I love a good celebration. Cake, presents, balloons, all of the fixings. When it feels like there is only sad in the world, a birthday gives us a reason to cheer and make someone else feel special. However, there is something as too much birthday (just ask the Berenstein Bears). How can you celebrate those you love without overspending? I’m so glad you asked. Here are my best money saving birthday ideas!
Think Outside of the Cake
We love a good baking reality show. Cakes that spin and shoot fire out of them are a marvel to take in, but your little birthday boy or girl doesn’t need such an expensive piece of confectionary. After all, the cake is made to be eaten not kept for years. So don’t pay too much for what basically amounts to sugar, eggs, and flour. This year, you could make milkshakes or a pie or even a dozen or two of your grandma’s best cookie recipe. You don’t need a fancy cake. Ask the one you’re celebrating what dessert would be their favorite way to celebrate a special day.
Reusable Decor
Instead of purchasing every character item in the birthday aisle annually, try to find a few pieces that you can use each and every year. Not only does this create a special tradition within your family, everyone can use/wear it cutting down on costs. From a birthday sash to a special plate, from reusable bowls and baskets for food, you can add a piece each year. If you or your little one still longs for a special theme, then purchase the napkins only.
Sign Up for Freebies
If you didn’t already know, I have a deep addiction to all things FREE. Birthdays are the very best time of the year to snag things out and about without spending a dime. I’ve rounded up some of my very favorites in 15 Great Birthday Freebies. From beauty products to restaurant meals and everything in between, I’ve gathered up some of the very best programs I look forward to every year. As with any freebie or coupon, be sure to use a designated e-mail address specifically for that purpose only. This will keep your work and personal inboxes from being clogged with offers and newsletters. Try to avoid birthday freebies that require you to make a purchase (i.e. free dessert with an entree, etc.) because let’s face it, that’s not really free. But then again, I am a freebie purist.
Brainstorm a Favorite Free Way to Celebrate
Sit down with the birthday boy or girl and brainstorm something fun to do that wouldn’t cost anything at all. Maybe it’s a day spent hiking at a park or a bike ride. Maybe it’s a trip to a destination where you already have a family membership. Maybe it’s sitting down to watch a classic movie that you already own. Maybe it’s playing a board game or on the swing set. Maybe it’s baking cookies or reading a book. Get creative together and find a fun activity that doesn’t cost anything. And then dive into that celebration with zest.
While I’ll be the first to admit that the trappings of a birthday celebration are incredibly fun, the true reason we celebrate is LIFE. So why not spend time and not money on birthday, celebrating what truly makes another year special – the person you’re celebrating.
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
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We use the same (tattered, now) Happy Birthday letter banner for all 5 of our birthdays. It has layers of Scotch tape across the letters, but something about the tradition of dragging that ol’ thing out every year makes me think we’ll keep it forever.