Nanica Brown is a storyteller and marketing genius. She has some brilliant ideas in this guest post about saving money on loot bags, and creating a fun and easy party! Thanks, Nanica!!
I love planning parties. Well actually I am a much better adult party planner than kids’ birthday party whiz. I get adults, I know what we like. Kids, well not so much.
When I asked my soon to be three-year-old what theme she wanted to do for her birthday she said: dinosaurs, Doc McStuffins, Agent Oso, babies, balloons, cake, sparkles, Pinkie Pie, the stars, moon, planets and a bounce house.
Clearly, less Disney Chanel is required at my house. Anyway, she couldn’t make up her mind and I was at a loss. Fortunately a trip to Target saved the day.
A few days after Valentine’s Day I’d gone to Target to get a gallon of milk (ahem, escape my kids for a few minutes). As I wandered through the One Spot section (their version of a dollar store) right in front of my eyes it hit me. Hellooooo Kitty!
Target was blowing out their seasonal product line which included all things heart shaped and Hello Kitty. I was able to buy bracelets, necklaces, colouring packs and felt bags featuring Hello Kitty for between 10-50 cents a piece.
Jackpot!
I scooped up enough bags to cover the hoard of children that would be coming to celebrate and it cost me less that $20 AND I had a great theme for her third birthday.
From there it was easy. I borrowed a cake pan and bought a Hello Kitty printable set on Etsy and invited all her friends. Then it was just a matter of waiting since her birthday was in April.
Two months later we had a great birthday – there was fun, friends, family, cake and the most important part for parents – the bounce house. All of the guests left with great goody bags that didn’t break the bank and I am already on the hunt for deals for my son’s pirate / Phineas and Ferb / Star Wars / costume party coming up in December.
So share – what are your cheap but amazing goody bag ideas?
Editor’s note: Nanica OWNS a bounce house (best mom EVER). But you can rent one – here’s a list of bounce houses for rent in Calgary.