Our Personal Finances

Our three year old has been to many birthday parties recently – so many actually that he asks for a party every weekend. Lucky for him, this past weekend it was his turn to be the host of his own birthday party. Alas, there was pressure on us to throw a great party, as so many other parents of our kids’ friends had done. Lately, we’ve had invitations to a museum party, parties with 100 person guest lists, parties with hired entertainers, etc. But we did not want to spend a whole lot of money on a three-year-old’s birthday party, even if we could, which we can’t. (Truth be told, we didn’t even spend much on our own wedding! And back then we didn’t have five kids to think about.)

So, I had to think of something else to do for my kid’s third birthday. I searched the internet for a long time for ideas. (I’m a researcher by nature, and profession, after all!) And I came up with something I thought would not be totally lame – a pizza party. You need to know that hubby and I just love to cook, and we encourage our kids to cook with us (even though it might just mean measuring water or stirring flour that doesn’t really need to be stirred). I also wanted to make the party short and sweet, say from 11 to 1. (The kids all nap at preschool at 12:30 every day, so I didn’t want to have parents struggling with tired, crying toddlers.) The time frame made it easy to decide on a lunch party.

So, I ordered some kids’ chefs hats, disposable aprons, and toddler size rolling pins from www.GrowingCooks.com. I figured the kids could use them at the party, and take them home as their “goody bag” gifts. Plus, those kids that later decide they like to cook can use ‘em all again. I went to my local grocery store, and got an extra-large size bottle of Prego spaghetti sauce, and found out to my amazement that the dairy case had pizza dough in bags, along with a giant bag of Sorrento grated mozzarella. One stop to Trader Joe’s for juice boxes, and I was set. I couldn’t believe it was so easy. Then, we made our easiest dishes (oven roasted drumsticks, fried plantains, cooked vegetable salad, and seasoned yellow rice) to ensure that the parents have their own meal. Beer and wine and juice were added to the menu, and we laid it all out so everyone could serve themselves. Last, the cake. I didn’t want to go to a bakery – tastes great, costs a lot – or the supermarket – the cost is great, but the taste might not be. And, in keeping with the spirit of the party, I thought maybe I should make it myself. I remembered that about a month ago my son asked me for a carrot cake. So I searched www.epicurious.com, my fav recipe site, and found their Inside Out Carrot Cake Cookie recipe. It makes mini carrot cake cookie sandwiches with the cream cheese frosting on the inside. The guests – kids and adults – said they liked them a lot!

So, for about $130 we had a party for about 27 children and adults. And everyone said they really thought it was great. Maybe it was because once the parents washed their kids’ hands and dressed their kids in the chef’s garb, they found themselves helping with making pizzas, so everyone (and not just the littlest ones) got in on the fun. Maybe it was because the party was over just around naptime, so meltdowns were avoided. Maybe it was because they liked the food and drink and cookie-cakes. No matter. I’m just so glad everyone going out the door said they’d really had fun, and I’m especially glad that I didn’t have to break the bank to make it happen!