#budgetfriendlyparties

Hey HypedNHandmade fam!

Usually, when I’m planning a party, I’m in full "home transformation" mode which means taping mazes to kitchen islands or turning the living room into Hogwarts. But for our daughter’s Pokémon-themed party, we decided to try something different; we headed to a popular trampoline park.

If you’ve ever hosted at a play place, you know the struggle: you get a tiny room, exactly 45 minutes for cake, and very strict rules about what you can tape to the walls. But for me, a limited canvas doesn't mean limited creativity. I had to think beyond the walls and focus on the giveaways. Instead of transforming the space, I have to focus on creating high-impact, budget-conscious details that traveled with us.

The Uniform

Before we even stepped foot in the venue, our family looked the part. I wanted us to look like a coordinated team of pokemon trainers, so I broke out the iron on vinyl and my heat press to create fantastic shirts for the birthday girl and her sister.

If you’ve ever worked with layered HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl), you know it takes a little extra time to align everything, but the result looks so much more professional and fun than a single-color print. Making shirts for our celebrations brings me so much joy and truly pulls everything together. 

The Home Base

Since we couldn't go wild with decor at the venue, I made a few items to transform our home into the Pokémon World. To make it happen, I made a large, classic red, yellow, and black balloon arch and wrapped her gifts in classic red and white paper as a nod to the pokeball.

For her photo wall, I bought an inexpensive Pokémon wall banner and spruced it up with a few larger-than-mat Cricut projects of some of our daughter’s favorite Pokémon. Her wall included a giant Pikachu, a sleek Absol, and oversized Pokéballs. To create these larger-than-mat figures, I sliced the designs in Design Space and hand-assembled the cardstock pieces. 

The $5 Masterpiece

While I loved the decor around our home, my absolute favorite part of this celebration were the party favors. I wanted every "Junior Trainer" to leave with a gift that felt like a real treasure, but I was determined to keep costs low. Believe it or not, I made these custom favors for less than $5 per child! How, you ask? I found jumbo red and translucent white spheres at the dollar store. I used black permanent vinyl and cardstock to create the “lock” button for the pokeballs and to give it that authentic look. To make them look like premium collectibles, I placed each Pokéball inside a clear plastic square box. The boxes not only protected the work, but the custom decals I made for them transformed an ordinary plastic gift box into the perfect container for this occasion.

Once I created the perfect vessels for the favors, I turned my attention to the contents. Each Pokéball contained Pokémon-themed gummies and cookies, stickers, a mini note pad, and crayons. My daughter and her guests were blown away by the favors and couldn’t wait to open them. 

Lessons Learned

Hosting at a trampoline park taught me that you don't need a massive venue budget to create a core memory-level experience. By focusing on custom apparel, a few key pieces at home, and high-impact favors, the magic stayed with us even in a plain rental room.

Creating the perfect party favor bags doesn’t need to be expensive. In fact, with a little creativity and planning, you can make personalized, fun, and memorable goodie bags that your guests will love, all while staying within your budget. Whether you're throwing a birthday party, a themed celebration, or simply want to send guests home with a small token, these DIY ideas will help you create the best party favor bags without overspending.

Let’s dive into how you can make the best DIY goodie bags for your child’s party, whether you're throwing a superhero bash, a princess tea party, or a jungle safari-themed adventure.

1. Plan Your Budget and Guest List 🎯

Before diving into purchasing items for your goodie bags, it's important to plan your budget first. This will help you avoid overspending and ensure you’re able to create goodie bags for all your guests. Start by determining how many children will be attending the party. Once you have your guest list, set a budget for each favor bag.

For example, you can plan to spend $2-$3 per goodie bag, but depending on your budget, you might go higher or lower. The goal is to provide fun and memorable items without overdoing it financially.

2. Choose a Theme 🎉

Choosing a theme is one of the easiest ways to narrow down your options for goodie bag items. Whether your child is obsessed with superheroes, loves princesses, or is going through a dinosaur phase, aligning your goodie bags with the party theme helps create a cohesive and fun atmosphere.

Here are a few theme ideas and the corresponding items you can include in your goodie bags:

Superhero Theme: Items like superhero figurines, masks, temporary tattoos, and stickers. For a fun twist, you can even add mini capes or action figures.

Princess Theme: Mini tiaras, jewelry, princess-themed coloring books, or small dolls will fit perfectly.

Space Theme: Glow-in-the-dark stars, mini telescopes, or space-themed stickers will have your guests feeling like astronauts.

Jungle Safari Theme: Animal figurines, jungle-themed puzzles, animal stickers, and small binoculars will give your guests the feel of a real jungle adventure.

3. Select Affordable Favor Items 💰

The key to making your DIY goodie bags stand out is choosing affordable items that are fun, useful, and match the theme. Thankfully, there are plenty of budget-friendly options that will have kids excited when they open their bags.

Stickers and Temporary Tattoos ✨: Kids love stickers, and you can buy large packs of themed stickers in bulk. Temporary tattoos are also a hit—think princess crowns, superhero logos, or cute animals.

Mini Coloring Books and Crayons 🖍️: Encourage creativity with mini coloring books that fit the theme. Pair these with a small box of crayons or markers, which can be found in dollar stores or bought in bulk.

Bubbles 💫: Bubbles are a classic and affordable choice that never goes out of style. Whether it’s a bubble wand, a mini bubble bottle, or a bubble gun, it’s a fun and interactive way to keep kids entertained after the party.

Toys and Puzzles 🎲: Mini puzzles, bouncy balls, or yo-yos can be found in bulk for a very affordable price. If you’re doing a superhero theme, mini action figures are perfect, while for an animal party, small plush toys or figurines work wonderfully.

💡 Pro Tip: Instead of filling the goodie bags with too many items, focus on just a few, high-quality pieces. This keeps the bags affordable but still fun and impactful.

4. DIY Bag Ideas 🛍️

The fun doesn’t end with choosing the right items! How you package and present the goodie bags plays a significant role in their charm. Here are some budget-friendly packaging ideas to make your goodie bags stand out:

Simple Paper Bags 📜: Brown paper bags are cost-effective and can easily be decorated to match your theme. Use colored markers, stamps, stickers, or ribbons to give them a personal touch.

Clear Cellophane Bags ✨: Cellophane bags are great because you can see all the goodies inside. Plus, they make the contents look extra special when tied with colorful ribbon or twine.

Mini Boxes 📦: If you want to take it up a notch, small cardboard boxes make great packaging for goodie bags. Decorate them with washi tape, stickers, or themed images to make them look extra cute.

Fabric Bags 🧵: If you’re going for a more eco-friendly option, cloth bags are an excellent alternative. You can even personalize these with each guest’s name, which adds a unique touch to the favors.

5. Personalize the Favors ✨

One way to elevate your DIY goodie bags and make them feel even more special is by personalizing the contents or the bag itself. Personalization shows that you’ve put extra thought into the favor bags, and kids love receiving something with their name on it.

Here are some ideas for personalizing your goodie bags:

Name Tags ✍️: Print out tags with each child’s name, or use a fun font and let kids decorate their own name tag at the party. Tie it to the favor bag for an extra touch.

Thank You Notes 💌: Include a personalized thank you note inside the goodie bag for an added personal touch. These can be simple notes thanking the kids for attending and adding a little thank you gift, like a mini sticker sheet.

6. Where to Find Affordable Favors 💡

If you don’t have time to visit multiple stores, there are great online options for buying bulk party favors that are both affordable and fun! Partytoyz offers a wide variety of affordable favor packs that are perfect for any children's party. Whether you're looking for themed favor bags or bulk toys, they have options that will fit every theme and budget.

By purchasing favor packs from Partytoyz, you can easily assemble your goodie bags without stressing over finding individual pieces. The packs come with a great variety of toys and goodies that your guests will love, and it’s an easy way to make sure every guest goes home with something memorable.

7. Budgeting Tips for DIY Party Favors 💸

Here are some additional tips to help you stay on budget while creating amazing DIY goodie bags:

Buy in Bulk 💼: Purchasing items in bulk often leads to significant savings. Look for bulk packs of toys, stickers, or stationery items.

DIY Favors 🛠️: If you have the time and creative energy, making your own favors (such as homemade cookies, crafts, or small handmade toys) can save you money and add a personal touch.

Shop Off-Season 🛍️: Many party favor items can be found on sale after holidays or party seasons. Take advantage of discounts at craft stores, dollar stores, or online marketplaces to find deals.

8. Final Touches 🎁

Once your goodie bags are packed, consider adding a little extra something to make them pop:

Decorate with Themed Labels 🏷️: You can use printable labels with fun messages like “Thank You for Coming!” or “You're the Best!” These little touches will make your favors feel more polished.

Add a Sweet Treat 🍬: A small treat like individually wrapped candies or chocolate coins makes for a delicious, cost-effective addition to any goodie bag.

Conclusion 🎉

DIY goodie bags are a great way to provide party guests with memorable, personalized gifts without breaking the bank. By focusing on affordable items, choosing a theme, and adding personal touches, you can create fun, exciting, and meaningful goodie bags that your guests will love.

Don’t forget to check out Partytoyz for a wide variety of bulk favor packs and affordable toy bundles that will help you craft the perfect party favors.

Planning a memorable party doesn't have to break the bank. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or just hosting a get-together with friends, finding a cheap venue nearby is key to throwing a fantastic event without overspending. In this blog, we'll explore some savvy tips and tricks for locating affordable party venues in your area.

Exploring Local Options:

When it comes to finding cheap party venues, start by exploring what's available in your local area. Scout out community centers, parks, and recreation halls that often offer affordable rental rates for events. These venues typically provide ample space and basic amenities at a fraction of the cost of traditional event spaces.

Consider Non-Traditional Spaces:

Think outside the box when searching for a venue. Restaurants with private dining rooms, art galleries, and even local breweries or wineries may offer rental options for hosting events. These non-traditional spaces can add a unique flair to your party while still being budget-friendly.

Utilize Online Resources:

Take advantage of online resources to streamline your venue search. Websites and apps dedicated to event planning often have filters that allow you to search for venues based on location, budget, and capacity. Additionally, social media platforms and community forums can be valuable sources for discovering hidden gem venues recommended by locals.

Negotiate Rental Rates:

Don't be afraid to negotiate rental rates with venue owners or managers. Many venues are willing to offer discounts or special packages, especially for events held during off-peak hours or on weekdays. Be upfront about your budget constraints and see if there's room for flexibility in pricing.

Collaborate with Local Businesses:

Forge partnerships with local businesses to secure discounted rates or sponsorship for your event. Consider reaching out to catering companies, bakeries, or party supply stores to see if they offer special deals for event collaborations. By pooling resources, you can stretch your party budget further and create a memorable experience for your guests.

DIY Decor and Entertainment:

Get creative with decor and entertainment to save money on your party budget. DIY decorations, such as handmade banners, centerpieces, and photo booths, can add a personal touch without breaking the bank. For entertainment, consider hosting a potluck-style party where guests bring their own dishes or organizing low-cost activities like a karaoke contest or outdoor games.