Yellow smiley face cupcakes are perfect for a ’70s party!
In October I posted about the frugal NASCAR birthday party I threw for my son. Now it’s time to tell you about the frugal party my daughter had over the weekend. I wish I could take credit for this idea, but my daughter planned her own party. I keep telling her she should become and event planner someday. She plans all of our big celebrations.
Liz found the idea for a 70s party in American Girl magazine. Cost of the magazine: $0. She checked it out from the school library.
She decided she wanted a slumber party, because that’s what 10 year old girls are into. She narrowed down her list of invites to her 3 best friends. She can fit 4 girls in sleeping bags in her bedroom, so that was the perfect number.
For dinner we ordered pizza. The cost of two pizzas: $35. We could have cut that cost down a bit by making dinner at home, but I always let the birthday kid pick the birthday party meal, and we had budgeted for it. Pizza was our one big splurge for this party.
After dinner is birthday cake, of course. To stay true to the 70s theme, I made yellow smiley face cupcakes. Cost of the cupcakes: $.70 for the cake mix and $1.18 for the frosting. I also spent $2.50 on ice cream. I could have saved by making my own frosting, but I always manage to screw up the frosting, so it’s safer to spend the money.
To keep the girls busy, Liz planned a craft. What better craft for a 70s party than making a pet rock? The girls each painted their own pet rocks. Cost: $0. The rocks came from our front yard, and we already had the painting supplies on hand.
Finally, no party is complete without party favors. I hate to buy cheap junk that just gets thrown out when the girls get home. So I went to Walmart and picked up some tie-dyed fabric on clearance. Then I went to the Dollar Store and picked up four brightly colored picture frames. We took pictures of the girls, using the fabric as a backdrop. I printed out the pictures, inserted them into the frame, and we had instant party favors. Cost of the fabric: $2. Cost of the frames: $4.
Total cost of food: $39.38
Total cost of supplies: $6.00
Total cost of party: $45.38
The sound of my daughter squealing happily with her friends: Priceless
February 26th, 2008 at 7:45 am
What a fun idea! I’m sure the girls all had a blast and never even knew that you were trying to be frugal. I really love the photo frame idea instead of cheap trinkets. Awesome job
February 26th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Sounds like an awesome party! So American Girl has a magazine too? Off to the library we go!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Love the photo idea for party favors…especially since the girls are all friends. The photo in itself could be priceless to the girls one day. Great party.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Did you tell them “this is what I wore, ate, etc.” in the 1970s? And listen to top 40 tunes on a (gasp!) record player?
Seriously, this sounds like a groovy party theme.