Birthdays can add a lot of stress to a tight budget, and throwing birthday parties can really mess things up. There are some great frugal birthday party ideas to help you celebrate and hopefully keep you on budget!
You can make a child’s birthday special without spending a lot of time, energy, or money on it. The key is to tailor the celebration to the actual child and to let go of your own emotions and expectations about birthdays. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has gotten sucked down the Pinterest rabbit hole of kids’ birthday party ideas. If that brings you and your child joy, great. But today I’m going to share some frugal birthday ideas for kids if you’re looking for ways to simplify.
Frugal Kids Birthday Party Ideas
Set A Budget & Save Up
Long before you pick a theme and send an invite, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend on the party. Set that number in stone and for older kids make sure they know the amount too! Take the amount you are budgeting and start saving now (even better is to decide on the amount, divide by 12 and save all year for it). One mom had a great idea to give her son a budget for his party and let him make most of the decisions about how to spend the money.
Skip Paper Invites
Paper birthday invitations are only something to go in your scrapbook, no one else keeps them for other people kids… So skip the expensive invites and stamps and go with free online invites through evite, Punchbowl, Paperless Post, or just call/text the parents. Hand written and hand delivered always work too.
Skip or DIY the Decorations
Let’s be real – decorations are usually more for the parents than for the children. However, trying to make everything look Pinterest-perfect can really add to the stress of party planning. It’s so much easier to grab simple decor at your local store. Use balloons, streamers, or even kids’ toys you already own (Legos, stuffed animals, trucks) as themed décor. We have a friend who just buys some balloons, a tablecloth and paper products to go with the birthday theme. They alternate the themed napkins and plates with solid colored plates to keep from paying more for the themed items.
Ditch The Party Favors
Another thing you can skip completely is party favors. Most kids won’t notice, and parents will likely be glad to go home WITHOUT a bag full of candy. If that makes you feel a tad too frugal, then work party favors into the activity.
The Walmart Baby Event is back this September, which means savings on all sorts of baby essentials all month long!
There are over 400+ items to on sale, including some exciting new product launches!
Baby Deal Ideas
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers, Size 4 -7 – $19.97 (reg, $29)
Hello Baby Monitor – $49.97 (reg. $80)
Owlet Cam 2 Baby Monitor – $79 (reg. $159)
Safety 1st convertible car seat – $119 (reg. $140)
only at Walmart
It’s a great day to shop at Aerie! Right now, you can score 60-75% off all clearance items with lots of new styles added!
No code necessary. Prices are marked. Shop the clearance for some super good deals.
Deal Ideas
Aerie Real Soft Trouser PJ – $13.48 (reg. $44.95)
Aerie Endless Summer Cropped Sweatshirt – $9.99 (reg. $49.95)
Aerie Take It Easy Crew Sweatshirt – $14.99 (reg. $59.95)
This sale is good thru 9/14. Get free 2-day shipping with ShopRunner (free to join).
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Branded socks are all the rage!
Right now, head over to Adidas where they’re offering 50% off this Adidas kids 6-pack of socks. This makes the socks just $9 – regularly $18!
There are two styles to choose from and these have great reviews.
This deal is good for a limited time and while supplies last. Shipping is FREE with Adiclub (free to join).
See more online shopping deals!
Are tissues on your fall shopping list? Head over to Publix and stack an eCoupon with this week’s B1G1 sale to pick up a 4-pack of Scotties Tissues for just $1.87!
Publix Scotties Tissue Deal (ends 9/16 or 9/17):
- Scotties Facial Tissues Everyday 2 ply or Triple Soft 3 ply 4 pk, B1G1 at $7.75 ($3.87)
-$2/1 Scotties Facial Tissue Multipack, Publix eCoupon
(makes it $1.87)
See the full Publix Ad for more great deals.
Right now, head to Ulta while they’re having their Semi-Annual Beauty Event! Through 9/18, get 50% off daily deals!
Here are all of the deals running today.
Daily Deals, 9/13:
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation – $28.50 (reg. $57)
Clarins Double Serum Complete Age-Defying Concentrate – $47.50 (reg. $95)
NARS Blush – $18 (reg. $36)
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Concealers and Powders – starting at $15 (reg. $30)
Right now on Amazon, get more than half off a pair of Dream Pairs Women’s Ballet Flats! Just use code G9ZDM42U to get the deal.
Even better, they’re also offering a pair of low wedges for just $15.99! Use code V3HEW5D9 to get that deal.
This is a great chance to get TWO nice pairs of highly-rated shoes for under $30!
See the Deals:
DREAM PAIRS Women’s Sole-Happy Ballerina Walking Flats Shoes $17.99 (reg. $29.99)
– Use code G9ZDM42U to get the deal
Makes it $13.49
DREAM PAIRS Women’s Low Wedge Sandals Open Toe Strappy Flat $18.99 (reg. $34.99)
– Use code V3HEW5D9 to get the deal
Makes it $15.99
Ships free with Prime.
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Here is a list of the deals from the new Walgreens ad that will start on Sunday, 9/14. Get Finish dishwasher tabs for $2.99, Scott paper towels for $2.75, and more.
Register Rewards – Month Long
- $10 RR when you spend $25 or more on select Cosmetics, Beauty Accessories or Skin Care (thru 9/27)
Revlon Cosmetics or Beauty Accessories, B1G1 50% off
Revlon Nail Clippers, $2.99
Revlon Colorstay Micro Easy Precision Liquid Liner, $9.99
Neutrogena Cosmetics, B1G1 50% off
Sally Hansen Nail Care Color, Treatments or Accessories, B1G1 50% off
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color, $12.99
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color, $4.49
-$3 off Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color Base and Top Coat, Save 08/24
-$2 off Sally Hansen Salon Effects Perfect Press-On, Nail Strips and Nail Accents, any, Save 08/24
CeraVe Skin Care, B1G1 50% off
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (16 oz), $18.99
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (12 oz), $15.99
-$2 off CeraVe product (sign up) printable
(buy (2) at $15.99 ea., use $2 off, makes it $10.99 ea.)
No7 Cosmetics or Skin Care, B1G1 50% off
Soap & Glory Bath, Cosmetics or Skin Care, 20% off
Botanics Skin Care, 20% off
L’Oreal Paris Skin Care, B1G1 40% off
-$10 off L’Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Skincare item, Walgreens eCoupon
Cetaphil Skin Care, B1G1 50% off
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, 16 oz, $17.99
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, 8 oz, $10.99
-$2 off Cetaphil Cracked Skin Repair Lotion, any 16 fl oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$2.50 off Cetaphil Exfoliating Products, select 8 or 16 fl oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$2.25 off Cetaphil Facial Cleanser, select 4.2-8 fl oz or 25-ct, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$2.50 off Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser, any 8 fl oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Lotion, any 8 fl oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$3.50 off Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, any 33.8 fl oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$1.50 off Cetaphil Products, select 3 or 4 fl oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$4 off Cetaphil Serums, 1 fl oz, incl Vitamin C and Ceramide Serums, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$2.25 off Cetaphil Baby, select 12 or 13.5 oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Cetaphil Cleansing Bars, 3-pk 4.5 oz Gentle or Deep Cleansing, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
-$2.50 off Cetaphil Facial Moisturizer or Treatment, select, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off Cetaphil lotion or cream, select 16-20 oz, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off Cetaphil Eczema products, select, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off Cetaphil Facial cleanser, select 16-20 oz, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Cetaphil lotion or cream, select 8 or 8.8 fl oz, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off Cetaphil Lotion or Cream, 16-20 oz, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Cetaphil product, excl 4 oz or less–Daily Facial Cleanser, Gentle Skin Cleanser, Moisturizing Lotion or Moisturizing Cream; 10 oz or less Cetaphil Baby; Single Bars; 25-ct or less Cleansing Cloths; KitsColorStrong Hair Color Product printable
-$2 off Cetaphil item, excl 4oz-, Daily Facial Cleanser, Gentle Skin Cleanser, Moisturizing Lotion or Moisturizing Cream; 10oz-, Baby; Single Bars; 25ct- Cleansing Cloths; Kits, Walgreens eCoupon
(buy (2) at $17.99 ea., use $2 off mfr and (2) $3 off ibotta, makes it $9.49 ea.)
La Roche-Posay Skin Care, B1G1 50% off
Palmer’s Skin Care, 20% off
Burt’s Bees Lip or Skin Care, 20% off
Hempz Body Moisturizer, $5 off
-$4 off Hempz Moisturizer, 17 fl oz, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
Differin Skin Care, B1G1 50% off
Differin Power Patch (36 ct), $11.99
Differin Repair Dark Spot Serum, $24.99
Differin Gel Acne Treatment, 0.5 oz, $19.99
-$1.75 off Differin Cleanser or Moisturizer printable
-$2.50 off Differin Gel Product printable
-$3 off Differin Acne-Prone Skin Patches, 36-ct, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$2.75 off Differin Acne Spot Treatment, 1 oz, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off Differin Gel Adapalene Acne Treatment, 15 g tube or pump, limit 2, Ibotta mobile app
-$5 off Differin Gel Adapalene Acne Treatment, 45 g tube or pump, limit 1, Ibotta mobile app
-$2.75 off Differin Maximum Strength Acne Foaming Cleanser, 5 fl oz, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
Gold Bond Skin Care, $9.99
-$1 off Gold Bond Product printable
(makes it $8.99)
Maybelline Sky High or Lash Sensational Mascara, $10.99
-$6/2 Maybelline Cosmetics item, Walgreens eCoupon
(buy (2), use $6/2, makes it $7.99 ea.)
Milani Cosmetics, B1G1 50% off
-$2/2 Milani Cosmetics items, excl lip liners, Walgreens eCoupon
Kiss Adhesive, Lashes, Liner or Nails, B1G1 50% off
Almay Cosmetics, B1G1 50% off
Almay Micellar Makeup Remover Pads, 80 ct, $7.99
L’Oreal Paris Cosmetics, B1G1 50% off
L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara, $11.99
-$6/2 L’Oreal Cosmetics items, Walgreens eCoupon
(buy (2), use $6/2, makes it $5.99 ea.)
Rimmel Cosmetics, B1G1 50% off
Rimmel Matte Lip Gloss, $6.99
Rimmel Mascara, $7.99
Rimmel Natural Bronzer, $5.99
-$2 off Rimmel London Lip Cosmetics, excluding kind & free, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Rimmel London Face Cosmetics, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Rimmel London Eye Cosmetics, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Rimmel Eye item, Walgreens eCoupon
-$2 off Rimmel Face item, Walgreens eCoupon
(buy (2) bronzer, use $2 eCoupon and Ibotta, makes it $2.49 ea.)
Pixi Cosmetics or Skin Care, B1G1 50% off
NYX Professional Makeup, $4.49 to $19.99
-$4/2 NYX Cosmetics items, Walgreens eCoupon
Q-Tips Cotton Swabs, 500 pack, 2 for $8
(buy (2), makes it $4 ea.)
Olive & June Nail Color, Sets or Treatments, B1G1 50% off
Olive & June Instant Mani Press-Ons, $11.49
CoverGirl Cosmetics, B1G1 50% off
-$2 off Covergirl Eye Product, excl Eye Enhancer Palettes, Easy Breezy Brow Fill + Define, Perfect Blend, accessories and trial printable
-$2 off Covergirl Face Product, excl Cheekers, accessories and trial printable
-$2 off Covergirl Eye item, excl Eye Enhancer Palettes, Easy Breezy Brow Fill + Define, Perfect Blend, accessories, & trial size, Walgreens eCoupon
-$2 off Covergirl Face item, excl Cheekers, accessories, & trial size, Walgreens eCoupon
Neutrogena Towelettes, $5.99 or $6.99
-$4/2 Neutrogena Cleansing Towelettes 20-ct singles OR 25-ct+ printable
-$4/2 Neutrogena Cleansing Towelettes, 20 ct singles or 25 ct+, Walgreens eCoupon
(buy (2) at $5.99 ea., use $4/2, makes it $3.99 ea.)
Aveeno Skin Care, 20% off
-$3 off Aveeno Facial Cleansing item, excl wipes & trial size, Walgreens eCoupon
-$5 off Aveeno Facial Moisturizer, Serum or Treatment, excl trial size, Walgreens eCoupon
Eucerin or Nivea Skin Care, 10% off
-$4 off Nivea Men Age Defense Daily Advanced Serum, 1 fl oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off Nivea MEN Age Defense Products, select, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Nivea Body Lotions, excl 3 oz-, limit 1, cannot use with other coupons, Checkout 51 mobile app
-$2 off Nivea Skin Firming and Anti-Wrinkle Neck and Chest Cream, 6.7 oz, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Nivea Skin Firming Body Lotion or Gel Cream, excl trial, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$1.50 off Nivea Me Face Wash or Scrub, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$1.25 off Nivea Men Shave Cream 6.8 oz, Shave Gel 7 oz or 2 pk 7 oz, limit 5, at Target, Kroger, Publix, Food Lion, Dollar General, Ibotta mobile app Read More→
Don’t forget to grab your favorite BIG cup and head to 7-Eleven tomorrow!!
All day at most 7-Eleven, Speedway or Stripes stores they are holding their annual bring your own cup Slurpee sale!
Rewards members (free to join) can bring their own crazy container and fill it to the top with your favorite flavor for just $1.99!
7-Eleven BYOC Day:
- Go to 7-Eleven anytime on Saturday, September 13h
- Fill your own clean and leakproof container with your favorite Slurpee flavor
- Pay only $1.99 no matter how much Slurpee you got
Container can be any size, as long as it fits in the 10″ space under the spout.Only 1 container per Rewards customer
Event is only for Saturday, so don’t miss it! Find the nearest store to you.
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