Budget Birthday Party for DS

[Honeystar120608]

Hello neighbours!
I would love some advice. DS turns 4 Dec 19th. We are flying to DW Dec 13th flying home Dec 19th. So we are enroute on his bday. No biggie. But I need to plan his bday party for Dec 6-7th. This will be the weekend before we fly out.
I usually have a sort of Christmas party to get all the parents and kids together. Make a caseroles, Chili, Meatballs all from scratch along with all the Christmas baked goods. I have no problems really doing this again. I am a stay at home mom and can prepare a few days in advance.

Main issue is cost.

At the Superstore up the road they have a special (given they still have this special then) where you get an 18" pizza of 4 toppings (good toppings at that!) and an 18" Garlic Finger for $11.99. The slices are huge and therefore can be sliced in half. I don't mind how many people eat...dont get me wrong, i just don't want to waste neither. To feed everyone... I am going to guess that I will need 3 orders, with an attempt at getting a GF as a pep pizza. So about $ 40 plus drinks and cake.
Are there any cheaper ways around this?? lol

Also, he is turning 4, all the kids will be about his age and younger. Our place isn't big at all. (semi dettach) Perfect size for all 4 of us, but when we get 11-15 adults plus the kids running around. There is NO ROOM! So I don't know what games.

My problem is, until now, they were too young to do games and have prizes. If I do games, do I give prizes to all of the kids becuase they are all young. ANd what games do I play with limited space? Of course I will have loot bags.

I have no idea... last year I had cookie decorating. You can buy the kits at Costco. But it was at my parents house, and I don't want the mess here lmao: ) I have a nice big coffee table which the kids have already abused, I can have colouring and stickers and stuff. Not a game, but something to keep the occupied.

His theme is anything Disney. I have the plates and napkins... I will continue to pick things up as I go. (more so once DIsney is paid off next pay )

I don't know what to do. I need help!

 

[amw]

My problem is, until now, they were too young to do games and have prizes. If I do games, do I give prizes to all of the kids becuase they are all young. ANd what games do I play with limited space? Of course I will have loot bags.

I have no idea... last year I had cookie decorating. You can buy the kits at Costco. But it was at my parents house, and I don't want the mess here lmao: ) I have a nice big coffee table which the kids have already abused, I can have colouring and stickers and stuff. Not a game, but something to keep the occupied.

His theme is anything Disney. I have the plates and napkins... I will continue to pick things up as I go. (more so once DIsney is paid off next pay )

I don't know what to do. I need help!

OK ... I've always had house parties for my DDs, so I'll try to answer your questions.

I usually pick a Disney theme and have some music playing while guests arrive. When they arrive, I usually have them decorate lunch bags, or store bought plain gift bags. Peel off stickers work best on that age rather than glue, and even markers can get messy (I would have already pre-written their names on the bags). These bags will be put against a wall, and used to carry any prizes, candy, crafts they may get.

Depending on the size of kids, I may split the group -- sending one to the kitchen with my husband to do a basic craft, and the other half with me to do some games and then we switch. I keep a small basket with dollar prizes per game. I always have a small square of stickers for all the kids who don't win ... so they know everyone is getting something for each game. (I learned that after the first year )

The groups switch between game and craft, then it's usually food time. If there's time afterwards, I can put the theme video on in the basement and depending on the age, I set up other unsupervised activities down there for kids who can't sit still for TV -- colouring sheets, blocks, stc.

I have girls, but have had some co-ed parties. Here are a few ideas:

DD5 - I had a Prince & Princess party. Kids made their own birthday crowns when they arrived. The craft was licorice necklace with fruit loops, and something else I can't remember (?!) Some games included "pin-the-flag onthe castle."

DD6 - Peter Pan & Tinkerbell party. I pre-made felt Peter Pan hats as party hats. This kind of had a pirate theme. They decorated small wooden treasure boxes, decorated paper towel rolls as telescopes, made treasure maps out of crumbled craft paper. They had a treasure hunt, and games such as "pick-up-feathers", walk the plank, pass-the-cannon-ball, follow the leader, musical clouds, etc.

DD7 - Fairy party (all girls). They decorated mini-bird houses as fairy homes, and made fairies out of wooden pegs and coffee filters. They had Fairy wings and flower rings in their hair. We made sprinkle cookies for that party. All-girl parties can be a lot more quiet.

DD8 - Kim Possible Spy party. They were all spies-in-training and had to pass various tests by the bad guys to gather the "gear" needed for their spy kit.

This one might be good for December:
My other DD6 - Lilo & Stitch Luau (it was March). This was all-girls but could easily be adapted to a "Stitch" boy party. I had dollar-store grass skirts and flower rings in their hair ... leis could be used for the boys. I found a website that translated their names into Hawaiian and I put nametags on the kids. They also made the licorice/fruit loops necklace. The other craft was a small paper box that they glued seashells on. We had the soundtrack playing, and they played pinned-the-flower on Lilo, Freeze hula dance, musical flowers, hot coconut, etc. They had fruit kabobs with the cake.

There's a wonderful website with many theme ideas for home parties:
http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/party_ideas.html

I'm sure there are lots of Clubhouse Mickey ideas out there for the younger set. Have fun with whatever you do. I found the kids were always so excited because it was a rarety to have house parties now-a-days.

 

[Honeystar120608]

OK ... I've always had house parties for my DDs, so I'll try to answer your questions.

I usually pick a Disney theme and have some music playing while guests arrive. When they arrive, I usually have them decorate lunch bags, or store bought plain gift bags. Peel off stickers work best on that age rather than glue, and even markers can get messy (I would have already pre-written their names on the bags). These bags will be put against a wall, and used to carry any prizes, candy, crafts they may get.

Depending on the size of kids, I may split the group -- sending one to the kitchen with my husband to do a basic craft, and the other half with me to do some games and then we switch. I keep a small basket with dollar prizes per game. I always have a small square of stickers for all the kids who don't win ... so they know everyone is getting something for each game. (I learned that after the first year )

The groups switch between game and craft, then it's usually food time. If there's time afterwards, I can put the theme video on in the basement and depending on the age, I set up other unsupervised activities down there for kids who can't sit still for TV -- colouring sheets, blocks, stc.

I have girls, put have had some co-ed parties. Here are a few ideas:

DD5 - I had a Prince & Princess party. Kids made their own birthday crowns when they arrived. The craft was licorice necklace with fruit loops, and something else I can't remember (?!) Some games included "pin-the-flag onthe castle."

DD6 - Peter Pan & Tinkerbell party. I pre-made felt Peter Pan hats as party hats. This kind of had a pirate theme. They decorated small wooden treasure boxes, decorated paper towel rolls as telescopes, made treasure maps out of crumbled craft paper. They had a treasure hunt, and games such as "pick-up-feathers", walk the plank, pass-the-cannon-ball, follow the leader, musical clouds, etc.

DD7 - Fairy party (all girls). They decorated mini-bird houses as fairy homes, and made fairies out of wooden pegs and coffee filters. They had Fairy wings and flower rings in their hair. We made sprinkle cookies for that party. All-girl parties can be a lot more quiet.

DD8 - Kim Possible Spy party. They were all spies-in-training and had to pass various tests by the bad guys to gather the "gear" needed for their spy kit.

This one might be good for December:
My other DD6 - Lilo & Stitch Luau (it was March). This was all-girls but could easily be adapted to a "Stitch" boy party. I had dollar-store grass skirts and flower rings in their hair ... leis could be used for the boys. I found a website that translated their names into Hawaiian and I put nametags on the kids. They also made the licorice/fruit loops necklace. The other craft was a small paper box that they glued seashells on. We had the soundtrack playing, and they played pinned-the-flower on Lilo, Freeze hula dance, musical flowers, hot coconut, etc. They had fruit kabobs with the cake.

There's a wonderful website with many theme ideas for home parties:
http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/party_ideas.html

I'm sure there are lots of Clubhouse Mickey ideas out there for the younger set. Have fun with whatever you do. I found the kids were always so excited because it was a rarety to have house parties now-a-days.

Oh that is all great info!! I LOVE the Lilo and Stitch party! Might cost me a little more, but that is totally alright!!! lmao I LOVE planning parties, but with DW I just didn't know where to start. I just wish my house was bigger!! I have 2 dc, one bday in dec and other in feb, so Im always having to cram people inside.

I have always done house parties for my kids. Even though Im sure they would love something different. lol!

What do you think about food? Is pizza Hawaiin enough for Lilo and Stitch? lol I will have to get some with pineapple for sure! Oh, you know what, if the weather is still decent enough, we could do a BBQ! As long as it's not too cold and there isn't a whack of snow (which there better not be since we have to drive 7 hours to get to the airport where we are flying out!!).

Oh Now Im really excited. This fits perfectly since we are going to Ohana's breakfast and to the Spirit of Aloha Dinner show. Brayden was super entertained by the fire twirler (we watched some of it on Youtube.)

What kind of foods are Hawaiin?? lol Never been, from from there, have no idea.

 

[amw]

What do you think about food? Is pizza Hawaiin enough for Lilo and Stitch? lol I will have to get some with pineapple for sure! Oh, you know what, if the weather is still decent enough, we could do a BBQ! As long as it's not too cold and there isn't a whack of snow (which there better not be since we have to drive 7 hours to get to the airport where we are flying out!!).

Oh Now Im really excited. This fits perfectly since we are going to Ohana's breakfast and to the Spirit of Aloha Dinner show. Brayden was super entertained by the fire twirler (we watched some of it on Youtube.)

What kind of foods are Hawaiin?? lol Never been, from from there, have no idea.

I usually serve pizza, but I thought Hawaiian pizza might be too "exotic" for the kids. So, I just made hot dogs (pork meals are Hawaiian ). I served it with the fruit kabobs (strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe). For snacks, they had Giant Goldfish crackers, and Nemo gummies. I made a cake with blue icing for water, and graham cracker crumbs for a beach, and decorated it with gummie fish and some Lilo & Stitch characters we already had.

If there's a Party Packagers near you, they carry Luau party supplies all year-long. I found lots of "beach/luau" stuff at Dollarama too.

Here are some other websites that helped in the party :
names: http://www.alohafriendsluau.com/names.html
colouring pages: http://disney.go.com/magicartist/coloring/lilostitch/index.html
same website for cards: http://disney.go.com/magicartist/greeting/lilostitch/index.html
clip art for invites/posters: http://www.disneyclips.com/imagesnewb/lilostitch.html

 

[Honeystar120608]

I usually serve pizza, but I thought Hawaiian pizza might be too "exotic" for the kids. So, I just made hot dogs (pork meals are Hawaiian ). I served it with the fruit kabobs (strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe). For snacks, they had Giant Goldfish crackers, and Nemo gummies. I made a cake with blue icing for water, and graham cracker crumbs for a beach, and decorated it with gummie fish and some Lilo & Stitch characters we already had.

If there's a Party Packagers near you, they carry Luau party supplies all year-long. I found lots of "beach/luau" stuff at Dollarama too.

Here are some other websites that helped in the party :
names: http://www.alohafriendsluau.com/names.html
colouring pages: http://disney.go.com/magicartist/coloring/lilostitch/index.html
same website for cards: http://disney.go.com/magicartist/greeting/lilostitch/index.html
clip art for invites/posters: http://www.disneyclips.com/imagesnewb/lilostitch.html

Yes I have that link for disney go already. It's great for printout sheets! Was planning on doing his invitations from there.

I just remembered that last March we threw my Mother a surprise 50th and it was a Luau Party. So I just called her and she has a box full od decorations I think this was meant to be!!

She is bringing me the box this afternoon because I told her I would make lasagna. lol I bribbed her. I best get that in the oven here soon.

I was thinking, I love the skewer fruit kabob ideas, and I actually have the long wooden skewers. I am worried about the pointed ends though. All kids will be under 4 and they would be considered weapons. Or maybe that is just my kids....

Ok so 2nd question, I always think that for a Dec party I like to get the invites our a littler earlier than 2 weeks ahead just because people make plans. Is 2 weeks enough notice where it's at the begining of Dec and not the middle as usual?

I just went on Kijiji (if you are firmiliar with Kijiji...it's an online local classifieds website like craigslist) and I scored a $3 and another $2 punch bowl with cups sets. lol How lucky is that! I thought a punch would be very Hawaiin.


OH! For the fruitloop necklaces...which is a great idea because all of our friends have girls. Brayden is the only boy (the only other boy is 3 months old lol). So you get the licorice rope stuff, and the fruitloops. THen how do you attach it? just tie it?

 

[amw]

I was thinking, I love the skewer fruit kabob ideas, and I actually have the long wooden skewers. I am worried about the pointed ends though. All kids will be under 4 and they would be considered weapons. Or maybe that is just my kids.... ?

I love this thread ... I spend too much time planning my parties

I found the shorter wood skewers at the local grocery, or dollar store. They are about 5 or 6 inches long. They still had one pointed end, but because they were smaller, they weren't as weapon-ish. The girls at my party were all 5 and they didn't play with them. Also, they held a more child-size portion of fruit. As a bonus, my DDs had fun prior to the party helping me make the kabobs. A fun way to get kids involved.

Ok so 2nd question, I always think that for a Dec party I like to get the invites our a littler earlier than 2 weeks ahead just because people make plans. Is 2 weeks enough notice where it's at the begining of Dec and not the middle as usual?

I'm a little bit of an over-anxious, pre-planner (can you tell? ), and I do tend to give lots of notice for parties. I like to give 3 weeks, especially if it's a party/vacation season.

OH! For the fruitloop necklaces...which is a great idea because all of our friends have girls. Brayden is the only boy (the only other boy is 3 months old lol). So you get the licorice rope stuff, and the fruitloops. THen how do you attach it? just tie it?

Yes, you can just tie a knot with the licorice rope. Since there's generally not a lot of room around a table, I like to put a plastic tablecloth on the ground in an open room, and have the kids sit down on it with 2 big bowls of cereal and the strings amongst them. Then you have to decide how much mess you would like in your home. My first time doing it, I tied the necklaces around each kid, and then of course they munched on them wherever they went ... crushed fruit loops under foot The second time I did this craft -- during the luau party -- they already had leis on. So, I had ziploc bags prepared with their names on it and when they were finished their necklaces, I tied them and sealed them in their baggie for home.

Incidentally, I tried to use "Honeycomb" for the craft as well thinking they looked like Hawaiian flowers but they must have gotten a lot smaller since I was a kid and you couldn't put the licorice ropes through the holes. Stick with the Fruit loops or cheerios. There are also some larger lifesaver gummies that would work

 

[Honeystar120608]

I love this thread ... I spend too much time planning my parties

I found the shorter wood skewers at the local grocery, or dollar store. They are about 5 or 6 inches long. They still had one pointed end, but because they were smaller, they weren't as weapon-ish. The girls at my party were all 5 and they didn't play with them. Also, they held a more child-size portion of fruit. As a bonus, my DDs had fun prior to the party helping me make the kabobs. A fun way to get kids involved.




I'm a little bit of an over-anxious, pre-planner (can you tell? ), and I do tend to give lots of notice for parties. I like to give 3 weeks, especially if it's a party/vacation season.



Yes, you can just tie a knot with the licorice rope. Since there's generally not a lot of room around a table, I like to put a plastic tablecloth on the ground in an open room, and have the kids sit down on it with 2 big bowls of cereal and the strings amongst them. Then you have to decide how much mess you would like in your home. My first time doing it, I tied the necklaces around each kid, and then of course they munched on them wherever they went ... crushed fruit loops under foot The second time I did this craft -- during the luau party -- they already had leis on. So, I had ziploc bags prepared with their names on it and when they were finished their necklaces, I tied them and sealed them in their baggie for home.

Excellent idea! Well the way my house is layed out, it is split entry, and then the living room on the left and dining room and kitchen. As you can imagine in a semi detach. It's not big. So fruit loops on the floor, albeit if some fall...whatever, I don't want to encourage it. I saw last night some Christmas printed ziploc style baggies at the DOllarama. That would be a good buy.

[QUOTE/]Incidentally, I tried to use "Honeycomb" for the craft as well thinking they looked like Hawaiian flowers but they must have gotten a lot smaller since I was a kid and you couldn't put the licorice ropes through the holes. Stick with the Fruit loops or cheerios. There are also some larger lifesaver gummies that would work [/QUOTE]
lol good to know, no honeycombs. lol

Besides the pin the tale type of game, what else is there. You would think i know. But I can't think of any games. We really dont have the room for musical chairs. And that is the only other game I can think of. lol

 

[amw]

Besides the pin the tale type of game, what else is there. You would think i know. But I can't think of any games. We really dont have the room for musical chairs. And that is the only other game I can think of. lol

I've always done musical chairs ... and you don't need much room. I never use "chairs." I've used cushions (fairy party - they were "clouds"), and for the luau, I used flower placemats. It doesn't take much room. I called it "musical flowers."

OK. This is embarassing, but I'm such a planning geek that I still have the outline to the luau ... yes, that's why I visit these boards ... I'm an anal pre-planner

Here it is, with the games I used:

Lilo Luau

Arrival:
Decorate gift bags in the kitchen until all guests arrive

Dress in Living Room for Luau—grass skirts, leis, flower headbands and ankle bracelets

Play some games (half):

Musical Flowers (musical chairs)
Limbo
Hot Coconut (hot potato)
Hula Freeze (freeze dance)
Pin-the-flower on Lilo
Ring Toss
Something with hula hoops

11:45 Craft:
Decorate box with shells

Noon-ish Lunch:
Hot Dogs
Fruit Shish-Kebobs
Juice boxes

More games

Craft:
Decorate cereal necklaces to take home.

1:15 p.m.
Cake: Lilo and Stitch (Island/Water)

1:30 p.m.
Lilo movie/colouring sheets downstairs

 

[snickerboo]

amw and I think alike. I've head several of the same parties. I always have the parties at my home.

A couple of tips:

Kids do not eat in the afternoon. I always have my kids parties between 1 and 4. I stopped serving a meal because they just don't eat it. So, if food is the budget item for you, I'd have the party from 1-3 or 2-4. They'll be happy with kool-aid, cake and ice cream.

Pin the .... on.... is adaptable for any theme.

One website for you: birthdaypartyideas.com They have ideas for every possible theme out there! They include the games, the food, invites, everything.

 

[Honeystar120608]

amw and I think alike. I've head several of the same parties. I always have the parties at my home.

A couple of tips:

Kids do not eat in the afternoon. I always have my kids parties between 1 and 4. I stopped serving a meal because they just don't eat it. So, if food is the budget item for you, I'd have the party from 1-3 or 2-4. They'll be happy with kool-aid, cake and ice cream.

Pin the .... on.... is adaptable for any theme.

One website for you: birthdaypartyideas.com They have ideas for every possible theme out there! They include the games, the food, invites, everything.

Thanks! I will check out that website! Food is a slight money issue. I mean, it is but it isn't. I just want to watch what I spend. The thing isn't really the kids, it's more the parents. All of the kids will be under 4, so all the parents stay kwim? I usually try to have the party earlier in the day, just because to me it is *not this time* a week and a half before Christmas and I figure people want to get out and shop on a Saturday. Like 11am-1pm sorta thing. Ok, Im just rambling. lol

 

[Honeystar120608]

Here it is, with the games I used:

Lilo Luau

Arrival:
Decorate gift bags in the kitchen until all guests arrive

Dress in Living Room for Luau—grass skirts, leis, flower headbands and ankle bracelets

Play some games (half):

Musical Flowers (musical chairs)
Limbo
Hot Coconut (hot potato)
Hula Freeze (freeze dance)
Pin-the-flower on Lilo
Ring Toss
Something with hula hoops

11:45 Craft:
Decorate box with shells

Noon-ish Lunch:
Hot Dogs
Fruit Shish-Kebobs
Juice boxes

More games

Craft:
Decorate cereal necklaces to take home.

1:15 p.m.
Cake: Lilo and Stitch (Island/Water)

1:30 p.m.
Lilo movie/colouring sheets downstairs

Ah that is awesome! Thanks! Mom just brought over a big box of Luau stuff. Tons of decorations. Dollarama has the leis for cheap.

Now... a cake... which I can make. Just need a great cake recipe. Im sure my Nanny has one Nanny's always have great recipes.

 

[fanoftinkerbell]

Those are wonderful birthday ideas.... I'm sure it will be alot of fun for everyone....

I'm kind of in the same planning boat as you, but in April... lol...

 

[pxlbarrel]

geez...can I come to the party too? It sounds like a lot of fun.

Oh, as for what do they eat in Hawaii... I know they seem to eat a lot of SPAM. (I think they must like that sound when it flops onto a dish... I dunno.)

 

[bababear_50]

Hi Mel here,,I make pop-corn and sucker wrappers over on the Disign Thread,
I thought I'd post a Stich pop-corn wrapper I made ,,you can use them as party favors,I could make a sucker wrapper if you'd like .Wrapper fit a standard size bag of pop-corn,just print off on the computer Have a great Birthday !

 

[Honeystar120608]

That is super cute!!! I wondered about making popcorn. So how does this fit popcorn exactly? It might be too early in the morning for me to see how it folds. lol

 

[bababear_50]

Hi
The popcorn wrapper fits around a standard size bag of microwave popcorn,,

Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

here is a stitch sucker wrapper,,when folded it looks like a matchbook,,snip a tiny triangle hole where the circle is and slip a sucker --(small) in side --great for party favor.

hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

here is another idea

cut strips of blue construction paper,,,long enough to fit around each child's head,,,we are making crowns,,,,,,let each child color their paper then glue or staple the stitch crown you've printed and cut out. Just an idea ,,
Hugs Mel

 

[Honeystar120608]

Those are AWESOME ideas!!! Thank you so much!!