Tori Tait (Thoughtfully Simple)  is returning to share her how-to’s when it comes to cutting costs involved in celebrating a great birthday so close to a major holiday. This is no small feat, but Tori is giving us some great tips that will help you save on celebratory expenses. Tori has published some fabulous DIY party-planning tips at Thoughtfully Simple and is my go-to person when it comes to choosing party themes!

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I truly believe that birthdays are a very special occasion, one that should be celebrated in a big way. However, with a birthday that falls near a holiday, this can become expensive to do. The challenge for many parents becomes affording to give your little one a fabulous birthday along with providing a memorable holiday (in my case Christmas). Here are a few tricks I have learned over the years to help accomplish cutting the celebratory costs:

1. Plan ahead, way ahead. I keep a lookout year round for both birthday and Christmas gifts. This eases the financial stress of buying “double” when the end of the year rolls around. I also plan how we will be celebrating birthdays that year. Will there be a big party? A trip? A small dinner? Planning ahead will allow you to budget for the big day and also start picking up any items you may need well ahead of time.
2. Make a tradition out of birthday decorations. Rather than purchasing new decorations every year, make or invest in thoughtful personalized birthday decorations that can be brought out year after year. How about a birthday banner with your child’s name? Or fabric bunting that reads “Happy Birthday?” Not only will you save money on decorating, you will also be creating wonderful birthday traditions that will last years to come.
3. Look for birthday savings. If you want to go on a birthday trip or take the family out to eat, be sure to look for ways to save. There are places to go (like FreeBirthdayTreats.com) that will give you access to several venues, shops, and restaurants that offer discounted or even free birthday deals.
4. Have realistic expectations. You might want to throw your child an over the top birthday party and pull off a magical Christmas, but financially that can be a strain for so many. Remember to keep your expectations realistic. You do not have to spend a fortune in order to make your child’s birthday memorable and fun. Simply doing things he/she like to do and being together on their special day will be cherished.

As long as you make it about the birthday child, and not the surrounding holiday, you will have given them the best gift.

Check back after December 5th because Tori will be sharing the conclusion of this wonderful series by letting us know the outcome of her girls’ birthday party!

To find local businesses offering birthday discounts & freebies for adults, kids and pets, visit: Free Birthday Treats.

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Just a quick reminder that PetSmart’s Birthday Central sale ends Monday, April 27th.  Sign up for their PetPerks program and not only will your little pooch or feline friend get a birthday greeting and coupon for a gift, you can also take advantage of the Pet Birthday Sale and save up to 20% off on hundreds of items for pets of every age!

To find local businesses offering birthday discounts & freebies for adults, kids and pets, visit my website, Free Birthday Treats.

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Introducting my first guest post written by Jennifer Tankersley the creator of ListPlanIt.com.

I almost always have three or four ongoing lists attached to my clipboard, but when I have a birthday coming up in my family, the number of lists tends to more than double.Here is a list of the lists that I use to help me plan a birthday.

1. A birthday to do list is a realistic recording of all of the details that go into planning a birthday for a loved one. Important things to include might be shopping for gifts and supplies, deciding whether to make or buy a cake, deciding how many people to invite, cleaning for the big day, making reservations, or even ordering something by a certain date to receive it in the mail on time.

2. A gift list is a necessity because often one or two gifts have been purchased ahead of time and placed in a secret hiding place. So an ongoing list is essential. There must be room on this page, however, to record the ideas you have for gifts along the way.

3. If you are planning a party for this birthday, then there are a few lists that are crucial to being ready. A guest list with addresses makes sending invitations and thank you notes a breeze. A timeline of the day of the party will help you stay on track. A planning list with possible games/entertainment options to help keep guests busy. A list of the dishes that will be served at the party with space for a grocery list of the ingredients of the food and drinks you’ll need.

4. A calendar of the weeks leading up to the big day will help you set deadlines and goals so that you can accomplish everything involved in planning a lovely birthday for that special person in your life.

Jennifer Tankersley is the creator ListPlanIt.com where you can find over 300 lists and planning pages including everything you need to plan your next birthday or party and much more and of List Mama Blog: Lists of Lists for List-Lovin’ Mamas.

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My inbox is filling up with birthday emails from businesses enticing me to grace their doors. Here are some more that came flooding in this last week:

• Free Steak Dinner – Black Angus
• Free Chocolate Fondue for Two – The Melting Pot (ok, I had this before and it’s amazing!)
• Free Entree - Gordon Biersch
• Free Meal – Sweet Tomatoes
• Free Buffet Meal – Old Country Buffet
• $5 Off 2 Adult Dinners – Red Lobster
• Free Regular Roast Beef – Arby’s
• Free Dessert – El Paso Bar-B-Que
• Free Dessert – On The Border
• Free 20 oz. Smoothie – Smoothie King
• Free Pizookie’ – BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse
• Free Dessert – Boston’s Restaurant
• Free Game for BDay Person – AMF Bowling

Not bad right? I’m actually missing a few that I got last year, but hey I’m not complaining. I’m still waiting for a free movie ticket though! The new one on the list that was a pleasant surprise – Gordon Biersch. One just opened in my neighborhood and I’ve been wanting to check it out.

If you have a birthday coming up or know someone that does get signed up for those birthday freebies and discounts!

To find local birthday discounts & freebies for adults, kids and pets from businesses in your area, visit my website, Free Birthday Treats.

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