Birthday Party on a Budget

Need to throw a birthday party on a budget? Julia from New Jersey shares her ideas for creative budget birthday gifts and decorations.

Birthday Party on a Budget

Shared by Julia S, Middletown, NJ

This year, when my twins turned 24, I needed a birthday party on a budget because of the bad economy.

I just did not have very much money to spend for presents like I normally do.

I came up with some great budget gift ideas that they ended up loving. So here's my unusual birthday presents that I came up with. I hope you can use these birthday ideas as well.

I bought them each two small gifts that they had asked for. I then ordered small gift boxes online from a place called U-line. I had to order 100 but the cost was about $27.00.

I assembled 24 boxes for each of them to correspond with their age. The boxes were approximately 4"x4"x3".

Birthday Party on a Budget : Birthday IOU Ideas

Next, I went online and found free blank IOUs which I printed out. They were very attractive, hearts and roses for my daughter and a very masculine IOU print for my son.

I then proceeded to write out IOUs for such things as 1 free 4-pack of Red Bull, 1 free haircut, $10 gas money, 1 free ebay purchase (under $20), 1 free hair care product, etc.

I also bought a few $5 gift cards for the local convenience store and Dunkin' Donuts. I then placed either an IOU, gift card or cash (a few dollars) into a gift box, covered it with tissue paper and wrapped it in colorful birthday gift wrap.

I did this until all 48 boxes were wrapped. I placed the 48 boxes all over the dining room table. My daughter's were tied with purple ribbon from the dollar store and my son's were tied with green ribbon, so they would be able to tell which ones were theirs.

It really was something to see these 48 colorful little boxes all over the table.

I had also purchased a $1.00 vinyl HAPPY BIRTHDAY table cloth which made it look even more festive. What a great time they had unwrapping each little box and discovering the treasure inside!

It made the birthday really special and they can use their IOUs all year long. They know they cannot turn them in all at once because of the money situation, but they are fine with that.

They are actually enjoying using them periodically. I also figure, like most parents, we are usually giving our kids a few dollars here and there, so I just turned them into presents.

I figured the outlay for the birthday including the two small gifts for each, boxes, wrapping paper, ribbon, tablecloth, cash and gift cards came to about $100. (Not bad for two birthdays) and the rest is spread out over the year.

I think this inexpensive birthday IOU idea would work well with young adults who like practical gifts and cash.