Which Is More Affordable: A Party Out or At Home?
You want your kid’s birthday party to be amazing, but you may not know where to host it to get the most value out of your money. Hosting a party at home might sound like the obvious option, but you’ll have several other costs associated with hosting the party yourself that you may not have at a designated kids’ party venue. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each option in your mind.
The Pros and Cons of Hosting a Party at Home
Hosting a birthday party at your house might seem like the best option for you if you’re trying to stick to a budget. However, you should know that even hosting a party from the comfort of your home can be expensive. Depending on everything you use to decorate with and the food you buy, it might be more costly than some venue options.
Parties at someone’s house are meant to be more laid-back than a party that requires you to go to a commercial venue. However, they still require preparation to run smoothly. If you want your kid’s bash to be unlike any other, consider hiring a party planner. The event planning industry is worth over $4 billion in the United States alone, proving that you can have an excellent party with a planner you hire to help shoulder some of the responsibilities.
Because you’ll be in your own home, you won’t have to pay to use the venue, which is a huge strain on your budget saved. Using your house for a party is a great option if you have ample space for kids to run inside and outside. You also control the space, meaning your child has somewhere comforting to retreat to if they feel overwhelmed by the party at any time. You can decorate it as you wish, which can work out well if you have a child who’s very serious about wanting their party decorations in their favorite color.
However, hosting a party at your house also has its drawbacks. Unless you hire a caterer, you’re responsible for all the food and drinks, which can come with a hefty price tag if you’re throwing a large party. You’ll also need to prepare your home in advance, cleaning it from top to bottom. You should opt for scented cleaning products to leave a nice aroma throughout your house when guests arrive.
Unfortunately, you may not have the outdoor space for kids to dance and play games, so it might be impossible to host at home. Perhaps the most disappointing thing about hosting a party yourself at home is that you have to play host, meaning you won’t be able to be fully present for every moment at your child’s birthday party. In that case, you might consider it worth splurging on a venue where everything is handled for you.
When to Get a Venue for Your Child’s Party
The most significant benefit of opting for a venue for your child’s party is that they’ll likely take care of everything for you. Unfortunately, you might be limited to a selected menu, but you won’t necessarily have to be responsible for the food. Children need about 0.5 pounds of food each, while adults need double that amount. These costs can skyrocket when you have a hefty guest list, so opting for a catered venue can take some of the pressure off your wallet.
Choosing a venue is also great for when you want a designated start and stop time for the party. That way, everyone leaves at once, and you don’t have to worry about a parent and child lingering a little too long after the party is over. You might also be able to bring your own entertainment to have fun within the party room, like a few games of bingo or a giant Jenga set that can delight anybody, adult or child.
The great part of going through a venue for your child’s party is that so many of the responsibilities are already taken care of for you, meaning you can focus entirely on making sure your child is having the best birthday ever. You also likely won’t be responsible for cleaning up, aside from anything you brought with you, like games or decorations.
When the party is over, you can head straight home and continue celebrating your kid’s special day as a household. Though a venue might be more expensive, you should also calculate how much you’ll spend on food and decorations to know whether it’s more worth it to have a grand celebration at home instead.
Venue or Home Birthday Party: Which Is Better?
Depending on your budget and everything you want for your child’s party, you may have to make some tough decisions. Think of all you want to prioritize at the party. Would you rather be fully present, or do you want to cut costs by not renting a venue? You may find that spending a bit extra is worth taking the stress off of you so you can enjoy the party to its fullest. Write down a personal list of pros and cons, and eventually, you may find the best option for this particular party.
