Just 10 days ago our baby girl turned 1 (tear). I think we discussed whether or not we were having her a first birthday party since she was 5 months old! I LOVE crafting and planning parties, I'm a big DIY person. My husband on the other hand was not for having a party. He had the same thoughts that other parents have, they won't even remember it. Which is true, the party really is just for everyone else so they can celebrate her birthday. It really is. And I understood that. So we agreed that we would have a party but not spend a lot of money or go overboard.
Well, I stuck to the "not spending" part but I did work myself a little overboard on the decorations and things I wanted to "do myself". However, that is what kept the spending at a minimum so that was a plus. It was A LOT of work but with help from friends and family, it was all possible.
I thought I would share some of the ways I cut cost for the party. I saved all of my receipts and planned to tally up what I spent and the end. However, once the party was over and I had to clean up all of my mess at home, I tossed those babies with all the extra, pom poms, faux grass and paper scraps I had. I didn't even care anymore. I was exhausted! Ha! So, I wish I could give you an exact number of how much I saved but I can't. I just KNOW I saved a lot based on all the deals I found.
Well, I stuck to the "not spending" part but I did work myself a little overboard on the decorations and things I wanted to "do myself". However, that is what kept the spending at a minimum so that was a plus. It was A LOT of work but with help from friends and family, it was all possible.
I thought I would share some of the ways I cut cost for the party. I saved all of my receipts and planned to tally up what I spent and the end. However, once the party was over and I had to clean up all of my mess at home, I tossed those babies with all the extra, pom poms, faux grass and paper scraps I had. I didn't even care anymore. I was exhausted! Ha! So, I wish I could give you an exact number of how much I saved but I can't. I just KNOW I saved a lot based on all the deals I found.
DOLLAR TREE WAS MY BFF!
Boy oh' boy was I lucky. I picked the perfect theme at the perfect time of year. Since Gianna grew so much over the past year and she was born right before Spring, I chose a "Garden" theme. It was perfect timing because all the Easter and Spring items are out on the shelves by February.
In February, I went to Dollar Tree and purchased all the ceramic pots I needed. They sold the mini pots that I used for the dirt cake treats (pictured below) in packs of 3, for $1.00. Plus, all the larger pots and tin pots were only $1.00. As you can see I used the pots for several different things.
The flower chargers that are holding the PB& J sandwiches, $1.00 at Michaels (with 40% off coupon). And those mini chalkboard signs were purchased at Michaels as well, those came in a pack of 2 for $1.99.
The cute "G" chalkboard was something I splurged on and it was on sale at Hobby Lobby for $9.00!
Total cost for this table display and tin pots for the centerpieces was under $45.00. Not bad, right?!
Boy oh' boy was I lucky. I picked the perfect theme at the perfect time of year. Since Gianna grew so much over the past year and she was born right before Spring, I chose a "Garden" theme. It was perfect timing because all the Easter and Spring items are out on the shelves by February.
In February, I went to Dollar Tree and purchased all the ceramic pots I needed. They sold the mini pots that I used for the dirt cake treats (pictured below) in packs of 3, for $1.00. Plus, all the larger pots and tin pots were only $1.00. As you can see I used the pots for several different things.
- Utensil holders
- Dirt Cake treats for the kiddies
- 3- Tier sandwich stand
- Tin pots for the centerpieces
- Cake stand
The flower chargers that are holding the PB& J sandwiches, $1.00 at Michaels (with 40% off coupon). And those mini chalkboard signs were purchased at Michaels as well, those came in a pack of 2 for $1.99.
The cute "G" chalkboard was something I splurged on and it was on sale at Hobby Lobby for $9.00!
Total cost for this table display and tin pots for the centerpieces was under $45.00. Not bad, right?!
PERSONALIZED CHALKBOARDS FOR LESS!
I wanted one of those cute personalized chalkboard signs with her "baby stats" but I did not want to spend $40.00 ordering one from Etsy. Although, I LOVE Etsy, it just wasn't THAT serious. Especially since after the party is over you really don't have much use for it. So, I made one myself.
I bought a black poster board at Dollar Tree ($1.00) and these metallic markers from Target for $6.79. It gave it the same look and feel as a chalkboard and it was easier to use the markers vs. chalk. No chalky mess!
This was my favorite project! It was nice testing my drawing skills and it was nostalgic writing down all the things she can now do as a big girl.
Tip: I made the poster board weeks in advance but I waited to fill in her height, weight and how many teeth she had until a few days before. 3 of her teeth broke thru in a matter of two weeks!
I wanted one of those cute personalized chalkboard signs with her "baby stats" but I did not want to spend $40.00 ordering one from Etsy. Although, I LOVE Etsy, it just wasn't THAT serious. Especially since after the party is over you really don't have much use for it. So, I made one myself.
I bought a black poster board at Dollar Tree ($1.00) and these metallic markers from Target for $6.79. It gave it the same look and feel as a chalkboard and it was easier to use the markers vs. chalk. No chalky mess!
This was my favorite project! It was nice testing my drawing skills and it was nostalgic writing down all the things she can now do as a big girl.
Tip: I made the poster board weeks in advance but I waited to fill in her height, weight and how many teeth she had until a few days before. 3 of her teeth broke thru in a matter of two weeks!
Hosting a first birthday party was a lot of work. There are so many things to factor in and Gianna will only look at pictures and say, "Well that was nice of you!". LOL! I remember my cousin telling me at the party, "Right now, you are probably not happy you decided to have a party (because I was freaking out a little bit) but, in week or so, you will look back at the pictures and be happy you did." She was right.
As I wrote this blog and look back at all the pictures and think back on all the complements, it was totally worth it. She may not remember it but she will see that mommy and daddy had a nice party in celebration of her big day. Plus, all the kids had a nice time!
As I wrote this blog and look back at all the pictures and think back on all the complements, it was totally worth it. She may not remember it but she will see that mommy and daddy had a nice party in celebration of her big day. Plus, all the kids had a nice time!
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or want to share your party ideas, please do in the comments below.
Stay tuned for Part 2 on "How to Keep your Guests Entertained" and more inexpensive decorating tips.
Stay tuned for Part 2 on "How to Keep your Guests Entertained" and more inexpensive decorating tips.