How to Make Your Child's Birthday Special On a Budget

All parents desire to give their children a birthday to remember, but some hit the hard realization that it isn't always financially feasible. I am proof that you can make your child's birthday special and memorable... without breaking the bank.

1. Sign up for birthday clubs. Do an internet search on birthday clubs sponsored by businesses such as Sonic, Baskin Robbins, and Cold Stone Creamery. These companies will e-mail your child free coupons for Wacky Packs, ice cream, and more on his birthday. There is usually a two-week or so window in which to use the birthday certificates, so you could take turns with your spouse using the birthday certificates over a course of several days to celebrate your child's birthday one on one, over and over!

2. Birthday balloons make it festive. Nothing thrills my children, especially on their birthdays, more than a good balloon bouquet. Now, if you're trying to be frugal, then it would not be prudent to visit the local florist for your birthday balloons. Your best bet is a dollar store or just buying an inexpensive pack of latex balloons and one mylar one to dress it up. Then ask around for helium -- you'd be surprised how many churches and businesses have a tank stored away somewhere. Someone would probably be willing to inflate your birthday bouquet for free or very cheap.

3. Make birthday decorations. Children are not hard to impress! My kids even like making their owns birthday favors, banners, etc. in the week leading up to their birthdays. Many printing programs have templates for all kinds of things -- from party hats to birthday favors and cards -- that you've probably never even noticed. Print them out and let your children color them. You can also find metallic birthday banners, streamers, and all kinds of novelties at the dollar store.

4. Replace the birthday party with a free outing or family potluck. There is no rule of etiquette that states that you must sponsor a birthday party and invite your child's entire school (and spend a fortune feeding and entertaining them all for an afternoon!). Drop by your local Chamber of Commerce and find a unique attraction or picnic area that you've never visited before. Your child will enjoy going somewhere new for his birthday, and you can have a very inexpensive day of sandwiches and ball or fishing with your family.

5. Get creative with cake. You don't have to be a Wilton graduate to impress a kid. Just tint some homemake frugal frosting with bright shades of food coloring and make a birthday cake that would thrill any kid. My mother-in-law recently found a Wilton dog pan at a yard sale for a quarter, and my 5 year old son was thrilled to get a "doggy cake" for his birthday. You can even use normal sized & shaped cakes to cut apart and piece together a birthday cake masterpiece. Get creative in decorating with tinted coconut, a variety of candies, and plastic toys.

These are just a few ideas of how to make a child's birthday special without all the traditional expense and commotion.