Party Tips

•  The Oriental Trading magazine has tons of cute ideas!  From paper supplies to candy and toys for goody bags.  Fun crafts.  Great prices.  My kids love their things!  (They are great for bus treats or Vacation Bible School awards too!)
• The dollar tree is your friend! 
• Shop deals and sales.  Clearance is the way to go.  Never spend more than $1 on a decoration, especially if you are going to turn around and throw it away.
• If you have more than one kid born in a month or season, give them all one big party and be done with it!  you get to invite more friends, have more fun, eat more food, and well, you get the idea.  But you don't have to do it again.  It's over and done in one day and you don't have to dread the next party.  You look forward to the next year with anticipation.  Which brings me to the next tip...
• Start planning next year's party this year.  That way you can pick things up at yard sales and after holiday sales when things are 50-75% off.
• Have a bunch of party items that never got used and don't match anything else?  Have a "hobo" party and get rid of it all.  Everyone will think you bough all that mix-matched junk on purpose and you will have practically FREE party!
• Think outside the box.  Be creative.  If you think it sounds like fun do it. 
• Don't stress out over it..have fun.  Children can tell you are upset about something and  that can ruin the day for them.  If something doesn't go right...do without it!  If it rains..jump in the puddles. 
• When renting a location remember you can usually get a cheaper rate on a week day rather than a week end. 
• Call around to get the best price
• McDonalds will usually give you a big cooler filled with their Orange drink for Free.  You just have to call and schedule in advance.
• $1 gift certificates to McDonalds or Dairy Queen are easy and way cheaper than buying tons of candy and distributing it evenly between everyone. 
• Party favors don't have to be extravagant.  Be simple.  Be creative. 
• Ask for help if you need it.
• I hate hot dogs.  Ugh.  They aren't even good for you, but one a year for a birthday party won't kill you.  Pick up a pack of hot dogs when they are on sale and throw them in the freezer.  That way you aren't buying all the food for the party the week of that party.  You can still get groceries that week!  Groceries are a good thing.
• Make your own invitations on the computer.  Then all you have to do is write a name at the top of each invitation.  If you leave someone out you simply run home and print another.  No hurt feelings.  No extra money.  And you don't have to write all that information down over and over the way you have to do when you buy the store bought invitations.  You can do it simply and hand out half pieces of paper, or you can make them more elaborate and add decorations like bows and buttons...make them say you.  If you have the extra money and you enjoy that sort of thing then I think you should go for it!
• Be sure to include a copy of the menu you are planning.  If there are any allergy problems you can let parents know that they are more than welcome to send substitutes with their children.