Creative Child February 2019 | Page 11

The easiest way to start saving on party decor is to stock up on items when they are on sale or clearance. Choose items that are not theme specific and select a variety of colors that are gender neutral. Basic birthday signs, party lanterns, and photo backdrops can be reused again and again. You can even make your own decor out of stronger materials like cardstock or cardboard or hit up the dollar store for streamers and signs that can be used repeatedly. As you collect a stash of items, store it someplace that is organized and easily accessible when the next birthday arrives. When purchasing items for the special day, it may be wise to spend a little extra money on birthday items that you know can be used many times over several years. Purchase games that can be used every year like bingo, bean bag toss, or yard games such as badmitten. These games are fun for any party and will see a return on your investment quickly. Chalkboards for birthday signs, cake stands, and punch bowls can also be purchased once and used for many parties. You can also buy dress up items that can be used for a photo booth year after year such as hats, silly glasses, feather boas, or masks. Kids of any age will have a great time posing in different costumes. Many of these items can be purchased at a dollar store, garage sales, or may be laying around your house. Choose a basic birthday backdrop for your photo booth or use a plain sheet or tablecloth to keep things simple and affordable for your photo backdrop. There are also fun apps that allow you to put in different backdrops if you use a green background. Photos taken in the photo booth can double as thank you cards for your guests. 10