a photo of the birthday girl! You can then experiment with fonts and layouts to make your own unique budget party ideas invites.

If you want to make some free but professional looking invites then the Pink Heaven Party Angel recommends creating extraordinary free digital invitations in minutes at Smilebox.com! You can even add your own photos, video clips and music.

DECORATIONS

When decorating your venue, whether it be at home or not, think less is more. Yes, you may be able to go to a party store and buy every single decoration available for your theme but will people notice?

It is easy to fall into the trap of purchasing everything you see, I can vouch for that! But if you are on a budget tone down the decorations, most kids (or adults!) won't even notice the decorations so a few birthday banners may be all you need.

If you do want to decorate the party room in your chosen theme then why not try making some decorations at home or use some decorations you already have.

An example of this would be if you are hosting a princess party try covering the birthday princesses 'throne' in a pale pink sheet, use feather boas, crowns and wands that you probably have in a dressing up box as decorations and make a tablecloth from a roll of shimmering pink paper. You can buy some cheap gems and glitter from your local craft store to add some extra sparkle!

The same goes for table decorations. Plain paper plates are far cheaper than themed party supplies with white plates coming in packs of 100 for the same price as 8 themed plates!

You can also buy colored paper plates, cups and other table ware for hardly anything. You may also have some plastic plates at home which you can use for presenting the food on instead of expensive foil plates.

Or Why not try ? They have some great bargain party ideas!

PARTY FOOD

For budget party food ideas look for offers in your local supermarket such as buy one get one free, 3 for 2s or multipacks.

Also, do you really need top branded food? Try the supermarkets own range, especially for a kids party where they won't even notice.

Catering for a party may seem like hard work but if you get friends and family to chip in and you'll have plenty of party food in no time.

If your strapped for cash bake your own cake at a fraction of the cost. Visit Pink Heaven's birthday cake recipes for some birthday cake ideas.

ENTERTAINMENT

Party entertainment can also be done with budget party ideas. Play some of yours, or your child's, favorite CDs and DVDs. You can even get some of the adults to dress up as a favourite character for a kids party such as a princess.

Try a scavenger hunt or pass the parcel with some pocket money toys as prizes to keep kids entertained along with a dressing up box full of your old clothes. While teens are happy to have some popcorn and pizza whilst watching a movie.

FAVORS

Can't afford expensive party favors? Pick up some cheap pocket money toys along with large sweet multi packs that can be shared amongst the favor bags.

Or even get the guests making their own favors such as photo frames, crown and wands or personalize wine glasses using glass paint.

Get into the kitchen and get making cookies or gingerbread men!

When you put your mind to it the budget party ideas will come thick and fast.

Creating your party yourself from scratch using budget party ideas instead of buying expensive party supplies will also make sure that you have the most unique Pink Heaven Party Angel party in town!

Remember, if you can't find what you are looking for here then why not ask the Pink Heaven Party Angel, who is there to answer all your party questions. Or why not help others with their party planning problems by answering their questions!

Then once you've thrown your party let everyone know about it at YOUR parties, readers can then rate your party and give their comments. Your party could then help others searching for the perfect party idea, whilst giving your ideas the fame they deserve!

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