I'm so upset, I could cry, please help regarding Birthday party.

Kimmywim

Hi Guys, First of all I have already read the birthday party sticky, but because of our severe lack of money it didn't really help.

Basically its my daughters 2nd Birthday party in 2 weeks time and the invitations have already gone out for it else I wouldn't have bothered having one. So many things have gone wrong this month that we no longer have any money to pay for it. First our car broke down, then we have to tax and mot it, before we next get paid. Plus my husband is on a secondment, to a different place that is a 2hr and a quarter journey away so obviously petrol for the last couple of months has been extotionate, but the people at HR has messed up his travel expenses so we still haven't seen any money from that, so in a nutshell I have worked out that we only have about £20 left to pay for this party.


Basically if anyone has any ideas at all if this would be possible I would be so thankfull, because at the moment I feel like cancelling it altogether, and I feel like such a failure.

I have already put on the invites, to "bring a bottle" (the paty is at our house) for the adults so drink shouldn't be a problem, but how the hell can I make £20 stretch to make party food for approx 20 adults and 10 children? also what about party bags,m I can't send kiddies home without a party bag, or can I? This is the first proper party I have thrown and I just don't know what to do, please please help if you can.

many thanks

Kim

Ally

If you have time and if I can find it:rolleyes: there is a website where you can make your own party bags (we did this and personalised them, went down a treat;) ), jigsaws, printable colouring sheets. Get a multipack of sweets for kids, put a couple in each bag, used the rest as prizes for little games. If you have some unused toys/girst lying around, use then for pass the parcel.

I will not try and find the link for you .... wish me luck!

Meanwhile .... take a deep breath ... MSE members will be along shortly and make it possible for you hun

ac

the first thing that comes to my mind is that....


kids dont really care wots in a party bag.. as long as they have a little something.....

it dosent have to really be in a bag..... ie....

if you raid your local £ shop you could get crayons & pocket size notebooks
and wrap them up in the birthday paper thats left over from your kids presents ????....

and wot ive learnt from kids parties is that there isent much eating going on..

just keep it simple..... sandwich..crisps...choccy bar and home made jelly ???

and as for the adults just pizzas & drumsticks

good luck xxx

anguk

If you ask on the Old Style board they'll have loads of ideas for parties on a budget, some would even find £20 quite excessive! :rotfl: I'm sure they'd be able to come up with some great buffet ideas for £20.

Found some threads which may help:
Party Food ideas
Party Food For 5 Year old
Childrens Birthday Party
Old Style Birthday Party

doolally_2

I really feel for you i know how expensive partys are my daughters 3rd is just round the corner, For my sons 4th birthday earlier this year we had just moved house and was seriously watching the pennies so NO i didn't do any party bags i just explained to my friends and they were fine. I think ally has come up with something though to make your own i never thought of that. Good luck and i hope you get it sorted.

Ally

http://www.dltk-kids.com/

How old are the kids?

That was quick :j :j

Here are some links.

Birthday Banners

Mini Books for party bag .. can personalise and kids can colour them in.

Treat/Party Bags you can personalise these with kids names by transfering template to Word ... time consuming, but can help if you like .. just PM me.

Pin on the 'wahtever' Party Games fun for adults and kids.

Jigsaw Puzzles ... can add to party bags for kids

Doorknob Hangers ..... can be added to party bags

Colouring Pages

Awards/Certificates ... can award to best dance etc

Other Birthday Party Ideas

if you have a printer, ink and paper ... the above can be done, but does take time to make up.

Peakma

Most little kids parties you only feed the kids,and the adults just hover around for left overs,although to be honest because I'm such a pig and cant go with out I usually do enough for adults aswell,but I don't think this is the norm.
When we were kids,we were pretty skint and my mum used to make things for the party bags, a particular thing I remember were dead simple little finger puppets,made out of nice fabric from old clothes,with simple eyes and noses stitched on, and thread for whiskers.People loved these and I remember people taking them to school after,and other kids really wanting one.She also used to make fluffy pencil cases,and jazz up cheap plain gloves with embroidery and sequins for pressies,oh and hot water bottle covers.They were all dead simple but effective ideas.
A few marmite/jam sandwiches
bag of cocktail frozen sausages
home made pop corn
home made buns
cheese and pineapple
big bag of crisps(from aldi,or somewhere else cheap)
Some carrot,cucumber sticks
And a homemade b'day cake
I reckon you could just about scrape through quite nicely on £20.
Alternatively do you have any family you are close enough to to I ask if they could contribute to the cost of throwing a party for your daugter,instead of giving a pressie?

knithappens

I usually make a big pot of Chilli and rice for the adults.

FOr my son who just turned 4 i only spent £20, i made homemade fairy buns, sandwhiches, Sausage rolls, cocktail sticks, and got a reduced birthday cake, i was in the same situation as you. Try not to worry as more often than not food gets thrown away after a party.

Also if liek me you have family members, like your mum, sister ect , i am sure they will chip in, ask them to bring a big bag of crisp, a few bottles of pop.

Lidl is great for sweets. and crisps.

I didnt do any party bags this year either, they just took home a slice of cake.

Also after being a a birthday part in the USA this year and seeing that alot fo their parties guests only get a slice of birthday cake with Ice cream, well it mademe not stress so much.

knithappens

I usually make a big pot of Chilli and rice for the adults.

FOr my son who just turned 4 i only spent £20, i made homemade fairy buns, sandwhiches, Sausage rolls, cocktail sticks, and got a reduced birthday cake, i was in the same situation as you. Try not to worry as more often than not food gets thrown away after a party.

Also if liek me you have family members, like your mum, sister ect , i am sure they will chip in, ask them to bring a big bag of crisp, a few bottles of pop.

Lidl is great for sweets. and crisps.

I didnt do any party bags this year either, they just took home a slice of cake.

Also after being a a birthday part in the USA this year and seeing that alot fo their parties guests only get a slice of birthday cake with Ice cream, well it mademe not stress so much.

Ally

anguk wrote:

If you ask on the Old Style board they'll have loads of ideas for parties on a budget, some would even find £20 quite excessive! :rotfl: I'm sure they'd be able to come up with some great buffet ideas for £20.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: very true!


Sandwiches with basic filling, cheese/cucumber, chicken, jam.

Make some cupcakes for kids, jelly is a good idea too (Hey how are ya AC, ain't seen ya around for ages!! ... back to OP now:o )

bottle of squash (or whatever it is called) for kids.

look in your local supermarket .... for BOGOFS ... go with a list so you don't over spend and get what you 'planned' to get

Bread is often reduced .... buy cheap then you can freeze this until needed.

Think that's it from me:o

Elljay_2

For my son's 2nd & 3 rd birthdays, we just had a get together at our house. Admittedly we did food, but we didn't really play any formal games. We just put toys out and he opened his presents and then all the children played with them and each other. The kids seemed to go home happy with a bit of cake and a balloon. If all the children are 2, I'm sure they won't even know what a party bag is! Put some music on and let them play!

Hope it all goes well. Please don't worry. It's a celebration that your child is two. Don't get upset.