How to have the best birthday party for the least amount of money

Have you ever had a great birthday party so bad that you need to have another birthday party but don't know what to do?

If you're planning a birthday party! Although the whole planning process is exciting and fun, it can also be overwhelming at times. Especially if you don't know how to plan a party from scratch. 

When do I start? What should I focus on? What should we eat? How can I make sure the party is fun? We know these questions have come to your mind more than once, haven't we? 

We've prepared a guide to help you plan this birthday party like a pro. Don't worry – any questions that may arise during the planning process will be answered here!  

Sounds tempting? Then start reading now! 

1. Decide on a budget 

How much are you willing to spend to organize everything? Divide your preferred amount into elements like venue rental, dining, drinks, entertainment, decorations, and birthday cakes, and any other party elements you want. Don't rush through the process! Consider which option best suits your budget. Is it hosting a party at home and preparing your own food, or hiring a catering contractor or renting a bar or restaurant to handle all the prep for you?

2. Choose a birthday party theme and style 

A great theme can enhance the atmosphere of the party, so be sure to choose a good theme. Determining the theme will help you choose the ideal venue and other party elements, such as food and decorations. You will be able to make events coherent and therefore easy to remember. 

Regarding themes, any theme decoration you can find online, you can choose a theme that everyone will enjoy, such as cowgirl/cowboy, jungle, glitz and glamour, disco or rock star, or build a theme related to you and your hobbies. Maybe you're passionate about handcrafting or love Marvel or Game of Thrones? Use it to your advantage and come up with something to remind everyone that it's your birthday.   

There is no right or wrong birthday party theme. You can get creative or keep it simple. Most importantly, you can spend the time of your life with your favorite crowd. 

3. Set a birthday party date

The main thing about having a birthday party is choosing the right date, and the right date is a key part of planning any birthday party. Determining the theme will help you choose the ideal venue and other party elements, such as food and decorations. You will be able to make events coherent and therefore easy to remember. 

After all, this is a key factor that affects attendance. 

If you don't want to spend too much money renting a venue, consider hosting a mid-week party. Most establishments will offer lower prices back then, which may get you to rent some more upscale venues for a lower price! But you have to think about the presence of personnel.

4. Choose the best birthday party food and drinks

Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue or an elegant dinner party, food is always at the heart of any celebration. After all, neither you nor your guests want to go hungry! Consider offering something that is both appropriate for the occasion and in line with the theme and style of the party.

Use finger foods that can be easily eaten when standing or sitting. For a sit-down dinner, you can consider a full menu or buffet. Each option has its pros and cons, so take some time to decide which is best for your party.  

Don't be afraid to get creative and make exciting choices for your birthday party. After all, the more unique the options you offer, the higher the chances of party success!

birthday cake

Of course, you also need a piece of cake! This is a tradition that most guests expect at birthday parties. Try making your own cake, personalizing it with any color or image you want. Or you can order at your favorite bakery and ask them to customize it to your individual taste. If you don't like birthday cakes, consider offering cupcakes, your favorite pie, or pie. 

5. Create a guest list

To have a good party, of course, you need guests!

Remember, don't ask for friends who seem to be nice to you, they will affect your mood, and pay attention to whether there are conflicts between the guests you invite, after all, you don't want your party to become a battlefield.

Take a moment to figure out the relationship between the people you want to invite. This checklist will help you figure out how to plan your space to make sure everything is in place. And, of course, figure out how much space each person needs to relax and enjoy the party. 

6. Book the ideal venue

Whether it's something as simple as booking a stylish bar or going all out to build a lavish ballroom, rented venues will take your event to the next level. Renting a venue for a birthday party is a great way to treat yourself and throw the celebration you've always wanted.

Having a birthday party at a certain venue will give you the opportunity to fully dedicate yourself to spending quality time with your guests. Going back and forth to the kitchen to get more food? Worried about cleaning up after the party? Do you take care of everything alone? Why not skip it all and enjoy a well-deserved celebration!

7. Choose entertainment

Now, let's jump to the fun part: birthday party entertainment! If you want your party to stand out, you need to offer some kind of activity that keeps guests engaged from start to finish. 

To add even more fun, why not create the perfect scene with disposable cameras, props, and decorations to help everyone unleash their creativity! 

You can add some karaoke, organize an online escape room, or plan a murder mystery. You can even go a step further and hire a professional entertainer, DJ, band, or bartender. 

Hire a professional photographer who can capture all the special moments that can happen during the celebration. And you don't have to worry about missing any important details or worrying about the poor quality of photos taken with their phones by people who don't know how to use the camera properly! 

8. Send out your birthday party invitation

You already have your own venue, fun themes, decorations, and a selection of entertainment. It's time for the world to know about your birthday! 

What better way to do that than by sending a personalized birthday party invitation? You can design your own unique invitations to help you personalize your event. 

Pro tip: Once the invitation is ready, send it at least a month in advance so that everyone can mark the date on their calendar. 

You already have your own venue, fun themes, decorations, and a selection of entertainment. It's time for the world to know about your birthday! 

What better way to do that than by sending a personalized birthday party invitation? You can design your own unique invitations to help you personalize your event. 

Pro tip: Once the invitation is ready, send it at least a month in advance so that everyone can mark the date on their calendar.