Frugal BirthdaysN’s first b-day is just around the corner! I can’t believe it’s been a year. (But when I look at how insanely cute she is and how insanely tired I am, I can!) We had a difficult birth, and for that and other reasons, held off on a formal celebration upon her arrival. So we’re planning a first-birthday blowout to make up for it.

Here’s what we’ve done so far to cut costs without skimping on joy:

Invitations: We’re doing these by hand, using color photocopies of N’s original art on card stock. We decided to invite everyone in our lives, including folks who may not come but want to feel included.

Cost: Invitations-$0; Stamps-$10

Party Site: Chez N. Our home is free, reasonably large, and in good shape. We’ll clear out the furniture in the living room, borrow some chairs from friends, and decorate with blown-up baby pics, as well as balloons and whatever other cheap or handmade stuff we can come up with.

Cost: $20

Food: We’re doing a Sunday afternoon event, so we’ll serve cheese and crackers, crudités, Champagne, and lots and lots of birthday cake instead of a full meal.

I’ll buy the goods from the Co-op, which keeps the cost down, and serve everything on recyclable paper. I may even make the cake from scratch, if I get ambitious. My partner is not only an ace attorney, but a brilliant cake decorator, so I’ll leave that to her. And I make this goat cheese appetizer that is to die for.

I like serving crudités because that way I can accommodate special diets (vegan, kosher, etc) without buying special foods. I like serving Champagne; it’s classy, most everyone likes it, and if you buy a case, you can get good quality at a reasonable price. There will be seltzer and fresh-squeezed juice for the teetotalers and kiddies (no soda!)

Cost: $100 Champagne + $150 Food = $250

Photography: We have a terrific digital camera and videocam. I have an aunt who is an amateur photographer, and a brother-in-law who likes to play Spielberg, so I’ll put those two in charge of the documentation. My mom will print the results as a gift for us.

Cost: $0

Entertainment: N is the main attraction. But I’m lucky enough to have two uncles who are musicians, who always come through with great, singable tunes. And my partner is handy with the guitar (woman of many talents, isn’t she?). Some of my guests will have kids of varying ages with them. I’ll have crayons, paper, and some kids’ toys available so that they don’t go nuts, and, if it’s a nice day, they can play in our yard.

Cost: $0 (I have tons of toys and art supplies already)

Presents: My friends know about my anti-materialistic values, and generally share them, too, so they’ll get eco-conscious gifts. They know I love hand-me-downs best of all.

Family members will probably consult my mother, who knows N’s size and our values all too well! I also told her that if anyone asks, N has her own bank account, so checks can be made out to her. I hope that’s not too tacky, but we’d rather put money in her college fund than get another too-small overpriced baby product. And hey, they asked!

Cost: $0

Lodgings: We have room for a few out-of-town friends. I let others know that if they RSVP soon enough, I can get a discount at a local hotel. Even if you have a small group, most hotels will give you a group discount if you pre-pay.

Cost to us: $0

Clean-up/Set-up: We always DIY. My partner and I usually tag-team it, so no one gets stuck in the kitchen or serving. And my mom will help out, too.

Cost: $0

So there you have it: N-Fest 2008. I’m budgeting about $300 for everything ($20 over what I’ve laid out here). I’ll let you know if we stay within our budget!! Do you have any other cheapskate tips for keeping the expenses down on kids’ parties?