How much do you think is enough to spend on your child's birthday party? Do you feel pressure to lavish lots of money on a do? How much do you think is enough to spend on hiring a venue, party bags etc. Do you think it's important your child has a big party. Or do you think he or she is happier with, say, a trip to the cinema with a few friends. Read our great piece on The Cost Of Children's Parties. What are your tips for cutting costs? Ed
Do not do party bags...Really no need they have come to your house to celebrate your child's birthday, they have had games, food and fun. send them home with cake only and perhaps a balloon. Most of the mums I know hate the rubbish in the party bags anyway. I was the first to boycott them in my area now am one of many....
You're bang on about the party bags, Melliemum. I also throw away most of the contents. We've also been sent home with a book and a fuzzy felt - both we still have - much better but more expensive option. What happened to a good old-fashioned piece of cake and a balloon?!
Instead of buying expensive cakes and biscuits, get a two litre block of ice cream, a few bags of mini marshmallows and some marzipan. Mould the ice cream into a round shape and cover with the marshmallows, make the marzipan into a head shape and 4 legs and stick them on. There you have a tortoise that the kids love and you can prepare before hand and keep in the freezer. It is lovely and cheap!
