Many children request theme parties for their birthdays. One of the most popular themes is a pirate theme; however, the cost for a pirate party can be astronomical due to costumes, invitations and decorations. With a few simple cost-cutting techniques, you can throw a fun, affordable pirate themed birthday party.
Invitations
The easiest way to save money is by making your own invitations. You and your child can make authentic-looking treasure maps and invitations by aging the paper. The trick is to use a teabag to stain the paper.
1. Take a wet teabag and rub it on your paper. Make sure to get the paper completely wet.
2. Next, use a fork to pull at the edges of your wet paper. This will give the edges a jagged look.
3. Allow the paper to dry.
4. Ball the paper up and then smooth it out.
5. Burn the edges.
Once you make your invitations, roll them up into scrolls and secure them with stickers or string.
Treasure Map
Plan a treasure hunt as an activity for your party. Once you figure out where you will bury the treasure, create a map. Use the same techniques that you used to age the invitations on your treasure map. Add authentic pirate symbols, such as a compass, anchor, ship, skull and crossbones. If you cannot draw, there are pirate stickers available that you can add to your map.
Treasure Chest
Most craft stores sell wooden chests that you can decorate yourself, or you can go to a party supply store to buy a treasure chest. Fill your treasure chest with candy, party favors and treats.
Cake
Save money by making your own cake using a Pirate Ship cake pan. This will allow you to make as many cakes as you need and reuse the pan for other parties. Here are two examples of cake pans: a small pan available at Party City and a larger pan available at Amazon.com. If you prefer to make cupcakes, insert pirate themed cupcake toppers into your cupcakes.
Decorations
The best part of planning a pirate themed birthday party is that you can reuse many of the decorations you already have at home, for example streamers, signs and nautical decorations. Mix those items with pirate themed accessories, such as rope, fish netting, sand and seashells.
Table Centerpiece
To create a simple, inexpensive table centerpiece, place fish netting on your table and decorate it with seashells and sand.
Party Favors
In addition to the usual plastic gold coins, eye patches, and paper telescopes available at most party supply stores, you can give your guests pencils, erasers, stickers and coloring sheets as party favors. There are many free coloring sheets available online that you can print. Click here for free coloring pages from Disney’s Family Fun website.
One last tip, a great way to save on a costume is to shop at a discount store instead of a party supply store. Most discount stores take more than 30% off the price of their costumes after Halloween, so if you plan carefully, you can get a great bargain. The key to throwing an affordable theme party is to have a plan and mix inexpensive ideas with party store supplies.