The Not-so-Plain Party (kids birthday party on a budget)

The measure of a good birthday party is not whether it's picture perfect and looks like it could be featured in Donna Hay's Party Edition.
It's how wide the smiles of the kids are. It's how happy the birthday boy is and how hard he hugs you when he says, "Thankyou mama for an awesome party."

That's success right there; that's what you do it for. Not for pretty pinnable pictures or accolades from fellow bloggers - you do it for the shining eyes and happy laughter of your child and his pals as they have FUN.

By which standard I would say that Scrag's Just Plain Party was a resounding success.

Our "just plain party-on-a-budget" was created to the birthday boy's exacting specifications. Every game played, every item of food on the party table, every guest on the list, were all according to his wishes.

The birthday boy counts down the sleeps, crossing off each day on his calendar. Until finally the day dawns clear and sunny, despite the weatherman's predictions of rain.

[my sketchy "Scrag" figure from the invitation was printed out large and used as decoration ]

When guests arrive there are Dressups to change into, in our carport boutique. (We culled our costume collection and donated double-ups and outgrown items to our happy young guests).

Our resident Face Painters are also on hand to decorate the faces of party guests...

Who needs professionals when you have clever big sisters like Fab and Yaz around?

Game time begins with energy-burning Sack Races...

We use old pillowcases for the sacks and have several rounds, followed by  a "plate" and a "cup" final. The paparazzi are there to interview the winners...

It is hilarious (as well as easy to organise and fun to do).

Next up, Musical Mats. Fun and super easy.

We play the music and make them dance. Each round we take away a mat; the music stops and the dancers race to find a place to stand. We keep going until we have a winner. Or two.

[toadstool mats re-used from our fairy party; super easy to make]

It's thirsty work, all that jumping in sacks and dancing on toadstools. Just as well we have refreshing old-fashioned (homemade) lemonade on hand...

We catch our breath by sitting down for a game of Pass the Parcel - with a twist...

Between each layer is the ubiquitous lollipop, for sure, but every so often there's a note instead, daring them to take up a challenge in order to get their sweet treat...

[Stuff marshmallows in your mouth and say "fluffy bunnies"; hop on one foot for ten seconds
while patting your head; sing the national anthem - a few simple dares liven up this classic party game ]

The random dares keep things moving; it livens things up and keeps them all on their toes.
While they've been passing the parcel, I've been hiding treasure hunt tickets around the garden (for after we eat) and bringing out the food.

And now finally it's time for the colourful birthday feast...

We have all the party food favourites on offer: pikelets with sprinkles, red cocktail sausages, chips, popcorn, mini donuts and fruit skewers, as requested by the birthday boy.

We also have rainbow cupcakes and jellies...

(which I am rather proud of, I must say)

Finished eating? Had enough sugar? It must be Treasure Hunt time...

Hunt around the garden, in trees, under tables, inside letterboxes. You're looking for yellow tickets...

Look around the garden - there's some on the driveway too... Hey! Why is everyone rushing off to the driveway? Two canny lassies stay back and scoop the pool, finding loads of tickets while everyone else scours the driveway. Kids are so funny. But don't worry - everyone finds a ticket and gets a prize. Eventually.

We're almost out of time. Oops almost forgot  to do the birthday cake. We can't have that!

"Happy birthday dear Scrag, happy birthday to you...." we sing (tunelessly).

The party guests leave wearing their upcycled dressup outfits, sporting facepaint, lugging more upcycled prizes and a goody bag filled with sweets (just in case that gleam in their eye is from having so much fun not so much sugar).

The birthday boy is happy. He hugs me and tells me he loves me.
We pulled it off. A themeless classic kids birthday party, filled with colour and fun for ten guests costing under $100 for everything.
It's possible. I just proved it.

And didn't we all have such a loverly time?

MORE PARTY AWESOMENESS:

• Tip for a Birthday Party on a Budget
• My Just Plain Party Challenge
• My Party Page
• How to Build your own Lemonade Stand
• Rainbow Cupcakes
• DIY Face Painting
• Why Party? (my party philosophy)

Partying Big on a Little Budget (Plain Party Challenge)

Just a few days now until Scrag's 6th birthday "Just Plain Party" and do I look worried? Do you see me rushing around like a headless chook, spending weeks making and creating?
Hardly at all.

Why? Because it's a Just Plain Party, created to Scrag's very specific instructions and it's wonderfully simple, while at the same time colourful, festive and fun. And cheap. Stylish-but-cheap. Simple but beautiful. Easy but fun.

I have set myself the challenge of creating all my parties this year for under $100 each for everything including food sweets drinks decorating, the lot. So far, just a few days out I am sticking ruthlessly to my budget and I can see the finish line.

With a combination of re-using, upcycling, dollar-store shopping and a bit of ingenuity and creativity the party is promising to be a load of colourful fun. I even have a rain plan.

Here's how I'm putting on a great party for ten kids for under a hundred bucks...

Re-using, Re-cycling:

• DRESS-UPS: I have gone through our mountainous pile of dressups and pulled out a bunch which we are happy to part with. When the guests arrive they will be able to choose a costume to wear and they will be able to keep it. This helps me clear space in our cupboards and sends each guest home with a cool new dress up outfit = win. (Cost=zip)
• FACE-PAINTING: We are pulling out our collection of face-paints and upon arrival the guests will also have their faces painted by Miss Fab and her clever pal, Yaz (who rocked Scrag's Carnival Party with her awesome paintjobs). I love getting the big kids involved in running the party. The girls will also take photos of the guests dressed up which I will email to their mums afterwards. (Cost = zip)
• LEMONADE STAND: Where would I be without my trusty Lemonade Stand? I built it last year (myself!) for the carnival party - it cost nothing because it was made out of ripped-up decking timber. You could easily build something very similar using pallets found free at the dump. (Cost = zip)
• DECORATIONS FROM PREVIOUS PARTIES: I have a few bits of bunting and a ribbon chandelier that we will be re-using - the more bunting the better, I say. My clever friend Deb has also whipped me up a strand of gorgeous vintage sheet bunting for (in exchange for a book) which is a dream come true. (Cost = a book).
• PRIZES: Scrag has requested Pass-the-Parcel and a treasure hunt. For the prizes we are making use of unused Happy Meal toys (cars, packs of game cards) as well as outgrown DVDs, leftover choccies from the goodie bags and a few other repurposed bits and pieces. More on the games later on. Cost=zip.
• GAME PROPS: Scrag also wants to play musical "chairs" and have a sack race. I'm pulling out my felt toadstools (made for Miss Fab's fairy party six years ago) to use as the "chairs"; I'm using old pillowcases for the sack races. I did splash out on a $2 medal for a prize for that one. (Cost $2)

Styling

I have tried hard to juggle cuteness, colour and party-cool with Scrag's requests and the restricted budget. By shopping at the dollar store  and making use of every colourful dish and plate in my possession the eclectic style will scream "fun". Everything is paper (straws, cups, plates) so it is recyclable (good for the planet); I found the same style you usually see in boutique party stores but at a fraction of the price. (Most of it I found at "Look Sharp", a new dollar store which has a massive party range, really cheap; when I went in they also had 30% off everything - bonus!)

I am particularly proud of  my recycled painted tin cans in their wooden holder (found at Typo a while back for a bargain; I use it all the time). The cans have their labels peeled off, are washed and painted using left over testpots. The holder will display straws, spoons and napkins.

PRINTABLES

Of course a party of mine would not be complete without some printables. These ones are based on Scrag's hand-drawn party invitations, and are perfect for a non themed party for either a girl or boy. I printed them out black and white and then hand-coloured them with colour pencil (being so very budget conscious). If I were braver I might have let Scrag help me colour them. But I wasn't.
First we have "Thank you for coming" labels...

Next is the "fizzy pop" soda bottle labels, which turn .85c Homebrand lemonade into a work of art....

I plan to drop a couple of dots of colour into each bottle just before the party, for a bit of excitement without too many nasty chemicals....

GRAB THE FREE PRINTABLES
These labels print out black and white on an A4 page; you can then colour them in yourself or get the kids to do it (if you're brave). Click to view them larger. Right-click to save to your computer. Print them out then colour them in, trim and use. Enjoy!

Game Ingenuity and Rain Plans
So all this was of course planned to be gorgeously outdoors under the trees, with bunting flapping gently in the breeze. The weather forecast has put a bit of a dampener on that and after a brief moment of panic (and disappointment) I've made a Rain Plan.

Some the of the games can easily be played indoors: Pass the Parcel, Musical Mats and even the Treasure Hunt. But Mr G is convinced that we can still do Scrag's favourite Hide'n'seek outside along with a few other energy-burning faves if we tell the parents to send their kids with gumboots and jackets.

We shall see. But in the meantime, at least I'm prepared and not freaking out (the weather is so unpredictable at this time of the year; hope for the best but plan for the worst).

[I used leftover Christmas wrapping paper for the layers and a collection of treats and repurposed gifts for the big prize]

GAMES
Pass the Parcel can be a bit "meh" for those of us watching on, so I've added a couple of surprises in some of the layers along with the inevitable lollipop between each layer, just to shake things up a little. The kids who unwrap three random layers will find a note saying: "To get a lollipop you must...." Sing the National Anthem. Hop on one foot for ten seconds while patting your head. Stuff these six marshmallows in your mouth and say "fluffy bunnies" three times. Hehe.

Meanwhile my upcycled treasure hunt is a wonder of cleverness and ease (if I do say so myself). On the left you see twenty (mostly upcycled) prizes tied up with curling ribbon and tagged with a numbered ticket.
The tickets are left over from the carnival party last year and have a matching ticket which will be hidden either around the garden or the house, depending on the weather. I have added colour coded ribbon - pink for girls' prizes, blue for boys', green for gender neutral; no boys will end up with Barbie Mariposa, and the girls should avoid ending up with a bag of toy cars.

It can easily and quickly be set up either indoors or outdoors depending on how the weather turns out. Feeling so clever right now.

And there you have it. Three more sleeps until my first ever Just Plain Party. I think it's coming together nicely.

• KEEP the things you make for one party to be reused at other parties. Keep the crafty leftovers from one party to the next. I collect all my leftover bits and bobs in file boxes - ribbons, string, tickets, feathers, fabric, you name it. You just never know when that stuff can be used again. Toadstool mats from the fairy party will come in handy again, as will the lemonade stand, the ribbon chandelier, the bunting. The tin cans you carefully collected and peeled labels off for Boy vs Wild, will be reused and/or repainted. Save yourself time and work by keeping what you've already made.
• COLLECT/INVEST in things that can be used again and again. Like a face paint collection you add to bit by bit. Like our glass drinks dispenser, the mini glass drink bottles, whitewashed crates, mini blackboards, cake and cupcake stand... over time these generic items have accumulated until now we have enough cool stuff to whip up a stylish party at a moment's notice. They have all been used again and again.
• PLAN AHEAD so you can shop on sale: If you know what the plan for your next party is well ahead of time, you can grab the bargains when you spot them. Adding a bag of sweets or cake decorating bits (when you see them on sale) to your groceries over time also helps absorb and spread the cost.
• BE CLEVER. Instead of spending 10% of your budget on a bunch of helium balloons, buy a pack of long balloon sticks from for $2. Or make faux helium balloons like I did here. Don't buy branded soft drinks - get Home Brand and then add your own printed labels (use my freebies; I have loads of styles). Use what you have, borrow what you don't; enlist friends and even your kids to help run the party instead of parting with cash for entertainers and face painters.
• REMEMBER that the most important thing is that the kids have fun - not that your party is fit for Donna Hay. Take the pressure off and simply enjoy celebrating your kid.

Party on, my friends!
.....................

More Party Inspiration:

• My Just Plain Party Challenge
• My Party Page
• How to Build your own Lemonade Stand
• Cupcakes for Everyone
• DIY Face Painting
• Why Party? (my party philosophy)

My "Just Plain Party" Challenge...

When we were camping in January, I was sitting reading in my moonchair one evening, and overheard my youngest two nattering away about their parties. It should be explained that my kids start thinking about their next party pretty much while we are still sweeping up from their last one. (Hardly surprising with a party nut for a mother, I spose)

So there they are discussing what they each wanted for their party this year, and what did I hear?
Scrag saying: "This year I want a just plain party. I just want balloons and pass the parcel and those red sausages and normal party food."

Well blow me down.
After years of themed parties, entailing months of planning and making, my little guys is dreaming of a "just plain party".

It rather caught my fancy, I must say. The novelty of throwing a party with no theme!
My naughty party mad blog-brain started picturing vintage bunting and whimsical old fashioned gorgeousness, but I had to give myself a little shake.
My son was not asking for a vintage whimsical old fashioned party. He wants a JUST PLAIN PARTY.

Huh.
How do I do that? Where is the challenge? How do I get to use my creativity without going overboard? How can I give my little lad what he wants (a plain party) while still making it... Fabulous. Fun. Festive.

I have been pondering this since January, and I've come up with a plan.

This year all my parties are going to be done on the cheap.

I am setting myself The Just Plain Party Challenge, with a total budget of $100 maximum for everything. Food, decorations, invitations, activities, drinks... the lot.

I'm going to demonstrate that a wonderful time can be had by all at a fab and fun party without breaking the bank or having an embolism.
I'm going to use my creativity to upcycle, create, find, reuse, hunt down, make and borrow everything that we need for a fabulous party without stress or fuss.

What do you reckon? Not a bad challenge aye?
I plan to track my spending and stick to my budget. (Now I need to find a good simple app for this purpose - recommendations welcome!)

To help me refrain from getting carried away, I sat down last night and asked my son: "What do you want? To Eat? For Games? Activities?"

Bless him, it's so flippin simple this is going to be a doddle.

Scrag's Just Plain Party Plan

FOOD:
Red cocktail sausages, donuts, cupcakes, jelly & icecream, apple shapes, mini hotdogs, pikelets with sprinkles, chippies.

TO DRINK: Lemonade

GAMES & ACTIVITIES:
Pass the Parcel, Sack races, Musical Chairs, Hide'n'seek/tag and a treasure hunt

He also wants to put out all our Dressups, have some face-painting and get Miss fab to take photos of his friends dressed up.

DECORATIONS:
Balloons. Lots and lots of balloons. Bunting will be accepted as well. And the lemonade stand, of course.

BIRTHDAY CAKE:
"Chocolate, please mum. With a number six on it."  (Are you sure I can't convince you to have a rainbow marble cake, son? Maybe in the shape of a six?)

THE INVITATION:
"Anything you make for me, mum. I love everything you make."

...................

How much easier could this be???
Hang up lots of balloons and bunting... voila! A party we shall have.

The guest list has stretched from "six friends" to "nine friends...please?" (he wants to invite girls this year). But still, that's not too many at all.

Scrag is so excited about his party, and especially that he is helping to plan every detail. Each morning he comes in my bed and says, "I just can't wait til my party, mum; only 38 more days to go!"
Bless him.

His Just Plain Party dream is going to be realised. Heck I'm actually really looking forward to this!


P.S. If you have any tips for economical clever decorating tips, fun party food, upcycling ideas, please share them with me.

And if you want to join in my Party Challenge (throwing a party on a budget of $100 or less) let me know - maybe we can make it "a thing" if there's enough interest

• My Party Page (evidence of an obsession)

Carnival Photo Booth to Brighten the Day

I woke up and it was one of "those days". The kind where, right from the start I'm not doing too well. The kind where every sound "triggers" an anxious response, where my hands don't work and my brain is on a go-slow.

Schoolday mornings are not the best time to be a mess, so thankfully I have a husband who is caring and helpful (as well as flexible with his work hours). He did drop-offs for me while I gathered my wits.

So here I sit, still dressing-gowned, having a day where I "take it easy".

With not much work on, wintry wind and cold outside, and a feeble sun only now trying to break through the clouds, I thought I'd take the time to upload the snaps taken at Scrag's Carnival Party Photo Booth, by our lovely 11-year-old neighbour, Oscar.

The bright colours and funny faces have cheered me up no end. And I now feel ready to get dressed and tackle my dirty dishes and laundry pile. 

I hope they brighten your day like they did, mine...

[ABOVE: Our photographer's little sisters]

[ABOVE: The Vossen-Chongs]

[ABOVE: Lyns and family]

[ABOVE: Granny Winnie and Mr G]

[ABOVE & BELOW: My friend Justine and her pet tiger/leopard]

[ABOVE: The Burges, the Lequeta's]

[ABOVE & BELOW: The photographer's mummy - my friend Linda - and little sis]

[BELOW: Dash the Tiger, and his buddy Lou]

I still can't quite believe we pulled off that party. It was a mammoth undertaking, especially with that last-minute change of venue. Every time Mr G looks at the photos he shivers and says, We were so lucky, getting that Kindy.

PHOTO BOOTH DETAILS: 

Photo Booth Backdrop: An Ikea "flag" duvet pegged up on a wire. Was meant to be an awesome backdrop of colourful streamers like the one I pinned (left). Just ran out of time on the day. Accessories: A collection of funny hats, wigs and glasses were in a trolley for people to grab and use

Carnival Photo Scene: I painted this myself on a large flattened furniture box, and cut out holes for people to poke their faces through, just like at a real carnival. My pictures aren't perfect, but they are fun. All you need is a big enough box, lots of colourful paint and a box cutter.

More Carnival Party Posts:

• The Carnival Party to End All Parties
• Carnival Party Prep and Free printables
• Carnival Party, Here we Come (Planning)
• How to Build a Rustic Lemonade Stand
• Popcorn Cupcakes (dairy and gluten free)
• Personalised Carnival Invitation