Monday, 14 March 2016

Birthday Blog Blues: an 11 year old’s birthday on a budget


How are you supposed to budget for an ever changing scenario…….next week is Lily’s 11th birthday, I want a bowling party….no no no, can me and my friends all go to the cinema…..no no no what about Folly Farm?

‘I know,’ I said ‘Lily, would you like a Pamper Party?’



The big light bulb above her head was on full strength – yep! Oh yes, the decision had been made. 

Right, Jane needs to book a pamper person – thank heavens for college friends – experienced beautician booked and fee agreed (£25 for 2 hours blooming bargain)! Then there’s the goody bags: something a little different. A quick scout online reveals the funkiest neon coloured LED hair strand clip on – free delivery and if you buy 10 then just about 50p each – what a bargain!

Thank you Amazon; also I got the funkiest glitter for the face.

11 year olds don’t need make up, but glitter and lip gloss was going to be a fair compromise.

Then onto Home Bargains, low prices, well known brands and a carpark right on the doorstep a busy mum’s heaven.

Bars of Freddo chocolate, chewy sticks; some colour lip pencils; mini cans of some copies of ladies’ perfume (not the greatest aroma, but to an 11 year-old its divine - and only 99p for 3).

Just to finish the goody bags throw in some of those balloons that have whizzer noisy attachments (why should the other parents have all the peace?). ‘Frozen’ Disney bags a snip at 99p for ten and the goody bags are complete.

Home Bargains also came up trumps on the price of face packs 3 for £2 – 6 were purchased.

Next comes the food. It’s amazing how an 11 year old can be steered: pizza and hot dogs for 6 – no problem (and for under a fiver – thank you Tesco plus mum gets points on her card)…….cake left to buy, not too big but has to be to Lily’s liking – plus she wanted a chocolate cake.

After a lot of umms and aahs and maybes the chocolate caterpillar was decided upon.  

The party came and went – for 4 hours nails were painted, face packs were used, with cucumber for eyes, food was eaten, songs were sung (very loudly by 6 x 11 year olds) and the night was rounded off by sparklers in the garden (left over from bonfire night).

The whole night came in at under £50 – a very happy birthday – best party ever in the words of the girls…not bad for a budget party!

4 comments:

  1. A party isn't a party without a caterpillar cake!! :) x

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    1. There has to be cake - always, no matter how old you are !!

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  2. excellent idea and great to get a qualified therapist :-)

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    1. She was amazing, so accommodating, and helpful, girls loved her. Cannot recommend her highly enough....thank you my friend :-)

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