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Save On Your Child’s Birthday

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by Melissa on April 3, 2009

With my little one turning 1 this month, I want to save, while still having a great party. I loved reading all the tips, ideas, and advice that readers gave on my “Backwards” Post this week.

Some of the tips included:

Find FREEBIES
Have a Party at another location, besides home (park, restaurant, zoo)
Make your own Cake
Keep It Simple
Make Your own Goodie Bags
Have a BBQ
Stay at Home
You can check out all the responses Here.

So, how do I plan to save on my son’s birthday this month?

Presents: I’m excited that I earned $70 of Amazon gift cards through Swagbucks in March! So, I was able to check out Amazon’s large selection of gifts, books, and even party supplies! You can check out their selection in the Birthday Store Amazon has some great deals, and many items are eligible for Super Saving Shipping when you spend $25 (and I love FREE shipping!)

I found a couple First Birthday Books and the Hasbro Playskool Busy Gears, which I think both my 1 year old and his 3 year old brother (maybe even Daddy?) will enjoy! :) I spent $30 of my gift cards (so I got FREE Shipping) and have plenty left over to save for my other’s son’s birthday in August.

Card: I also ordered a FREE Baby’s 1st Birthday Card from Hallmark.

Cake: I have been signing up for Birthday FREEBIES all year, as I find them, so I was excited when I got a coupon from Safeway for a baby’s first birthday cake FREE! (I’ll probably make cupcakes for the rest of us since my 3 year old would love to help make them!)

Party Supplies: Walmart has very cute animal plates that will be perfect for the location I’m choosing, plus, I already have left over balloons and streamers from other parties.

Location: Although I know I can save money having the party at home, it is possible to have a party at a FREE location like a local park. Since we are members of the Zoo, I think we’ll have a birthday picnic there, which will give the kids a chance to play and will be less clean-up then having it at home! (If you have a local zoo, I highly recommend becoming a member! We go to the zoo at least twice a month and with our membership, it is FREE Admission. We also get discounts on some of the special events, like ZooLights, throughout the year.)

**If you haven’t signed up for Swagbucks yet, my readers can get 5 swagbucks instantly, just for signing up, for more info, go Here.

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-Melissa

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  • lizmcvey

    my daughter’s birthday is this month and i want to have a party at chuck e cheese but it’s looking a little expensive. i don’t mind having it at home but hopefully one day we can go to chuck e cheese.

  • The Sensible Momma

    We did have a birthday at chuck e cheese last year for my 3 year old…it is a little pricey. I’ve noticed that there are usually coupons in the Sunday Paper for pizza/token combos. There is supposed to be 5 inserts this weekend, so you’ll definitely want to check!

  • Anonymous

    i had several creative parties when the kids now grown were little. I did chuck e cheese but I did not do there party version. I just took the coupons and had pizza and tokens for the kids. the birthday cake was done on the lawn out back with a picnic style after the party cupcakes cuz chuck e cheese would not let us have them in the restraunt without their birthday package. So I did it this way. I also had a party at a park and we fed the ducks with day old bread. I had two parties at mcdonalds alot like the deal a chuck e cheese / I bought all the kids burgers and bought half the number of fries paid with booklets i bought at halloween mcdonalds let us serve our cupcakes and the kids had the ice cream cones and play place . I had two parties that the kids won in contest. One was at a place called Jungle Jim’s in Texas and one was at Discovery Zone both of these were great and I only had to pay a tip to the server. I had three parties at my home again I did things diffrently and it did not run a ton of cash. I also did these when the kids were older like 12. Pizzas at Little ceaser’s picked up a head of time for $5.00 worked great! Tea sandwhiches for a girls party made for a very nice elegant party. My kids have very fond memories of thier birthday parties I have three children they each had a party every year starting when they were four that they had guess at I never paid more than $40.00 for the parties. I also did one at a pool one year. I always did my own cakes and or cupcakes and I served very little other food make the party at an odd time so it is not expected that you will serve lunch then serve like crackers and cheese or something and a drink. Or popcorn or something small for them to snack on. Make it clear in the invite it is a cake party only. This way no hard feelings. When they were older I did serve the pizza only because teens are always starving. Even if they just ate.

  • Anonymous

    The idea of having the child pick the number of guest per age is a great one I gave the one additional for “one to grow on” The main idea would be keep it simple. An over stimulated overly tired birthday child or guest will only end up crankie and crying from too much. Then it will not matter that Mom and Dad’s bill at Chuck e Cheese is over $ 400.00

  • Jerri – Simply Sweet Home

    Great tips! Thanks for sharing.

  • Brea’s Mommy

    Great tips! I have heard about Swagbucks, but have been a little leary of trying it. Might have to give it a little more consideration! Thanks for participating in Show off your Blog Saturday hope to see you again soon!

  • Brea’s Mommy

    Great tips! I have heard about Swagbucks, but have been a little leary of trying it. Might have to give it a little more consideration! Thanks for participating in Show off your Blog Saturday hope to see you again soon!

  • Brea’s Mommy

    Great tips! I have heard about Swagbucks, but have been a little leary of trying it. Might have to give it a little more consideration! Thanks for participating in Show off your Blog Saturday hope to see you again soon!

  • Brea’s Mommy

    Great tips! I have heard about Swagbucks, but have been a little leary of trying it. Might have to give it a little more consideration! Thanks for participating in Show off your Blog Saturday hope to see you again soon!

  • The Sensible Momma

    Thanks for all the tips! I love hearing how everyone saves and you all have great ideas!

    I understand being leary of swagbucks…but I can tell you that it is a real thing! I redeemed $70 in Amazon gift cards in March and already have $20 so far for April! Believe me, it is pretty cool!

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