Trying to Save Money while Planning a First Birthday Party

Liz is a Coupons, Deals and More reader trying to save money while planning a first birthday party in metro-NYC

Trying to Save Money while Planning a First Birthday Party

I recently threw a 1st birthday party for my daughter (Sat from 2-5 pm). I rarely throw parties so it took some planning. My time in limited in the day so it was difficult to save as much as I wanted but here’s what I was able to do for 31 people.

I originally wanted to make my invitations by hand, however, the costs (in time) proved to be too much. In the end, I used Evite which was free.

I wanted a variety of foods – snacks to pizza. For snacks, I got Lay’s chips that happened to be B1G1 the previous week at Stop & Shop and I had 2 B2G1 free coupons, so I ended up getting 8 bags for the price of 2, which was $8 ($1 per bag). I also got some Tombstone frozen pizzas which were B2G2 free and a free 1/2 gallon store brand ice cream. Each pizza cost $5.49 so I got 4 pizzas + 1/2 gallon coffee ice cream for $11. We also made dumplings for the party which involved ground pork, Shiitake mushrooms, scallions, chives, lettuce and dumpling skins. That cost $20. I got 3 bottles of soda at Rite Aid for $3.25. I forgot to use a $1 coupon. The veggie dip was $2.99 – $2 discover card coupon and the carrots were free from a S&S promo. The rest of the veggies were $4. Milano cookies cost $1.50 after coupon and the cake was $16.99. $65.74 total. I have a $10 rebate on frozen pizza and $5 on salty snacks so I will get back $15.

I had stockpiled plates when Chinet had those $2 lunch plate and $2 Crystal plate out over the summer when I was able to get them for 99¢ each for the dessert plates and just tax for the lunch plates. However, I didn’t ever stockpile any cups or utensils. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a coupon deal on disposable utensils. At the last minute, I went to Walgreen’s and used my RRs on their 99¢ forks and $1.99 Styrofoam cups. For napkins, I ended up using 50¢ after coupon Vanity Fair Dinner Napkins that I had purchased 3 years ago. Total Cost: $7.50.

The total was $58.24 net. Seven people were no shows so 25 total. I figure it could have been at least 1/2 the cost if I planned much earlier. But in one week and one set of sales, I feel it wasn’t too bad. It amounts to around $2.50 a person – worth it for the memories and the fun. In retrospect, if I had tuna salad sandwiches, I would have saved $15, since I have all this free tuna. Maybe next time.

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Liz lives in the Metro New York City area and is a first time mom to a 1 year old. She has been couponing for many years now, but couponing and saving with a baby feels like a whole ‘nother ball game.

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