Homemade is cheaper than store-bought.
Finances are tight, so a lavish birthday party for your daughter is out of the question. Maybe not if you plan a party using inexpensive themes that are sure to still impress. The most important part of a girl's birthday is making her feel like the most special person in the world for just one day, and that doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Use what you have on hand or shop sales and discount stores to get the few supplies you need. Does this Spark an idea?
Pancake Party
Host a pancake party. Use in conjunction with a sleepover or plan it as a late-morning or early afternoon brunch. Pancakes are inexpensive to make regardless if you use a mix or make them from scratch.
Decorate the breakfast party table with your nicest tablecloth or pretty sheet. Set an attractive flower arrangement in the center. Pick flowers from your garden or use a potted plant you already have. Purchase a package of plain cheap cloth napkins and stencil each girl's name on them. Use cheap plastic favor rings as napkin rings and let the girls keep both the napkin and ring as their favor.
Serve each girl a stack of pancakes. Have a choice of toppings available including syrup, chocolate and strawberry flavored syrups, candy sprinkles, whipped cream and sliced fruits. Let the girls top their pancakes as they choose. Serve homemade cupcakes at the end of the party.
Draw a stack of pancakes on a sheet of poster board. Cut out yellow rectangles from heavy paper and attach loops of tape to the back. Girls can play butter the pancakes using the same rules as pin the tail on the donkey.
Tie-Dye Party
The best part of this party is the activity is also the favor. Purchase packs of cheap men's or boy's white cotton undershirts before the party. Use fabric dye in at least two colors. Fabric dye is cheap and available at craft and discount stores. Mix the dye in separate metal bowls according to the package instructions. Set the work area up outside or cover the floor and furniture with a painter's drop cloth.
The girls twist up their shirts and secure each twist with a rubber band. Soak the shirts in the dye bath for the length of time recommended on the package. Combine colors by dipping one part of a shirt in one color of dye and the other in a different color of dye.
Wash and dry the shirts while the girls open presents and eat cake. Make a tie-dye cake by frosting a standard sheet cake in two or more colors then swirling the colors together with a toothpick.
Play '60s music during the party. Tie-dye an old white sheet before the party and use as a table cloth. Make peace signs and large flowers out of poster board and hang around the room as decorations.
Tags: before party, discount stores, each girl, party table, poster board, stack pancakes