Welcome to the Birthday Show- or how to throw a cheap birthday party that doesn't look cheap

The birthday girl had a great time at her party. Probably almost as much fun as I did!

At a glance, the party might have seemed over the top, but really, it was pretty simple.

I gathered up all the small tables and chairs I could find and set them up under my pop up tent that I have for art shows.

We decorated it all with the Little Mermaid stuff I got at the flea market, a huge bag full of mermaid paraphernalia for only 20 bucks.   Including all the napkins, plates and table cloths. That was a giant cost saver there!

I hung up the disco ball that Beth gave to me for my birthday and pinned Ariel doodads from the never ending bag of Mermaid goodies to it.

 

Each table got a couple colors of glitter glue, a pile of sea shells to paint, hats and horns to decorate, and a few of my old, beat up paint brushes.

Foam and sparkly Princess crowns for the little girls were $4 a 6 pack, but pirate hats for the boys were that much a piece! So, I found black foam visors on sale for 66 cents at Michaels, turned them upside down, and cut them into pirate hat shapes.

 

There was a wading pool with floaty toys, and lots of bikes and trikes sitting in the yard for the little kids.  The big kids played water balloons and football in the field.

Everywhere I shopped, summer things were on clearance. I was able to get 3 bags full of water balloons for a dollar each.

And they are biodegradable! I didn't even know there was such a thing.  

The festive leis were on clearance too, 5 for a dollar.

To make the little sand box seem more special, I sat it in the gazebo and draped it in tropical fabric (that I had in my stash).

It was Sugarwings' idea to add water to the sand box to turn it into a "beach".  I buried pirate treasure (from the dollar store) in the sand for kids to dig up.

Side walk chalk is always a hit with Sugarwings, and we had plenty of that on hand to set out.

We made a slip and slide from a big sheet of plastic drop cloth, and anchored it with sand bags.  We had sand bags around for throwing in the back of the truck in the winter, and I'll reuse the plastic.

  Sugarwings' Hippy Chick Mommy baked her an amazing mermaid cake! She found My Little Ponies that were mermaids. I think that makes them seahorses....

The paper clay mermaids that I made at Kim's event were ideal for table decor. And now, they will be gifts for my two sisters.  I guess those clay sirens were the most expensive part of the day, I spent $500 on Kim's classes!! But I got all sorts of pretties to use all over the house and yard. Every gift that we got in our hostess bags and the door prize of some of Kim's shell art were  all just great to have for this. Kim even gave me the bags of shells she had left over, and I used them for the kids to paint on.

One thing I always have here at the cottage is sprinkles and icing, so I made up a tray of pretties and I brought out some plain cupcakes for kids to decorate how ever they liked.  (the cute little blue baskets are from the dollar store too, what a deal!)

This foam core board was about $5, and I painted it in about an hour. We used it to play "Pin the Shell on the Mermaid's Necklace".  Every kid got to pick a prize from my bottomless bag of Little Mermaid treasures that I only paid $20 for at the flea market.

After our hats were decorated, we took the horns down the fairy trail for a birthday parade.

You might be able to tell that I was enjoying the day...

This little video shows just how much fun my little fairy grand baby was having.  She decided to climb on the "stage" and put on a Birthday Show.

What joy on her face!

Here are my tips for saving money on a kid's birthday party:

1-Use what you have on hand- that is the big one.  Look around your house to see what you can use.  

2- Save your old paint brushes after they look like they aren't worth using any more, kids don't care!

3- For an outdoor party, sprinklers and water games go great with messy paint projects!  Buy glitter glues at the dollar store, and shop around for clearance items. Kids love to glob paint and glitter onto stuff.

4- Make an area look special by draping fabric over it. You can use a light fixture, or tree branch to create a magical little area.  Little ones love tents! Try using sheets, old fabric, or if you have to buy something, tulle is pretty cheap.

5- Have fun yourself!  If you are playing along and enjoying the games, that makes it fun for the kids.  They'd much rather have someone pay attention to them than have you rent them a jump house.

6- Parades are free.  Get a conga line going, and have everyone sing. Or march and blow horns.  Being encouraged to be loud is not something kids get everyday and they eat it up!

7- Bright leis can usually be found pretty cheap and add a lot of color to the area, and kids feel festive wearing them.

8- Shop around! Try a flea market or outlet clearance store for supplies.

9- Think about what kids like, not what adults think is pretty. Put your money where it counts and don't waste it on things that don't matter to the little ones. This party is for THEM!

Comments

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

It looks like everyone had a great time at the party! From past posts, Karla, I was thinking that your Sugarwings looked like you, but couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly that made me think so. Looking at her first picture in this post, I think it is your eyes. I think you both have the same eyes.

[Cami @ Creating Myself]

What a fabulous party! And yes, you looked like you were having lots of fun! LOL

I've been busy remodeling a playhouse for my granddaughter's birthday later this month...whew! 105 degrees & I decide to remodel a playhouse. *rolls eyes* What we won't do for our grands, huh?

Thanks for extending the deadline on the Dorothy tags...that'll help!

[gail]

What a lucky little girl Sugarwings is to have you as her Grammy! Looks like she had a blast! Great ideas for me to keep in the back of my mind for future parties for my own little dollbaby!

[Cheryl Stoneham]

What great memories you are creating for your granddaughter! She is so lucky to have you as her Grammy! Thanks for sharing the day with us!
Xo
Cheryl

[My Blessed Serendipity Life]

What darling decorations and little chairs ready for all the guests. It looked like a fun day. Your granddaughter must of loved it.

-Danielle

[Stephanie]

Such a FUN party!! Looks like it was perfect, down to the very last detail. Happy Birthday, SUGARWINGS!!!!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

[Charlene]

HOW will you top this party???? AMAZING! I know Sugar Wings loved every minute. And it was soooooooooo worth the $20 at the FLEA! Thanks for sharing. HUGS! Charlene

[vivian]

Hi Karla, looks like a great time was had by all, including you! Loved the parade video.. you certainly were "kicking up your heels!" Sugarwings will always remember her mermaid party. We used to have some pretty special birthday parties here too, circus's, barbie camp, soccor game parties, and who knows what else. I figure with 4 kids, I threw about 50 or 60 birthday parties.. at least! OMG.. thats just crazy. Though I have to admit, sometimes.. they were just plain old parties. I wanted to thank you for the beautiful rose and beaded charm that I received in the mail this afternoon! I love it. I actually started a little charm collection last year and am planning on making a special charm bracelet one of these days!
so thank you again!
have a great week
vivian

[LuLu]

I just loved seeing all these wonderful pictures and the videos of the kids having such a great time! That's what I call a party!

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

[ginger]

Again, what wonderful memories you are making for yourself and for Sugar Wings. You did such a beautiful job of making her day special. She is so lucky to have you to put magic in her life. Good job.

[sue]

Karla, you really are the bestest Grandma ! And you really know how to make it fun for little ones and how to spoil them. And ..... you still have a great "high kick " !! lol

[Sandy]

A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your sweet grand girl! It looks like the party was a huge success and really great tips for money savers too. My granddaughter will turn 1 on the first of Sept., can't wait until she is big enough to enjoy the festivities like Sugarwings. Have a great week.

[alaurajane]

Hi Karla; Oh what a fun birthday party for your sweet Sugarwings,,,,, every one sure was having a great time.... loved the videos,,, so much fun for so little.... Happy Birthday Sugarwings... even though I am late in saying so.... she is just so adorable...

Hugs;
Alaura

[Riased In Cotton~Carol]

Oh Karla what a magnificent party for little Sugarwings~ You should be an event planner fro Kit's birthday's!!!! Is that sweet Pixie Pie with Sugarwings??? Adorable:)
xoxxo, Carol

[Robin]

what a wonderful party! Yes the kids will remember all that for sure...and it doesn't have to be a dog and pony show for it to be fun!
The slip and slide was a great idea!

[Suz Reaney]

Looks like loads of fun for all of you. You should send this into Family Fu magazine, Karla. Its a great party. Sugarwings looks as pleased as punch!
Hugs,
Suz

[bettyann]

Karla you are the bestest grandmother ever..I am going to keep your ideas to heart as my granddaughter is only 4 months old...wish i had been there the mermaid party looks fab....

[Jennifer Hayslip]

Karla, Im giggling up a storm! That video of you kicking up your heels is priceless! I think you enjoyed yourself more than Sugarwings. hee! hee! Love the decor and theme! You scored at the LB flea market! Your imagination is never ending! Looks like Sugarwings had the best birthday party ever!
Oh! The pin the shell on the mermaid is FABULOUS!!!!
XOXO,Jenn

[Dorthe]

Karla, you are a wonderfull grandma,
-what a great surprice party you made this little girl,and her friends.It is just fantastic, and I can see you enjoyed :) everything so beautifully made, and just for tthe kids to love- you are so sweet.
Hugs,Dorthe

[Bobbi]

I bet everyone slept well that night! Thanks for the video, I laughed out loud at both of them...esp. loved seeing "Grandma" kick up her heels! (Our Grandmas were OLD, do you remember?!!!!) What fun!!! BTW, Mickie is doing well, slow but sure. Your Friend, Bobbi

[Laraine Atherton]

What a wonderful party. Sugarwings is such a lucky little girl to have you for a grandma. Everything came together so beautiful.....so professional. I am going to send the link to my daughter for future birthday ideas. I am sure I saw some sea horses in Hayleys stash of toys.
Laraine

[Mitzi Curi]

I'm impressed with your kick, like many other readers....were you a Rockette in another life? And your Sugarwings singing Happy Birthday on "stage" is precious. Oh, one more thing: I think it's so great that you join the kids and have fun with them on their level instead of standing on the sidelines barking out orders and reprimands. You are one cool Grammy!

[sadie]

just lovely. Happy Birthday sugarwings :o)

[andrea singarella]

oh how fun this looks! Love the video of you all (especially you being your light-hearted self)! Sugarwings will never forget this mermaid party I'm sure!

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

What a great party, Karla. Sugarwings sure is lucky to have you as her fairy grandmother!

[jeanie]

Terrific tips, Karla -- and the photos are wonderful. I hate it when people say it "costs so much." Sure, it can! But you've shown how very easy it is to use what you have, shop cheap/dollar store/sales and have a blast!

[kayellen]

I love it!! Looks like a wonderful time was had by all~~~
What a special birthday for your adorable granddaughter:)

Love the mermaid art poster you painted!!tooo cute!!

Kay Ellen