Birthday Party On A Budget: How To Celebrate Without Overspending
A budget party works when you spend on one or two things people notice and save on the rest.
These ideas work for children's parties and milestone birthdays like a 50th or 60th alike.
Shop the cards that go with these
Browse birthday cards Pin badges How to plan a birthday party Birthday party planning checklist
Cards and decorations for the party
Birthday cards designed in house and printed in the UK, plus decorations to dress the room.
Save on the venue
- Host at home or in the garden
- Use a park or beach for a picnic party
- Ask a local pub for a free function room in exchange for drinks sales
- Book a church or village hall off-peak
Save on food
- Do a potluck or 'bring a dish'
- Make one big pot - chilli, curry or pasta
- Serve afternoon tea instead of a meal
- Make the cake, or decorate a supermarket one
Save on decorations
- Pick one colour scheme and stick to it
- Reuse a banner year after year
- Use fairy lights and candles - they transform a room cheaply
- Print photos of the birthday person through the years
Budget milestone parties (like a 60th)
- An afternoon tea at home with family
- A pub lunch with a set menu
- A photo board and a playlist of songs from their year
- A memory jar instead of expensive gifts
Where to spend
- A good card and a heartfelt message
- The cake
- One standout decoration, like a balloon arch or banner
Found your words? Now find the card
Browse birthday cards Pin badges How to plan a birthday party Birthday party planning checklist
Never miss the birthday again
Pop in the date and we'll email you a reminder two weeks before, with a link to the right cards. No spam, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Party decorations
Banners, balloons and bunting to finish the room.
Daisy Flower Happy Birthday Cake Topper
£3.15
Rose Gold Happy Birthday Cake Topper
£3.30
Wooden Happy Birthday Cake Topper
£3.15
Wild One Children's Birthday Cake Topper
£3.00
Rainbow Happy Birthday Banner
£4.95
Gold And Pink Happy Birthday Banner
£3.30
Pastel Daisy Happy Birthday Banner
£3.30
Gold And White Happy Birthday Banner
£3.30
How to write it so it lands
- Write the budget down and split it before you shop.
- Buy decorations after Christmas and summer sales.
You might also be interested in...
We make cards, pin badges, prints and party bits in house. These are from other shops we rate, and buying through the link costs you nothing extra.
Family Guy Party Supplies - Birthday Cake Topper, Balloons, Banner & Decorations
78PCS Colorful Photo Booth Props Set Novelty Funny Hats Wigs Glasses Props Sign Perfect for Graduation Birthday Bachelorette and All Occasions
Where to shop next
- How to plan a birthday party
- Birthday party planning checklist
- How far in advance to plan a birthday party
- Party supplies
- All birthday cards
- All guides
- Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
- Birthday badges & party pins
- How to make a balloon arch
- Photo booth prop ideas
- Party bag ideas for adults
- How much helium do you need for balloons?
- Birthday cards for kids
- Good luck cards
- Pin badges
Frequently asked questions
How can I throw a birthday party with little money?
Host at home or outdoors, ask guests to bring a dish, use one colour scheme for decorations and spend on just the cake and the card.
How do you do a 60th birthday party on a budget?
Hold it at home or in a pub with a set menu, make a photo board from family pictures and play songs from the year they were born.
What is a good example of birthday party on a budget?
"Host at home or in the garden" is one of 19 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.
Can I copy these messages word for word?
Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.