Try these money saving tips when throwing an infant or toddler theme birthday party. Your guests will be in awe of the fortune you seemingly spent and your child will be delighted with the lavish birthday celebration.
1- Choose the birthday party theme. This is quite easy if you base the theme upon your child's favorite character or cartoon. For example, will it be Elmo, Boobah, Thomas the Tank Engine, or Clifford, to name a few? The closer the choice suits your child's taste, the more enthusiastic you will be in creating the theme.
2- Start your web search. There a several websites devoted to do it yourself birthday parties. PBS Parents has an awesome selection of birthday party planners, but if the character you want is not there, keep searching!
3- Make it all yourself. Party invitations, decorations, and hat templates can all be downloaded on the web. They are simple to make. 
You can even find cake recipes.
4- On a budget? Use the local dollar store for mylar balloons. The Dollar Store will let you order and choose your balloons in advance. Children will not notice whether or not Thomas is on a balloon, but they will notice that they have balloons. Comparative shopping will show that you will save 1/3rd of the cost versus purchasing them from party stores. The same is true for paper plates, napkins, and tablecloths. Looking to spice up a plain tablecloth? Use alphabet foam puzzle pieces, or just plain foam alphabet letters for a splash of color on the tables.
5- Use one of your child's character toys as a centerpiece. Have an Elmo toy? How about placing him outside the door with a sign that reads, ____________ (your child's name) Street. Use street sign generator for this purpose.
6- Go green and reuse. Peruse second hand stores, garage sales, and flea markets for wall decorations. You may be surprised to find pictures of the character, fabric, or even toys that will add that special touch to the decor without a lot of money spent. After all, it is only one day. Re-donate when finished.
7- Gift giving. Sending each child who came to the birthday party home with a token of your appreciation need not break the bank, either. Craft stores sell 4 packs of canvas tote bags that can be easily decorated with fabric markers with the child's name for a personalized touch. Fill the bags with safe and age appropriate toys and small games.
With a little creativity, your infant or toddler birthday party will be a success and within your budget. There is also something very satisfying to a parent when he or she thinks, I did this myself. Have fun!
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Laurie Patsalides
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Nov 8 2009, 11:08 PM