If you are a parent, you will know that a big part of having children is spoiling your kids. It’s the kind of thing we all swear we won’t do when we have our first one  – then fast forward two years and the house is practically overspilling with gifts and toys! You do, of course, only live once, and it’s part of a mother’s natural instinct to do everything she can to give her child a happy and comfortable life. But treating your children in such a way can also bring about some not-so-nice consequences, usually in the form of an unhealthy looking bank account. The last thing you want is for your spending habits when it comes to your kids getting out of control and thus you have to cut back on other things in your lives. But what about those occasions that automatically require a big expense, such as birthdays? Fear not – take a look at these clever hints and tips for how you can give your child a brilliant birthday on a budget.

Create online invitations

There’s no need to spend out on printing and posting out birthday invitations. You can create beautiful ones online and also keep track of who has RSVP’d too with Paperless Post.

Don’t pay full price for gifts

Getting a discounted gift doesn’t necessarily mean getting a lower quality gift. Websites such as DontPayFull.com offer multiple coupons and codes that can get you money off a whole hoard of items – even brand new ones! You might be someone who immediately avoids shops with sales on or consider coupons and vouchers too much ‘hassle,’ but try and look at things objectively. Many of us immediately think that the more money we spend on a gift, the better it is but is your child really going to know the difference between something that cost £30 and something that cost £15. Every little saving helps, so shop around and see if you can find a bargain today.

Hold the party at home

The party is a huge part of your child’s big day, and chances are you’re going to want to pull out all the stops. But that doesn’t mean you need to go totally overboard with a flashy venue – especially if your child is still quite young. Consider holding the event at your home instead. Granted, it might be a little intimidating, having a bunch of kids running amok on your property. But take some steps to kid-proofing your home, and you shouldn’t have too much to worry about. If you feel like you might need backup, ask some friends or fellow parents to come and help supervise – two pairs of hands are always better than one!

Make your own entertainment

One of the biggest costs of a birthday party for your child has to be the entertainment. But it is really quite an unnecessary cost in the first place when you can just make your own entertainment yourself. Arrange challenges for your child and their friend, such as a treasure hunt around the neighbourhood. You could even borrow a friend’s slip and slide or rent a bouncy castle fairly cheaply – much more cost-efficient than paying a children’s entertainer £50 an hour.

*Collaborative post

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