Party Planning How To: Plan a Kid's Party on Less than $50!

One of my favorite memories from childhood is the birthday parties my momma threw us girls. They dwindled a bit as we got older and didn't care as much. But those ones when we were younger, with the decor and "loot bags" were simply wonderful!

This is a tradition I have aimed to perpetuate for Wilder and Story. Every year a birthday rolls around I'm so excited to brainstorm budget-friendly party themes and ideas.

This year was no exception. I had come off of a very exhausting weekend, but was able to pull off the Monday morning party at the park okay! I'm glad a friend arrived early to help set up.

I knew that for Wilder's fourth it'd be sweet to honor his love for books. His nose is always in a book! Over the years I have collected tons of vintage children books, so I knew I had the "base decor" already!

Vintage wire baskets: one mine, one borrowed

Red R.E.A.D. letters: borrowed

Three tired stand: already had

Vintage books: already had

Wooden crate: already had

White quilt: already had

Mason jars tied with chevron: already had

Brown paper "runner": postal paper from dollar store

Bunting: made with scraps of chevron, burlap, and book pages

Paper pinwheels: made for my inventory at the shop, out of book pages

Cake: made by me (quadruple layered of devil's food and butter cake)

Paperware: dollar store

Fresh fruit, M&Ms, alphabet crackers, juice boxes, bottled water, cake mixes and frosting ingredients cost the most.

Then the kid's book treats followed in a close second.

TOTAL COST: $45

I found Richard Scarry board books at the dollar store. I packaged them with gummy worms, a bookmark, and twine. I used vintage book pages stapled to the top of each baggie of worms. These were the kids' favors.

Happy FOURTH Birthday, sweet child of mine.

You are a gift straight from the throne room of God.