Birthday Parties on a Budget 

Now that the recession has made party planning a budgetary consideration, New Jersey venues may make concessions for cash-strapped parents. The key is being savvy about what you ask for, and being fair—not cheap. These party businesses still must make money, especially when so many people are cutting back.

Here are 10 tips to help navigate the bargaining process and contain costs.

1. Consider booking your party during the week, especially for a toddler’s birthday. If you can host it on a weekday morning, the venue won’t be as crowded. Birthdays are a low-profit window for kids’ play spaces, so they’re often more willing to make concessions. Ask if they might include free food for the moms (at least one children’s museum has done this).
    
2. Research which venues offer the best deals. For example, if one ice-skating party venue has a great deal, consider approaching another one (that may be closer or more convenient for you) to see if they’ll match it. If it means they win out over a competitor, it could mean a great deal for you!
    
3. Instead of a bakery cake, consider getting an ice-cream cake (which is usually less expensive). Or a cake from one of the warehouse stores can be decorated to look like a cake from an expensive bakery—personalized to your child’s interests (you can buy the cake topper kits separately).
    
4. If you’re planning a large party (bar mitzvah, first birthday, etc.) ask if the venue will consider adding all gratuity costs, drinks, etc., into the per-head figure. This will help you control all the little costs and keep you from going over budget. I was surprised when a venue granted this request, keeping my per-head cost around $30.
    
5. What are some extras the venue can throw in? Invites, paper products, favors (coupons for guests), extra party time, and soda are a few. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
    
6. Usually a venue will hire a couple of teens to help with parties. Consider asking a family friend to lend a hand instead, and ask if the venue will remove this cost from your tab.
    
7. Avoid celebrating a birthday on a holiday, if possible, because you’ll probably have to pay extra gratuities for the party planner, delivery boy, and entertainer to work that day.
    
8. Look at places that will allow you to rent the entire party space. This is a great idea if you’re hosting a party for more than one child, or have a large number of guests. It often will be cheaper than paying a per-child rate.
    
9. Buy party supplies online at least a week in advance so you don’t have to pay extra for express shipping. At the very least, order balloons and a cake from a brick-and-mortar store well before the party so you don’t even take the risk of having to pay for “rush” service.
    
10. Check the clearance shelf at your local stationery store for deals on invitations. Some office supply stores also have blank cards you can personalize with a little creativity. Ink stamps or stickers can really jazz up an invite! Remember: minimalism is in these days, so less is more when it comes to decorating cards.

Here's another idea from Twitter friend @TribeAndJoy: "Share the party with a classmate born in the same month."

Mira S. Park is a North Jersey blogger, at mirabest.com, who focuses on local news and events, kids, food, parties, travel, and budget living.

November 2009