Frugal First Birthday?

[Mabuisakura]

My DD is turning one in a cuple months and I wanted some ideas for a good frugal first birthday!

Any Suggestions?

[carsensejoe]

1. Have the party at home or someplace free like a park.

2. Make the food yourself ask freinds or relatives to make food and bring.

3. Go to bj's costco or sam's for all your meats, water,beverages unless u find a better sale at your grocery store.

4. Go to the dollar store my wife loves them you can find all sorts of things there for your theme.

5. Have the video camera ready and make sure u giver her the biggest piece of cake!

6. You can e-mail invitations out.

[nanamom]

Depends on whether you want a family party or a friends and kids thing. Crafts can be cheap, popsicle sticks and glue make a great number of things and come cheap. Check online for craft ideas if you are haivng kids at the party. Or just get a blow up pool and some water.
Have just a cake and lemonade type thing rather than serve a meal.
Have a Teddy Bear tea and let the kids bring their favorite stuffed animal. Provide cookies and kool aid or juice (watered down of course) in little cups and they will have a blast. If you feel you have to have favors, make little bandanas for their animals or let them make an inexpensive craft as their favor.You could let them plant flowers in littel paper cups (they are cheap and dirt is usually available free.)

[momof1in150]

Your daughter neither remember or understand what is going on. Remember that most parents do the 1st birthday party for them, not the child. Both of my children had family only parties for their first 3 birthdays. It wasn't until they were in school that they had a couple of their friends over for their birthdays.

I would stick to simple cake & ice cream in the afternoon. Anything in the evening it too late for a 1 year old. I always did a party at 2 pm because no one expected a meal and my child was well rested from their afternoon naps. They also were well fed because they already had lunch.

Good luck and enjoy them while they are little.

[Ima saver]

I agree with momof1, this is not something your child will remember. I just had a little birthday cake, invited over the aunts and uncles and took some pictures. I didn't even buy her a present.

[pearlieq]

First birthdays are usually some of the cheapest to celebrate. At least around here they're just family and friends of the parents. There's usually a meal or heavy snacks and cake. No favors, not too much in the way of decorations. Just food, cake, and maybe a few balloons.

[shelbylovesmelby]

I agree nothing to go to town over. Maybe like others have said cake & ice cream or a bbq cook out w/ family in friends. If you need decor always check out the dollar stores or party outlets first for basics.

[Quynne]

Awww...I love first birthdays! Have a grandparent give it...that will save you tons! LOL.

Seriously, make your own cake! If decorating is not your thing here is an idea...get a toy..like mega blocks or something and use that to decorate the cake. Then not much skill is needed. I do that for my kids every year and they love it!

Now, if you think you can't make a good cake...think again! Take any cake mix and add a complementary box of Jello pudding mix to it. Seriously...that is a cheap and fast way to make a delicious cake. Try devil's food cake with choc fudge pudding (add the mix dry)...it tastes just like my homemade fudge cake! I get complements all the time. You can even add chocolate chips to the mix. Get creative. Cake mix is cheap!

Try going to the party stores in town and looking through clearance aisles. You never know what you may find. I found awesome deals there for my kid's first birthday. It was pink ice cream cones and stuff. YOu may even get plain colored items that match your theme.

Make your own food! Have it at home! This is a big birthday but it doesn't have to cost big. Try those Zoo Pals plates and cups!

You can be frugal! Afterall, nothing...nothing...not even the most expensive cake can beat your precious baby's face eating the first piece! After it is all over the only one to remember is you anyway. lol. So have fun...go cheap and take pics.

Remember....one year olds don't need tons of gifts! They only play with one or two anyway.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I dunno but my cousin spent a fortune on his kid's 1st b-day. I plan on cheaping out and saying mom if you want one, you have it. If not the kid eats ice cream cake from baskin with just close family. Nothing fancy.

[Quynne]

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

I dunno but my cousin spent a fortune on his kid's 1st b-day. I plan on cheaping out and saying mom if you want one, you have it. If not the kid eats ice cream cake from baskin with just close family. Nothing fancy.

I don't see any reason to be fancy! That party is really for the parents. Wait and spend the money when the kid actually knows what is going on and wants to have a party. In my house...it is a gift or a party. I am not being mean...I am just working within my budget. I mean....a party is fine with one gift...I just don't go crazy.

[fairy74]

Having a large party can also be cultural, I know Latinos and Hawaiians tend to have very large first birthday parties, in large part because the infant mortality rate is much higher (at least tradtiionally). Of course, you can do it however you prefer and even a large party does not have to be super expensive (also it helps that the godparents usually pitch in with the cost). There are many good tips here regardless of what size event you want to hold.