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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how much you pay for your children's birthday parties.

83 replies

Ilovechocolatetoomuch · 08/02/2019 19:53

I am looking at organising a party for my ds.
I am flabbergasted at some of the quotes I have been getting.
How much have you paid for a 2 hour party with entertainment?

OP posts:
Walnutwhipster · 08/02/2019 20:36

The last time I threw a party in a hall with entertainer was four years ago. All in it was just over £500.

Isleepinahedgefund · 08/02/2019 20:52

I live in an expensive place daaan saaaaf and I expect to drop £3-400 for parties. Thinking this year's is a complete bargain at £245 including everything! Less guests though as we're past whole class parties now.

Most expensive was about £500. Entertainer was expensive but awesome. Was a bloody good party!

Cheetahssitonfajitas · 08/02/2019 20:56

It's bonkers isn't it? I sacked it off in early planning and booked 3 days at centre parcs with the money. Centre Parcs is a dream world to DS and it went on for 3 days rather than 2 hours! Plus less torturous for me.

Dothehappydance · 08/02/2019 21:03

I did a class party for dd2 and it was just over £125 I think. Bouncy castle, food and bags. Ds had a magician, I think that was shy of £200 including hall hire.

Just done a joint one for the two of them at a trampoline place and that was £220 for 13.

Stompythedinosaur · 08/02/2019 21:08

Probably around £200 for village hall hire, bouncy castle, craft activity, food and party bags.

livingthegoodlife · 08/02/2019 21:21

around £200 is normal here. In march im doing a party for my son for about £100. My DD wants a magician party in the summer and im dreading the cost....

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 08/02/2019 21:23

Cheapest was £200 but we went 3 ways. Two ways last year - 370 each, by muself 600-700

Heronymous · 08/02/2019 21:25

£500 on a kid’s party?! Fucking hell. Guarantee the kids don’t actually enjoy it any more than a cheap and cheerful party at home!

Monestasi · 08/02/2019 21:29

I have never managed to do a birthday party under 1k.

This is in no way braggy. I really hope to put this kind of nonsense behind us now kids are getting older Blush

rosybell · 08/02/2019 21:32

We usually do parties at home. We have done a movie one - borrowed a projector, gave the kids popcorn and juice - but after some crazy running around with balloons.

Last year we did a treasure hunt for DS's 7th Birthday. Filled a trunk with toys (glow sticks/stickers/light up balls/Lego figures) and hid it in our local park. Pre- hid written clues for them to find in the woods on the way. It was lots of fun and cost approx £50.

Have also done soft play (round £100) and hired bouncy castle for the garden (£70) . Wouldn't spend more than £150 I don't think.

MammaMia19 · 08/02/2019 21:33

Hall party came to over £500, the entertainer was £280 on her own. I feel a bit ill about that now when I think about it!
Build a bear party came to £270
This year my finances have changed so I'm budgeting £150 for a small bowling party.

Oly4 · 08/02/2019 21:33

£200 for two hours. A whole class party costs £400 to £500. Eye watering

Mysterycat23 · 08/02/2019 21:39

£175 entertainment
About £60 food and baking a cake myself
Paper plates etc about £5
Hall hire £35
Hourly rate to myself food prep/planning 10h @ £10/h another £100

Dread to think really Grin

SpiritedLondon · 08/02/2019 21:39

Entertainer £200 -£220. Hall hire £40 -£50 for 3-4 hours ( includes set up and clearing up time). No idea about food costs and party bags but would estimate £450 altogether for around 25 kids including bespoke invitations ( vista printing) and helium balloons.

Brainfogmcfogface · 08/02/2019 21:41

£500 on a kid’s party?! Fucking hell. Guarantee the kids don’t actually enjoy it any more than a cheap and cheerful party at home!

I couldn’t fit the 23 kids who came to DDs last party in my flat! And not would I want to.
DDs cost £500ish in total. But I started saving from January for the party in October. It’s her last as an only child so I did go all out. Next one will be at a softplay type centre where it’ll be £110 all in inc food/cake/sweetbags for 20 kids.

Hunter037 · 08/02/2019 21:43

I wouldn't pay more than about £100 for a kids party.
You can cut costs by:
Not bothering with fancy party bags. Slice of cake, balloon, bottle of bubbles and a packet of smarties or something.
Making your own cake or asking a friend
Doing your own food or asking a friend
Not catering for adults or choose a time of day when adults won't expect to eat much (say 3 to 5pm)
Cutting down the guest list. Does he need to invite the whole class (if he is)? Could you just invite 10 closest friends?
Find a friend with a close birthday and do a joint party

TBH cutting the guest list is the biggest money saver as you then need a smaller venue, less food etc.

Ithinkmycatisevil · 08/02/2019 21:43

I'm in shock at some of these prices!! I have never paid more than £100 for a kids party ever! And never would!

My kids have a had some fab parties. Some of the best of all their friends tbh. I guess it's the circles you move in and the peer pressure to have a party better than the last kid.

Hunter037 · 08/02/2019 21:45

I also can't believe people spend £500+ for a kids party! We could do weeks holiday for the whole family including food for that sort of money.

Justletmego · 08/02/2019 21:47

My sons 1st birthday I didn't actually total up what we had spent but thinking about it now the cake was £150, probably £250 on food and drink although maybe more, £200 on decorations, £120 on party bags, softplay £100. I absolutely loved it though and we saved money having it at home and we didn't get him any presents.

PositiveVibez · 08/02/2019 21:58

Don't mind paying for dd's parties out of the house. Couldn't be arsed tidying up/arranging things to do etc.

Well worth a few hundred quid to save the hassle.

Last one was the least expensive we've had. Cinema with popcorn and drink and American diner style lunch afterwards for 11 kids.

thaegumathteth · 08/02/2019 22:02

We’ve usually spent about £150-220 on parties over the years

Have included :

Football stadium tour and match tickets
Laser tag
Football coaching
Bath bomb and cocktails
Pony riding
Bouncy castle

MondeoFan · 08/02/2019 22:06

I paid £70 hall hire, £200 entertainer, £110 cake and £100 food but from M&S, Party Bags £40 so all in all £520

Seniorschoolmum · 08/02/2019 22:07

Lasertag here is £12 each so 10 people, £120 including sandwich tea.
Or village hall for a couple of hours plus an entertainer £120

Then I make a big chocolate cake and buy some gluten free stuff just in case. I don’t do party bags because I hate all that plastic stuff.

Hunter037 · 08/02/2019 22:07

£800 on a 1st birthday party Shock

This is starting to make me feel back about my daughters first birthday which cost about £40 and her second which is next month and is costing even less because she's having a joint party with her best friend.

When she's at school will she be expecting £200 on decorations and a £100 cake? She will be seriously disappointed!

MrsDeanWinchester75 · 08/02/2019 22:27

dd has got her 6th coming up with 30 kids attending.
£20 Hall hire
£50 Disco with games and prizes
£50 food and party bags.