How to Make Birthdays Special When You're Straightforward (50 Cheap Birthday Ideas) - The (Mostly) Simple Life (2023)

Birthdays are a big issue in our house. Austin's birthday was a few weeks ago and it basically turned into an entire weekend of birthday celebrations!

Birthdays can be a very expensive event, but they are not usually with us.

The ultimate goal is to make the birthday person feel more loved and special. If you're a little creative, it doesn't have to cost a lot!

This is what we are going to cover:

Free or Inexpensive Birthday Decorations ($11 or Less)

We decorate birthdays whether there is a birthday party at our house or not. Decorating is very cheap and easy. Plus, it's a fun way to make a birthday more visually exciting than your average day.

Often if it's Austin's birthday I'll stay up late for a few minutes the night before his birthday to decorate so he wakes up to fun decorations! He does the same on my birthday.

Decorations can be very inexpensive. The dollar store is the best place to find supplies.

We usually buy a few colors of streamers to hang, twist and cover everything. Large rolls last for several birthdays. You can also buy a happy birthday sign at the dollar store that you can reuse. And don't forget a pack of balloons.

You can get a great set of birthday decorations on Amazon without breaking the bank.This set looks great!

To spend even less, you can use the crafting materials you already have on hand. It can be as simple as making signs with markers and printer paper. One year, I even made a happy birthday sign out of a stack of paper plates (one letter on each plate) and taped it to the wall.

cheap birthday meal

Instead of eating out on your birthday, it is much cheaper to prepare a meal at home. To make it even more special, let the birthday boy choose his favorite food.

If you are having a birthday party, here are someEasy and Inexpensive Meals to Serve a Crowd:

• Baked Sandwiches - I Love Itthis recipeand it can be done with time
• Grilled Brats or Hot Dogs
• Lasagna: Can be made the day before and baked before arrival (my traitorous lasagnait's even easier)

So, you need cake, right? Or at least a birthday dessert. It's really cheap to make your own cake and you don't have to be a fabulous baker.

Make a fancy box cake mix:

Just a simple boxed cake mix looks great if you bake it as a layered cake. I also discovered a delicious secret.

You can tweak the basic boxed cake mix recipe to make it even better. That's how:

1. No matter how many eggs the recipe calls for, add an extra one.
2. Replace the water with the same measure of milk.
3. Replace the oil with the same measure of melted butter.

These three settings make boxed cake mix juicier and richer, just like a cake made from scratch or bought from a bakery.

Again, a homemade cake can be even more special if you let the birthday person choose the type of cake they want.

Cheap Birthday Party Activities (Almost Free)

Birthday activities don't have to be expensive or over the top.

Here are some offree or cheap activitiesthat we did on our birthdays or family anniversaries:

• play board games
• Beach day
• treasure hunt
• play charades
• “Just dance" Party
• Play video games
• Go kayaking (if you or a friend has a boat)
• Play backyard games or go camping in the backyard.
• Make a craft (I taught them allhow to make candlesfor a party once)
• Pool party (if you or a close relative has a pool)
• three legged race
• riddles
• cape-of-war
• Arts and Crafts

It often works best to keep birthday activities simple. Just make sure the activities are focused on the birthday person and what they like to do.

cheap birthday gift ideas

Of course, gifts are where birthdays can get pricey. If you've already spent a good amount of money on gifts, you might consider telling the birthday boy that you're doing things differently this time.

If you don't have much to spend on a birthday present, don't skimp on the card. You can create a homemade card for free. Write a heartfelt note on the birthday card. Kind words mean a lot and most people can't be bothered to write a nice note.

Gifts don't have to break the bank! I already wrote a list ofgifts $15 or less, Be sure to check it out.

Here is a quick list ofcheap gift ideas:

• A treat such as fancy tea, coffee, beer or chocolate.
• Print and frame your favorite photo with them
• A flowering plant that can be enjoyed for years.
• Gift certificate to an ice cream parlor or snack bar
• Supplies for making a craft or project
• Homemade cake mix with cupcake decorating kit and candles
• Print out your favorite photos and make a photo collage/collage of the year to hang at home
• Children: onesticker activity bookobrain research(recently received for a niece and nephew and they love it)

Check also my topGift Ideas Under $10 That People Will Love!

16 FREE birthday gift ideas for kids

• homemade play dough or slime
• Movie night with movie and snacks of your choice
• Game night with board games/video games of your choice
• Cook your favorite food
• Reuse a dress or give it as a gift
• Make a new pillowcase or blanket (with your name on it!)
• Make bath bombs or bath salts with your favorite scent
• Take them to the park to play special games, have a picnic or swim (and bring a frisbee!)
• Visit a free local attraction that's fun for kids (beach, free outdoor concert, etc. Google "free events near me" for ideas).
• Create a fun cardboard figure.
• Amusing calcetines or calceteria
• Host a hot dog party with special toppings or make homemade pizza with your favorite toppings
• Prepare breakfast for dinner (with pancakes, strawberries and whipped cream?)
• Have your kids write, illustrate, or create a story together and then publish.
• Fill your pillowcase with "treasures" that you collect around the house...stickers, buttons, string, ribbons, clips, rubber bands, etc...
• Fun free activities with things you already have around the house but haven't used in a while. For example, write special messages on balloons and let them go out your window.

Read more at:.

Another good way to get a great gift is to go along with a few other people so you can buy a better gift, so don't forget about that option.

6 simple tips to celebrate birthdays with little money

• Set a base budget and stick to it
• cook your own food
• Go with snacks instead of a meal
• Keep the guest list short.
• Stick with the BYO drink mantra
• Use a free venue or celebrate at home

You can absolutely make someone feel more loved and special on their birthday without spending a fortune.

Inexpensive decorations, homemade favorites, fun activities and a thoughtful gift can all make for a fun birthday party!

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• How to Get Married for $1,000

⇒ How to make birthdays special at home? What is one of your favorite birthday memories?