Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

We had a backyard BBQ first birthday party for about 70 people:

Hired a BBQ guy who provided food and paper goods: $550 including tip

Tent rental and tables/chairs - $300+

Cake and desserts - $75

Favors, decorations, table clothes, games - probably another $350

Alcohol - $100

All in all it was betwee $1,500 and $2,000.

And then to boot we had another party in NY with my family -- my mom bought and cooked all the food so it was significantly cheaper but probably was another $250 for another cake, alcohol, etc


No regrets --- we had a great time!

His second birthday party was less people and there was only one party in NJ. If my family in NY wanted to be there I made them travel.

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

DD was born in january and at the time we were planning her 1st bday party my DH was out of work.

So we decided to have a really small party (20 people) at a restaurant. It cost us about $500-$600 with favors, cake and everything

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

DD's b-day is on Christmas Day, so for her 1st, we are just splurging on a really beautiful cake (150 bucks for 15 people)

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

We went to Disney for his actual birthday and then did just immediate family at home for his party.

I spent a little under $500 for catering, cake/dessert/decorations/alcohol.

There were about 12 adults and a couple of children.

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

Honestly I am thinking $500, less if possible. I just cant see spending so much for a birthday my child won't understand or remember. It will just be immediate family at home.

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

My DS is only 6 months old but I am already planning his first bday party.

The way I am calculating it, it will be around 1500 - 2000.

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

My DD's is at the end of the month and so far the costs have been as follows:

Hall including alcohol and bartender -$600
catering- about $650
DJ- $300 not including tip
favors for adults and kids and decorations- $150

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

I would love to have it at home but our family is too big.

Therefore- 90 people, budgeting about 2500..

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

We had it our house and had just close family (about 25 people). I guess we spent about $500 on food/drinks.

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

We have a lot of kids on both sides of the family that are older than DS, so we were thinking of having it @ Dave & Busters so both adults and kids would be entertained.

I haven't priced it completely, but I think I saw bday packages starting @ $25/pp. We will probably have around 50-60 ppl.

I would love to do something outdoors, like a BBQ, but DS is a January baby, so that's a no...our townhouse is too small to have everyone over. But, after the $$$ we spent on his christening, this should be less I hope

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

Wow.. lucky you

Um i put aside $100

Took her to the zoo, just me, her and my hubby. I wanted that to be 'our' time just like it was a year ago. It was very important to me.

Later we did a BBQ thing at my cousin's house. Group party for my uncle (18th), me (20th) and her (22nd). Everyone brought something. So like $20 we pitched in.

Spent the rest of the money i put aside on awesome studio photos of her.

All and all about $200 was spent i guess.

If i had 2500 I guess yeah, Id do something big. But right now if i had 1000 id do cartwheels

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

You're pretty close to what it actually costs!
I tried hard not to get too crazy, but by the time you add up the hall, decorations, favors, cake, entertainment, caterer, tips it is always much more than you think!!
Imo it was well worth it for such a wonderful day!!!

Re: How much did/are you budgeting for a 1st bday party? How many people are you inviting?

we spent way too much on DSs 1st birthday and for my DDs 1st bday we are going to def cut costs bc we are inviting more people.

DS (Aug bday)

80 ppl (including kids)
park permit $80
Alcohol permit $45
catering (NOT including alcohol) $1283.80
face painter $75 (for 1.5 hours)
alcohol $200
cake $50
misc $250

so about $2K

We had it at Cedar Creek Park

Message edited 10/7/2009 7:18:52 PM.