How much does a designer kids party REALLY cost?

Hey party peeps!

Last week on Hostess With The Mostess as part of my bi-monthly Look for Less column, I answered the taboo question:
HOW MUCH DOES A DESIGNER KIDS PARTY COST?
I broke down how much every single item cost in my recent “Kitty-licious” party I designed for my daughter Faith’s 10th birthday.  I knew this would be a touchy subject as talking about money usually is, but felt it was necessary to show people how much a designer kids party actually cost and how it is actually less expensive to just hire a professional party planner.  If you missed the original post, you can see it here.  Please be sure to leave a comment on that post letting me know what you think.

Pinterest Dreaming!
We all do it!  Sit on Pinterest for HOURS looking for fabulous ideas for our kid’s parties.  We look through magazines and admire the many styled parties and hope to duplicate them.  The problem is that almost NONE of them have price tags attached.  The average mom has NO IDEA how much these parties actually cost to produce and when they set out to duplicate them, they usually have sticker shock on when they are done with the party how much all those details add up and end up spending over $1,000!

Worst yet, as a professional party planner, I get potential clients who come to me and show me these gorgeous parties and want them for their child but have unrealistic budgets to do it.  Hopefully, this budget breakdown will at least give people a more realistic idea so that when they sit down with their party planners, they won’t fall out of their chair when they are given the budget to make their dream party a reality for their child.

Yes, you can have a fabulous looking party for your child without spending close to what I spent.
Yes, if you are a crafty mom you can cut costs by making some of the items that I purchased.
Yes, you can do without some of the more high-end items I used and…
Yes, you can shave some money off of this by using some items you already own.

HOWEVER, if you dream of this type of party for your child and don’t have the time or know-how to re-create it, professional party planners is the way to go.  They have industry connections to get high-end items for less, they have relationships with vendors to get you the best products for less and they have the know-how to get it done way faster than it would take for you to do it and they have an inventory of party supplies that you can rent instead of purchase for your events saving you 75% off retail in most cases!  I mean…who really has a set of 6 LED crystal trees just sitting around and who wants to store all the decor after the party in their garages that they may or may not use again?

Realistic Budget including even Dollar Store items!
The budget below is an actual one.  The costs of every single item I used is accurate and in fact, I even shared with you where you can purchase all of these items right now.  As a party planner myself, I had most of the decor items already in my inventory—saving me TONS OF MONEY and there is a mix of high-end designer items and items I got from the Dollar Tree!

Today I’m sharing it with all of you with some PRO Girlfriend Tips for new party planners along the way!  Please leave me a comment below and let me know what you think.   You can also click here to see lots more KITTY PARTY PHOTOS. 

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:

This party was a sleepover at my house for 8 tween girls. My living room was totally transformed into a fabulous party space!

PRINTABLES: $132

DIY “Kitty-licious” printables package:  $55 (Soiree-EventDesignShop.com)
Printing:  $25 (Staples)
fancy paper punch:  $17 (TomKat Studio Shop)
circle paper punch:  $17 (TomKat Studio Shop)
jumbo circle paper punch:  $18 (Michael’s)

DINING TABLE: $539

1 table 6′:  $68 (Costco)
2 custom pink leopard fur tablecloths:  $40 ($20 each: CNCfabrics.com)
8 pink folding chairs:  $80 ($9.99 each Target)
2 denim runners:  $42 ($21 each TableclothWorld.net)
2 led crystal trees: $180  ($90 each: Shop Wild Things)
1 plush Aurora stuffed animal $15 (StuffedSafari.com)
4 white plastic cat bowls:  $4 (Dollar Tree)
1 pack pink rhinestone stickers:  $3 (Walmart)
8 silver chargers with bling:  $29 ($3.60 each CV linens)
1 pack of premium plastic clear dinner plates: $10  (16 ct. Party City)
8  mini dessert glasses: $30 (Pier 1 imports)
8 bling sticks:  $8 (Made by a Princess)
300 pcs pink acrylic rocks: $15 (Efavor Mart)
3 packs of 12″ round pink leopard print cake boards:  $15 ($5/3: Michael’s)

BEAUTY BAR: $710

2 tables (4′):  $60  ($30 each Walmart)
2 custom pink cheetah tablecloths:  $40
1 denim runner:  $21
2 led crystal trees:  $180  ($90 each Shop Wild Things)
1 directors chair:  $50  (Pier 1)
1 fuzzy pillow $10 (Michael’s)
1 full-length mirror $80 (HomeGoods)
1 5×7 pink shag rug $30  (Walmart)
1 mirror on the front of display cosmetic case: $15 (Michael’s)
8 black cosmetic cases:  $160 ($20 retail…..actual:  $2.50 each from local surplus store)
1 stemmed pillar candle holder: $8 (HomeGoods)
8 packs glow in dark necklaces:  $7 ($1/pack Michaels)
8 pink striped paper cups:  $6 (20/pack Creative Kids)
1 bag of starburst:  $3 (Target)
8 pink cosmetic bags: $8 ($1 each Michael’s)
8 bling compact mirrors:  $8 ($1 each Dollar Tree)
8 black headbands with cheetah bows:  $24 ($3 each Halo Heaven)

BREAKFAST BAR: $126

1 pink plush cat bed:  $30
2 plush Aurora stuffed animals $30
1 silver 8×10 frame:  $10  (Walmart)
2 white ceramic trays:  $10 (TJ Maxx)
3 glass carafes:  $3 (Dollar Tree)
3 fancy stemmed glasses: $12 ($4 each TJ Maxx)
2 boxes frozen pancakes $4 (Target)
4 packs frozen smoothie mix:  $7 (Target)
2 packs mini muffins:  $4 (Target)
1 pack plastic cups:  $2 (Target)
1 pack pink striped paper straws:  $5  (TomKat Studio Shop)
1 pack plastic reflections silver cutlery:  $2 (Target)
1 pack white paper plates:  $1 (Dollar Tree)
3 containers of Jelly:  $6  (Target)

Click here for my JELLY SYRUP RECIPE!

MINI CANDY BAR: $293

1 round resin table:  $20 (Walmart)
1 custom pink cheetah tablecloth:  $20
1 crystal tree $90 (Shop Wild Things)
1 plastic riser $21 (eFavor Mart)  $6 + $7 + $8
1 black cosmetic case:  $20
8 cotton candy bags with labels:  $32 (Soiree-EventDesignShop.com)
6 custom cookies:  $24 ($4 each: Sugar Cravings)
1 pack cello bags:  $3 (Michaels)
2 white serving trays:  $16 (TJ Maxx)
1 round glass bowl:  $1 (Dollar Tree)
1 sparkly pink frame:  $6 (online)
8 shimmer Gumballs in 8 Clear Candy Tubes:  $24  ($3 each: TomKat Studio Shop)
8 pink lollipops:  $2 (Dollar Tree)
8 pop rocks:  $2 (Dollar Tree)
1 pack of Jolly Rancher lollipops $2 (Target)
8 pink striped paper cups:   cost already accounted for above
1 pack Jolly Ranchers:  $3 (Target)
2 glass square vases $6 (Ikea)
2 styrofoam disks $1 (Dollar Tree)

DRESS UP BAR: $246

1 wire 3-tiered stand:  $40
2 wireframe dress forms:  $50 ($25 each)
1 table (4′):  $30  (Walmart)
2 fancy stemmed glasses:  $8 ($4 each)
1 silver 8×10 frame:  $10 (Walmart)
1 plush Aurora stuffed animal $15
1 pack Color Freedom fabric markers:  $10 ($10 for a pack of 10 Creative Kids)
8 white tank tops:  $40 ($5 each Target)
8 cheetah tutus:  $32 ($3 each Halo Heaven)
Kitty Collar Activity: Click here to see HOW TO MAKE DIY KITTY COLLAR NECKLACES
1 spool ribbon: $3 (Michaels)
4 packs of bling buckle sliders: $6 (Hobby Lobby)
16 velcro tabs: $2 (Dollar Tree)

FAVOR BAR: $151

2 silver tables:  $50 ($25 each Target)
1 sunburst mirror:  $25 (Michaels)
1 free-standing shepherd hook:  $10 (Michaels)
1 glass horizontal vase:  $10 (Michaels)
1 5×7 sign holder:  $8 (Staples)
8 denim bags:  $16  (Oriental Trading)
8 notebooks:  $8 (Dollar Tree)
Custom monogrammed buttons:  Click here to see HOW TO MAKE CUSTOM BUTTONS
8 plastic buttons:  $3  (Michaels)
printable favor monogram labels:  $20
1 sheet scrapbook paper: $1

CAKE: $66

1 Strawberry Passion ice cream cake $28  (ColdStone Creamery)
3 bling sticks:  $3 (Made by a Princess)
1 lb bag of large pink shimmer gumballs $7 (TomKat Studio)
2 pawprint custom cookies: $8 ($4 each: Sugar Cravings)
white cake stand:  $20 (Target)

COOKIES & MILK BAR: $143

8 white plastic cat bowls:  $8 (Dollar Tree)
2 pack pink rhinestone stickers:  $6 (Walmart)
24 custom cookies:  $96 ($4 each:  Sugar Cravings)
1-gallon strawberry milk:  $3 (Target)
12 glass mini dessert glasses:  $30 (Pier 1 Imports)
pink striped paper straws (cost already accounted for above)

NAIL BAR: $197

1 storage trunk:  $44 (Walmart)
1 custom pink cheetah tablecloth:  $20
4 pink floor pillows:  $84  ($21 each Walmart)
1 white serving tray:  $10 (TJ Maxx)
1 5×7 sign holder:  $8 (Staples)
1 round black bowl:  $3 (Target)
6 bottles of nail polish:  $12 ($2 each Walmart)
2 packs nail stickers:  $6 ($3 each Walmart)
assorted manicure supplies:  $10

ACTIVITY: $65

Glitter Tattoo painter:  $65
1 hour

DESIGNER PARTY ACTUAL COST: $3028

Cost to purchase all the decor items:  $2000 ** not including shipping or tax
Cost to purchase all the consumable items: $700

24 hours of your time @ $15 min wage:  $360

GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: HIRE A PRO PARTY PLANNER & SAVE!
This comparison is only based on the party planner already owning all of the decor items.  If the party planner does not own the items already, their fees may increase to cover the purchase of additional items. The party planner fee is only an estimated average and may be higher or lower in your area.

COST OF THE SAME PARTY BY HIRING A PARTY PLANNER: $2300

Cost to RENT all the decor items:  $1000 50% of retail
Cost to purchase all the consumable items: $700
Party planner’s average fee to cover time:  $600 8 hours @ $75/hour

TOTAL SAVINGS:  $728

I hope sharing the real cost of a designer party was helpful in seeing just how pricey some of these featured parties you see all over the web actually are and to give a realistic picture of the value of hiring a professional party planner when you want to achieve some of these high-end looking events for less. There are many other ways to get a Look for Less alternative like making some of the items yourself or using some of your own personal decor. But for those busy moms out there who don’t have time to craft or the space to store all the decor after the party, hiring a professional party planner to do it all for you and take it all back with them allows you to actually enjoy your party, let the planner do all the work and save you money! WIN-WIN-WIN!

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PRO GIRLFRIEND TIPS:

• DON’T waste time trying to save money in your budget to craft or bake designer items yourself if that is not your thing!  I do not bake and always hire out for that. Develop relationships with your favorite vendors and arrange a wholesale price on these items.

• DO charge accordingly for custom items.  Clients will pay for custom designer items if they really want them!

• Consumable items are items that walk out the door with the guests or are disposable and thrown away after the party is over.  As a pro party planner, I make sure most of my decor is NOT disposable so I can reuse them for multiple parties.

• BE SMART about what decor items you purchase to include in your inventory.  Make sure they are generic enough to reuse again and again for multiple party themes.  As an example, the LED trees were a GREAT BUY!  I can use them in many, many party themes over and over again.  The leopard print tablecloths were not a generic decor item but were custom to this party theme but were so important to me in pulling off the overall look of the theme.  The finished look of this theme was so popular with the tween girls, that I now have added this theme to my signature parties so now the custom leopard tablecloths have now become a smart expense 😉

Want to be a party planner?

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The Partypreneurs School of Party Planning® is just what you need to learn directly from me how to turn your love and hobby of planning parties into a money-making party planning business!  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

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Cheers!
Tonya