Help me plan an inexpensive first birthday party for my baby girl!

[koima]

My DD is turning one and we're having a birthday party at my parents' house in two weeks. Evites have been sent, so now I just need to get the party supplies and plan the event!

Ideas for snacks, entertainment, decorations, etc. on the cheap would be great! We're expecting about 20 people, including 2 kids and 5 babies.

I'm budgeting $100, not including the cake (a gift from my parents.)

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We don't do much for birthdays. I usually hit up the dollar stores. You can find plates, napkins, etc in a variety of colors. Throw out some crepe paper and maybe a decoration or two.

I usually serve Kool Aid and Lemonade for drinks and you can look into finger foods: chips and salsa, mac n cheese (for the kids), finger sandwiches, bbq franks.

You could do lots and spend very little. I'm addicted to Dollar Tree. Everything is $1 and you can find lots of stuff.

Good luck.

 

[monorailsilver]

For the 2 older kids you can have bubbles, chalk, water guns/toys to keep them entertained.

Maybe go to a craft store & buy something for them to paint. My kids love to paint. We do birdhouses alot. I use arcylic paint since they come in a ton of colors but you can use the Crayola paints (cheaper).

Snacks-chips, gold fish, pretzels (pretzels dipped in chocolate with shots on them), some kind of nacho dip, spinach dip, artichoke dip, Rice Krispie treats, veggies & dip, fruit & dip, etc...

I don't buy theme plates, etc... as I think they are a waste of money. Or I will just buy a theme plate & the cups/napkins are plain.

 

[dzneelvr]

I totally agree! Keep It Simple I was at our Walmart today and they have a variety of blooming summer plants and flowers for 25cents to $1--what a great way to decorate by tying a pink ribbon around and then divie them up to send home as thank you gifts! Or take a guest photo with the birthday girl and send them home with a refrigerator magnet or clip.

 

[LWatson]

I usually get my party supplies from either Oriental Trading or Celebrationexpress.com and dont spend tons, but you can always go w/ pretty pink plates from the Dollar store and throw in some 1st birthday stuff from a party store or walmart. For the activities that is where I hit up the Dollar Tree for games or the internet for printable coloring pages. For food we either do the 3 for $5.55 from Dominos or Pizza Hut, or we go w/ things like Chips/Dip, make your own fruit/veggie tray, oh and the hit at all our parties....the punch. We mix Sprite (or equal) w/ Lime Sherbet or Orange soda w/ Orange Sherbet...depending on what mommy is in the mood for. As far as "gift bags" you could grab some dollar toys for the older kids and put them in bags.

 

[Jennia]

I agree with bubbles, you can usually get those cheap anywhere (they're cheaper and better quality at our Albertson's store than Dollar Tree). Our dd loved watching them at one year, so even the babies should enjoy those. =)

Some food ideas:
homemade pizza (allows for variation but is universally appealing), a baked potato bar (with chili, shredded cheese, etc), build your own sandwich, or just stick to finger foods instead of going all out with lunch. Potlucks are cheap, too.

Decorations:
Have you thought of making some of your own? You could get some stuff from dollar tree/Target/Walmart etc (like streamers and balloons) and then make signs,etc that say things like Happy First Birthday. We made some really cute signs for dd's bday this year, tacked them up, and then surrounded them with balloons that we blew up.