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Frugal Birthday Party Planning

June 26th, 2007 at 02:44 pm

My youngest DD turned 8 on Father's day and we are having a birthday party for her this weekend. She loves dogs (to the point that she stalks people with dogs when we are out so she can pet the dogs) so we are having a dog themed party. I almost always have at home parties. I just don't see the point of spending hundreds of dollars on a kids party. We went to a very cool store on Sunday to get themed party favors. US Toy/ Constructive Playthings. They are an educational/teacher resource store but also have all the little prizes, favors, etc. in all sorts of different themes. They have a catalog and probably a website. For $12.30 we were able to get 2 dozen each of dog pencils, dog print erasers, mini dog notebooks and a roll of dog stickers. These along with bone shaped sugar cookies (to be baked tonight) and a bit of candy, will make the "doggy bag" favors for the guests to take home. I got a pack of 30 cellophane treat bags from the dollar store for these (also pink plates, napkins and tablecloth). We will use existing felt and materials to make dog ears for each guest to wear and probably get some beads to make "dog collar" necklaces. That will be a craft for everyone to do as they arrive. We will play games like "dog trainer says" (Simon says), Pass the Puppy (Hot Potato) etc. The highlight will be a dog food eating contest where they have to eat a bowl of dry dog food without using their hands (it will really be generic chocolate cereal which looks alot like dog kibble). The trick is, I will not tell them right away that it is cereal. I am planning to drag in my 33 lb bag of real dog food and make them think I am using it to fill the bowls. I have done this before at previous parties and it was really funny. Some thing eating dog food is a cool idea and others won't even eat it after they see the cereal bags. I am making an ice cream cake and will decorate it by sprinkling colored sugar in the shape of dog bones (using a cookie cutter to create an outline). I will also hit the local produce store for some fruit and veggies to put out, along with some pretzels and chips. If I a feeling really creative, I may even make up a batch of cupcakes and decorate them to look like dogs or footprints. We will see how pressed I am for time. Either way, I think I can pull the whole thing off for less than $50.00. I will have to keep track of my expenses and see how I do. So far I have spent 12.30 for favors, 4.24 for paper goods and 6.97 for postage for the invites.

4 Responses to “Frugal Birthday Party Planning”

  1. monkeymama Says:
    1182866022

    I did a Clifford the Big Red Dog Party for my 2yo and got the cutest idea for a cake too - it was one round cake and 3 cupcakes arranged in the shape of a paw. Everyone loved it (like I had slaved over it or something). But we had the dog bone cookies and all that.

    What can I say, I was pregnant, I am not sure I will do anything like that again, I think back about all the baking and craziness I was doing for my 2yo, with a baby due any day, but I was in the nesting stage and wanted to go all out for some reason - LOL. I usually make a box cake and order some pizza. Wink
    But sounds very cute and creative!

  2. Ima saver Says:
    1182868373

    I love all the idea, especially where you are going to put the "cereal" in a real dog food bag. Really cute!

  3. fairy74 Says:
    1182889754

    Very cute and thrifty idea! I laughed at your description of your daughter. When I as her age, I ran around "rescuing" all the local strays and anyone who's dog was not tied down...Hope the party turns out wonderful!

  4. robex Says:
    1182946304

    We had a dog themed party for my daughter's 5th birthday and I made Dh stay up with me half the night colouring black magic marker spots on white styrofoam plates, cups, balloons, and napkins. We added red stripes, and it looked like 101 Dalmations!

    The things we do for our kids...

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