Counting Candles on US News and World Report July 2019

``Plan Ahead
``If you select your date, theme and venue early you have more time to wait for specials and sales,`` explains Helen Holden, the creator of CountingCandles.com, a birthday party planning website. Hatching a plan in advance also allows you to make a well-thought-out budget for the birthday party. After all, aside from the gifts you'll buy for your child, you need to consider how many guests you'll invite, whether you'll be serving a meal, where the party will be located and how much it will cost.
Seek Help From Family and Friends
``Let your cousin be the balloon twister or face painter,`` Holden suggests. She also recommends leveraging your friends and community to curb costs. ``Ask to borrow your friend's bounce house. (Or) make it a potluck and ask friends to bring something,`` Holden says.
Set a Party Time That Isn't Around Meals
Don't begin your party at around noon or 5 p.m. ``If you choose to throw a party midmorning or midafternoon, guests will not expect pizza and a full meal. Cake will do just fine,`` Holden says. Otherwise, you can expect to pay plenty for a meal. How much you'll save will vary, but RoamingHunger.com, a street food and catering website, suggests the average price is $10 to $25 per person for a catered party with a food truck.``

13 Tips for Throwing a Budget-Friendly Kid's Birthday Party - US News and World Report, July 29, 2019