$100 Party Project - Stick to the Plan!

Are you ready to plan an awesome party for less than $100?

Great! Let's get started.

As a project manager and self-confessed bossy-boots-perfectionist, I love nothing better than a good to-do list. Birthday parties require a few more than one list though - so here's what I use to keep all those essential details in one handy spot - the Party Project Plan.

Don't laugh. You'll never turn back once you've used it.

It collates everything you need to create shopping lists, track RSVPs, and MOST IMPORTANTLY delegate tasks. For that is the next hot tip for planning a birthday party on a budget - call in favours, accept help when it's offered, and if it's not offered, just ask your sister/best friend/mum to do it for you. 

Accept ALL offers of help... no matter how small.

You can delegate anything and everything. Think of all your friends, what they are best at. Know a great cook? Ask them to make cupcakes or cookies. Know someone crafty? They can make you some bunting or special paper decorations. Handyman? He can knock up a cute table or set of serving boxes for all your delicious snacks. A great artist? Facepainter! Got a funny relative - turn them into the entertainment.

Then think of those other mums & dads you've helped out this year... does anyone owe you a favour? Maybe they can pick up the ice, bring an esky, lend you a tablecloth. Whatever you want/need - don't be afraid to ask someone else to help. Maybe you just need someone to arrive a bit early and help put the food on the table or blow up some balloons. When it comes to birthday parties, most of your friends and family will be only too happy to help.

So - get cracking, start filling out that plan. Decide on a theme, and next, we'll tackle the venue and invitations!


"Puh-leeeeeaaaaase?"
If all else fails... send for cute "beggar-reinforcements".

The $100 Birthday Party - it's possible!

Birthday parties are a big deal. For both mum and the celebrating child. I've heard the stories about extravagant parties for toddlers and tweens that cost upwards of $1000. Yeesh. My wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses combined cost less than that. 

I've heard stories about mums descending into despair about imperfect birthday cakes, and doing injuries trying to throw a fabulous party for their child. In fact, some of those horror stories are mine. Let's not talk about this year's party where I took two weeks off to plan and prepare, it rained all week, and I ended up horribly sick the entire time. Ooops, I digress.

But I'm learning from experience, and I'm here to tell you that you CAN throw an AMAZING birthday party for your child, for  $100. Yes you can. It's true.

Over the next few weeks, I'll go into detail on each area of the party-planning process, and my top tips for keeping costs down. But for now, there is just one thing you need to know:

It is not ridiculous to have a party planning spreadsheet.

Be prepared.

In fact, tomorrow, I'm going to share mine with you. Strap in readers - it's gonna be wild!