1. make your own cake
2. set up in the kitchen where kids can decorate food. My oldest was born in December so for one of her birthdays the kids decorated Christmas cookies. I've also heard of having kids make english muffin pizzas, sundae bar, or decorate cupcakes
3. get invitations and thank you notes from Dollar Tree
4. get plates, napkins, silverware at Dollar Tree or other Dollar Stores
5. ideas for gift bags: pick up boxes of crayons when they go on back-to-school sales, suckers, look at Dollar Tree or Target $1.00 rack for other little toys. Last year I added tiny bottle of fingernail polish. Markers or play dough are also nice. My dd went to one party and they gave out whoopie cushions.
6. It's cheaper if you go to Chuck-E-Cheese and have a party hosted by yourself. Go early and get a nice table, and bring your own cake in. Look for coupons in the Sunday paper for pizza and token deals.
7. Oriental Trading Company has nice craft ideas and also have goodies for a gift bag.
8. host a slumber party

Any other ideas?

For thank you notes I actually either go to Michael's with the 40% off coupon and buy plain card stock with envelopes or BJ's and all the cars/wrapping paper are 50% off.

We have only had family parties .... so no goody bags, homemade cake, a few "theme" items with generic plates/napkins (solid color) which I have "in stock" in my basement when they go on sale, homemade food (i.e. chili, salad and cornbread). Also, when serving soda buy the 2 liter bottles not the cans.

Pick up stuff on clearance- about 3 months ago I got a party in the box at Joann Fabrics for about $2.00 each- I got 1 for each of my girls. One was for tween girls (came with fuzzy posters and shopping motif) and the other is for a princess party (make your own crowns). Target also marks down a lot of their birthday arty items! Dollar store is alos great at cheap themed items. My youngest is having a princess and Tinkerbell party this year- after Easter I bought a lot of eggs for an egg hunt (had tinkerbell on it).

Make your own pinata instead of buying one. Make sandwiches with cookie cut outs, pizza on an english muffin is always great!

I look for little trinkets at Dollar Tree or Wal-Mart's 88 cent toy area to decote the homemade cake. It is usually alot cheaper than buying a cake or cake topper. Last year I bought a $6 Barbie in a bathing suit and made cake look like a pool. It was easy and she got to keep the Barbie as another gift! I also use comics as wrapping paper.

For summer birthdays, plan water fights, egg toss, etc.

dd had a build your own taco party once.

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