Woohoo! It’s your little one’s birthday soon, and you are getting all teary eyed with the sweet memories of when he was born and how fast he’s growing!
However, after you swim your way out of the memory sea, you crash into the reality rock. Yes, he wants a fancy birthday party, just like his best friend had last month.
Sure, birthday parties can be lots of fun and super entertaining. But, they can also be tiring, demanding, and yes, expensive.
While we can’t really help you with the first two, let us tell you some fun ways to throw an awesome kid’s birthday party in Singapore on a budget. Here you go!
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Venue
First things first. If you think about the major costs around any party, location will top the list. It is a cost hogger that you can totally avoid.
When organising a birthday party, consider your home as the first option; just because it’s free!
If you think that it will get too cluttered at home, why not use that huge pool in your condo or the multi-purpose hall beneath your flat? You’ll probably have to seek prior permission, but it’s worth it.
Which kid doesn’t love a pool party with fun floats, toys, and the works? Alternatively, you could get creative and arrange a party at a farm like Hay Dairies, where the kids can feed and milk goats!
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Invites
There is just too much hype around invites these days. However, don’t let it get to you. You could keep it personal by making a handwritten invite on a brightly coloured paper or search online for free printables.
Keep the party décor theme in mind while selecting an invite so it makes everything look in sync.
How about printing out your kid’s picture and adding a text invite beneath it? If you don’t have the time or patience to make an invite for every guest (we hear you!), don’t worry.
Take the eco-friendly way and send out e-invites. Make a cute picture or photo collage along with the invite and mail your guests or better, WhatsApp them.
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Décor
This is a tricky one. When it comes to party décor, the sky is the limit. However, you must limit yourself and your excitement by allotting a budget for this. Here are the two options you have:
- DIY: How about finally putting to use all the fancy DIYs you have seen on Pinterest? Remember how they made a wall décor by displaying the kid’s photos using a simple thread and wooden clips?
It can be the ideal way to take a walk down memory lane. You could also buy a pack of balloons and a pump to blow them up yourself instead of buying balloons from outside.
- Buy: If all the pretty DIY ideas online have failed to awaken the Martha Stewart in you, fret not. The local Daiso or Japan Home is here to the rescue!
These stores are loaded with adorable décor items which cost around S$2 (trust us, they don’t look cheap). But don’t be lazy and pick up the first one you come across; make sure you check the store thoroughly to find the décor you like the most.
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Cake
Aah! The cake – it could easily be the prime reason why most kids attend parties (or even a few adults). They come in some of the most impressive styles, flavours, and shapes these days.
But remember, if it’s a budget birthday party, you don’t need to have a cake that can win an international title. Instead of spending S$50-S$80 on a cake, check these options:
- DIY: When your guests appreciate the cake at your party, won’t you be proud to chime in, “Oh the cake? I made it myself!” and then add, “Naah, it wasn’t that difficult.”
We are sure you would love to. With the Internet loaded with ‘easy cake recipes’ (even no-bake ones), it is completely possible to bake your own party cake.
To make it easier, use fruits/biscuits/chocolates as decoration and not the complicated whipped cream creations. Check out this vanilla layer cake topped with raspberries which you can learn in under four minutes.
Unbelievable, but true.
Tip: try to make the cake once before the actual party to make sure you get it right. After all, you don’t want any mess up on the big day, do you?
- Buy: If you have no time or inclination to bake a cake, we totally understand. Keep a few things in mind while buying the cake from outside and you will still save substantially.
Make sure you order regular flavours (exotic = expensive), have basic and limited cake toppers and don’t over order.
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Food
This can be a major expense if you don’t deal with it carefully. The easiest way around it is not having a party around meal times.
How about throwing the bash in the afternoon so that refreshments and the cake would suffice? However, if you want to have a lunch/dinner party, why not experiment with cooking?
Again, the internet is loaded with easy recipes, and some of them are specifically for parties. Finger foods such as chips and dips, and french fries are all-time favourites and super easy to make.
How about trying something different like dates wrapped in bacon, for a change? Before you pay at for the grocery at the store, don’t forget to whip out your HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card which will give you 5% cashback on your spend.
Alternatively, why not save time and money and order groceries online?
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Entertainment
This is a must-have for every party. If you leave the guests just to talk among themselves, the energy in the room will drop in no time. Kids, especially, need to be kept entertained, for not just theirs but everyone’s happiness!
Entertainment need not always be expensive. Instead of hiring an established singer or musician, why not call your friend who is a budding guitar player. You can also mix music through phone apps such as Cross DJ and djay 2 and become a DJ yourself!
Putting up a photo booth is another fabulous idea to keep your guests entertained. It’s thrifty and fun.
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Party favours
While you are at the shop buying party décor items, don’t forget to check the return gifts. Save cost on the gift by being smart and creative. How about making a goodie bag filled with many tiny items like stationery, candy and accessories. It will always be cheaper than buying one big thing.
Alternatively, you could have a handmade photo frame with your kid’s photo along with the guest. This one is personalised, cheap and will hit the right cords.
Use websites like printvenue and That Corner Shop to order personalized gifts like mugs and calendars and make use of the discounts these sites generally offer.
In the end, parties are all about the smiles and the cheer. Your guests will remember the fun they had at your party and take back great memories. So, keep it simple.
Also READ: This is how Singapore celebrities celebrate their kids birthdays!