One simple strategy will minimize birthday party preparation, clean-up and costs: Having your birthday party somewhere else besides home. Any birthday party can get expensive, and you might think having a party away from home would double the cost. But believe it or not, the amount you spend often goes down when you have the party away from home, not up.
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Thinking about planning a movie-themed party for your child’s birthday? There are so many to choose from. Classic movie watchers know “there is no place like home” for a backyard party with a Wizard of Oz theme. Generations of children have enjoyed the story of Dorothy and her friends’ journey to the Emerald City. Simply grab your ruby slippers and host a day of fun with games and crafts that your munchkin will love!
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As my teenage daughter’s birthday was approaching, I asked her if she wanted to have a party with some friends. “I guess,” she answered in her typical non-committal way. While she thought she could have a great party by just inviting friends, ordering pizza, and plugging her phone into a speaker to play her favorite tunes, I knew she and her friends would spend much of the party concentrating on their phones instead of each other.
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The financial and emotional stress of hosting a baby’s first birthday party may take a toll on parents hoping to celebrate their child’s birthday and reminisce about the wonderful journey their baby has taken them on during the past year. From balancing guest lists to planning the menu to choosing a theme and finding the perfect outfit for your child to smear cake on, a child’s first birthday party leaves many parents feelings as though they’re planning a wedding reception.
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