Budget Party Planning at Birthday in a Box

Parties Under $100

Celebrate in style without breaking the bank! With our inexpensive party supplies and some do-it-yourself ideas, you can throw a perfect party for your little one and seven of their friends - and spend less than $100! Need help budgeting? Our Party Budget Estimator does all the work for you!

5 Ways to Cut Costs Without Cutting Value:

1. Hold the party at home.

2. Avoid traditional meal times by holding the party between 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and only serve dessert.

3. Bake your own cake (or cupcakes) instead of purchasing premade treats.

4. Make and hand deliver your own invitations, or send electronic invites.

5. Ask a favorite babysitter or family member to help with games and activities instead of hiring an entertainer.

Additional Ideas

Partyware

Start with our Standard Party Kit, which includes plates, cups, napkins, and more for 8 people, starting at affordable prices. Or, consider using theme-matching partyware for the most important items, such as the cake plates, and less expensive solid colors for the other items, such as napkins and cups.

					Party Favors You can plan activities for your party that can also double as inexpensive party favors. Here are some suggestions. • Bake and decorate sugar cookies • Make marbleized paper • Make rainbow pasta necklaces • Create Pet Rocks
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Invitations

Quality invitations can be easily and inexpensively created with some construction paper and a little creativity. For example, for a farm party, cut out the shape of a barn and cut double doors in the middle so they actually open. Paste the barn onto another piece of paper. Print the party details on the page underneath, so they are revealed when the barn doors are opened.

Games & Activities

Save on games and activities by using things you already have in your house or playing outdoor games that only require a safe place for the children to play. Here are some game suggestions that cost close to nothing:

• Freeze Tag: Change this game to fit your theme. For example, you can play Wicked Queen Freeze tag at a princess or knight party. • Sweet Shoppe Bingo: Print our free full color bingo cards and award candy as prizes. • Limbo: All you need is a broomstick to play this classic game. • Nature Scavenger Hunt: Send everyone outside to see what they can find.
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Cake

Traditional cake mix and frosting can become a theme-perfect cake with a little imagination! Our Cake Ideas page includes a variety of suggestions to get your creative juices flowing. Or try individual cupcakes instead of a full-sized cake to cut down cost.

If you would rather not serve cake at your party, consider serving cookies and ice cream instead.
Try our Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe or Nanaberry Smoothie Recipe to start.

Food

Try to make as much of the party food yourself, or enlist the help of friends and family. Veggie trays and fruit trays are less expensive when you prepare them yourself. Add pizzazz to popcorn by letting guests add toppings of cinnamon, powdered cheese, salt & pepper, or chocolate sprinkles.

Decorations

Make the most out of the decorations that are included in your Standard Party Kit, and supplement them with basic latex balloons. Form a canopy by draping the streamers from the center of the ceiling out to the walls. Tie balloons in bunches of three and tie them to the backs of chairs. Utilize items you already have for other inexpensive party decorations. For example, when throwing a farm party, decorate with your child's animal figurines and stuffed animals.

Browse through our Party Ideas Section for more theme-specific ideas, including invitations, games, activities, and crafts, for your next party!