So, you have a milestone birthday coming up and whether it is your own or a loved one’s, you want to celebrate in style. But, when you take into consideration potential expenses like venue hire, food, drinks, decorations, and of course a meaningful present, how do you do so without breaking the bank?
Well, it often requires a bit of creative thinking on your part. You can still celebrate a milestone birthday and make it an event to remember for everyone who attends while sticking to a budget. Follow these tips and tricks…
Don’t let a financial emergency ruin the day
Lots of time, effort and some cash goes into celebrating a milestone birthday on a budget – and why not? It’s important! Whether you’re planning to celebrate a 21st, 40th or 60th and are having a big shindig or jetting abroad, it pays to account for an emergency cost alongside your celebration plans.
A small savings pot is the best route, keeping aside a couple of hundred pounds or more in case the car breaks down or the boiler needs fixing. Alternatively, if you don’t have savings, the birthday money is already committed and it’s an emergency expense, you could look into a 6 month loan or a 0% interest credit card, to spread the cost and still plan your big but budget birthday celebration.
Keep it small and simple
No matter how old the birthday boy or girl is, they’ll want to spend their big day with as many of their favourite people as possible. However, this can lead to an invite list that quickly gets out of control. A lot can be said for keeping things more intimate.
For kids – whose milestones are usually around 13 and 16 years – suggest that a smaller party means more time and attention is spent on them. With adults, they probably only want to spend time with their nearest and dearest anyway.
Don’t hire a venue – look closer to home
Venues typically eat up the bulk of any birthday party budget. What’s more, finding the right location is easier said than done, especially if you have guests travelling to attend,from far away.
If you have the space, it is much more cost-effective to host a party at home, not to mention easier and less stressful as being your home, you’ll have as much time as you need to set up and clear away. You may even be able to rope in a few friends and family members to help make sure everything goes smoothly.
Be smart with food and drink
Feeding multiple mouths for as little as possible without spending or buying too much can be quite a challenge. Therefore, try to buy items in bulk, which can be easily frozen or stored for the future.
When it comes to drink, keep an eye out for special deals or buy cheaper alternatives to the bigger brands. Chances are your guests won’t be able to tell the difference anyway.
Create your own fun and entertainment
Who needs a band or DJ when you can curate a tailor-made playlist about the birthday boy or girl featuring their favourites? As for entertainment, come up with a theme or games that relate to their favourite pastimes or hobbies.
Taking the time to go the extra mile and carefully consider what they would truly appreciate not only makes their special day more memorable, it is bound to save you a great deal of money too.
