Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Probably spending about $800. But it is at home and not a huge list of people (40).

Message edited 2/12/2010 1:02:18 PM.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Posted by JennZ

Wow, Im cheap!

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

nothing... my immediate family members and I went out to dinner.

I don't understand why people make a big fuss over a 1st bday.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

I was trying to go cheap but it ended up costing a lot.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

ours was small. We did it my parents house.

cake-$16 (costco)
decorations & party supplies-$60
food-$120
alchol & drinks-$50
about 40 people

So all in all its was cheap!! It was under $250. I can't see spending a fortune on a 1st birthday. Sorry, JMO.

Christening we spent close to $1500, but had almost 70 people & rented a hall.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

I like the idea of going with the Costco for the cake. I've had it at parties and you can not tell at all that it's not from a neighborhood bakery. I also didn't know that they could use a photo too for decorations, that's cool.

For 1st birthdays I give it all I can. It's a birthday in my family that we treat extra special so we splurge on the entertainment and food. The other birthdays I keep small all around (invites, food & entertainment). I want to say I probably spend around $500 for other birthdays.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

I'd say around $650. Had it at home with 45 people, so the biggest expense was the food, but I catered and made some myself to cut costs. We got a BJ's cake for $19.99, everyone loved it. We did a sesame street theme so I just took the pic from the thank you card and had them put it on the cake. It came out great!

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Some of these posts made me feel a lot better about going all out for my twins bday. We didn't do a big Christening, so we use that to justify our out of control first bday for them...lol...plus they were born very early and we didn't really get to celebrate since they were in the hospital so long and came home with some issues.

I seriously have no regrets...many of our friends and family live long distance and haven't really met them, so we figured it was also a nice way to get everyone together.

ETA: it most likely will be over 3k..

Message edited 2/13/2010 7:22:03 AM.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

About $600

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

We had a party at home, immediate family and friends - total people and kids about 50. Between food/entertainment and decorations I'd say around $500.

I just can't see spending $$$$$ on a childs 1st birthday. But that's me...

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Probably all in, about $1300/$1400-- but that's including every little thing.


eta-- but I had to have it out of my home because I live in an apt-- so that alone was a lot of money. Honestly, I think my only luxury was the photographer. The food for 50+ people and kids adds up though.

Message edited 2/13/2010 8:47:55 AM.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

When all was said and done I think it was around $2,000. We did it in the backyard and rented a tent with sides, tables and chairs (package also came with buffet tables). We had Twinkletown come in for entertainment and the food was catered by our favorite restaurant.

If you are looking to save on decorating...my DH strung Christmas lights on the top poles in the tent (the ones that extend from one side to the other). It was so pretty...and gave us extra lighting when the sun went down.



I took advantage of some great sales at party city for the table clothes and utensils and found the paperware on sale online.

To go with the theme I used Tonka trucks that I scored at Target on clearance and just added some fun little accents...nothing too much.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

My cakes were almost half of the budget!

I had a combo party for my DD's 1st and sister's 36th...

It was about 1K and then we moved it to a private space which cost 300.

I would say in total it was about 1500 bucks--much more than I originally planned--I was just going to get the cakes and then said "what a shame no one will see them..." and then it turned into a big ol' party.

My sister's BF bought all of the booze, which was a relief.



ETA: Worth every penny!! And this is from a girl who had 70 guests at her wedding at a restaurant!

ETA: My DH was totally against the big party. I did all of the planning alone with some help from my sister's BF and put money aside for a long time to pay for the cakes, which had to be ordered in August since my sister and DD are Christmas babies.

Message edited 2/13/2010 9:22:23 AM.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Posted by JennZ

Wow, Im cheap!

Message edited 2/13/2010 9:24:26 AM.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

maybe 100?

decorations, pizza, cake at home for 8 people.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Ang - I love how the tent looks with the sides, I think this is what I'm leaning towards for Tyler.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

We had it at home in early January so the location was free.

Invites, I designed in Photoshop and emailed to everyone so $0

Favors, I picked up from Oriental Trading Company $30

Decorations, the house was still decorated for Christmas $0

Food, we did pizza and snacks $150

Cake, I was going to make a mickey Mouse cake and ran out of time, I ended up buying a basic cake $25

So looks like $205

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

probably almost 1800-2,000...

Rental hall- 475
Food/beverages- 500
Kindermusik- 325
Decorations- 100
Paper goods/ utensils/table covers- 75?
Goodie bags- 50
Favors- games-etc from oriental trading - 100
invites- 60
cake- 125

And there were many stops where extras were bought- I have no idea how much the random stuff cost me.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

@ $500 including everything. I had it at home and had @ 40 people

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Too much.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Probably around $300. I don't really know b/c my mom paid for the paper goods and the cake (which was probably $100)

We had about 30-35 people at our house.

I can see having a big party if you can afford, why the heck not?

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Both of my kids first birthday "parties" were while we tailgated at a Notre Dame football game. Close family was there and the kids had cake. So probably about $150 for food and beer and cake.

No fancy parties and favors here....not my style.

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?

Re: How much did you spend on your child's first birthday party?