How to Celebrate a Birthday on a Budget

How to have a fun and affordable birthday party

Celebrating a birthday shouldn’t put a strain on your finances. It should be fun for everyone, and that includes you. Worrying about how to pay for the party is a sure-fire way to take the joy out of any celebration. I’ve put together my money-saving tips on how to celebrate a birthday on a budget with plenty of voucher codes to help you plan the best birthday ever!

Set a realistic budget

Setting a realistic budget is the first step to a fun birthday party. What is a comfortable spending limit for you based on your financial situation? Determining this early means you’re more likely to stick to that budget.

Your budget can align with the type of party you’re having. For example, a BBQ or house party will have a very different budget than a formal party with a hired venue. On average, it costs between £500 and £630 to hire a birthday party venue in the UK. If this isn’t in your budget, several pubs and bars across the UK offer free venue hire for events. Places like Hire Space can help you find the perfect venue for your birthday. Many do require a minimum spend, though, so don’t forget to factor this into your budget. Sometimes, though, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating at home. Below are loads of ways of celebrating in style at home!

Start planning early

Planning early is a great way to manage your budget as it gives you time to find deals, compare prices and avoid last-minute premium costs. Create a detailed list of essential party elements, like:

• Guest count
• Food and drinks
• Decorations
• Venue
• Activities

Decide what aspects matter most to the birthday person. Whether it's having certain friends there, serving favourite foods, or enjoying specific activities. Allocate more resources there while keeping other elements simpler.

Make the most of DIY decorations

Get crafty and make decorations rather than buying them. This is perfect to do with the kids, and roping in a couple of creative adults means it shouldn’t take too long.

Transform paper or fabric scraps into eye-catching banners and garlands. Create centrepieces using items already in your home, like old food jars (washed, of course) or books, or collect some pinecones or branches from local woodlands and parks (with permission, of course).

Homemade fabric flag banner, homemade bar, and homemade bbq/firepit.

Places like Smyths Toys also sell balloons in bulk for great prices. These can be used to create arches, balloon walls or even dramatic centrepieces if you have space.

Got old decorations from other birthday parties? Give them a new life with a fresh coat of paint, some glitter and some personalisation - Hobbycraft has everything you need to transform old decorations and make new ones without straining your budget.

Whip up delicious birthday treats on a budget

Baking your own birthday cake saves money while allowing for endless personalisation. Try simple sheet cakes with homemade frosting or cupcakes decorated with seasonal fruits instead of expensive toppers.

Homemade platters are also always a crowd favourite, from veggie platters and cheese boards to simple dips and crisps, people love diving into a platter.

For drinks, go for large-batch options like colourful punch bowls or infused water stations with in-season fruits. Consider a BYOB (bring your own bottle) approach for alcohol. It means that your guests can drink what they love while reducing your costs.

To reduce the costs further, take a look at Asda’s Just Essentials range. It is full of brilliant party food for a great price. If you have a Nectar card, Sainsbury's offers some excellent deals on party food essentials as well.

Free and low-cost birthday activities

You don't need expensive entertainment to have a blast on your birthday! Grab some friends and head to your local park, play some football, frisbee or even have a water balloon fight if the weather’s warm. The Toy Shop has self-sealing water balloons with a launcher that can throw them as far as 22 metres, that you can give to the birthday person to use as their secret weapon!

Want to stay home? Turn your living room into a karaoke bar! There are tons of free karaoke videos on YouTube - just grab whatever can pass for a microphone, and embrace those out-of-tune moments together. Or clear some space, whack on the dance tunes and get everyone dancing the night away. You could also continue the karaoke fun with a couple of rounds of “guess the next lyric" and finish the night off with a birthday-person themed quiz.

Nature lovers can make a day of exploring nearby trails or scenic bike routes. Pack some sandwiches and make it an adventure! Or check when your local museums offer free admission days - many do this monthly, and it's a cool change of pace.

Give low-cost, meaningful party favours

Instead of plastic-filled goody bags that get tossed once the cake is gone, try creating affordable party favours guests will actually appreciate. Here are some ideas:

• Create mini potted plants from inexpensive seedlings or succulent cuttings, which double as décor during the party. Homebase has some great deals on plants and seeds, perfect for this.
• For children's parties, visit The Works for £1-£2 books and lots of fun puzzles and crafting supplies that provide endless, educational fun.
• Fill small mason jars with homemade cookie mix or hot chocolate ingredients, attaching simple instructions for a practical gift. Check Poundland for affordable craft supplies to create personalised friendship bracelets or small art kits.
• If you’re having an outdoor party, get inexpensive frisbees or bubble wands that can be enjoyed during and after the party. Bargainmax.co.uk have some brilliant outdoor toys on offer using our discount code.

Whatever you choose, personalise it with handwritten thank-you notes for a thoughtful touch that makes affordable favours feel special. It's those little moments of sincerity that guests remember most.

Get free birthday treats and gifts

You'd be amazed at how many places want to give you free stuff on your birthday! Tons of UK restaurants and cafés offer birthday freebies - places like Greggs, TGI Fridays, Lidl, SubwaySubway, Krispy Kreme and Gail’s give freebies or discounts when you’re signed up to their apps or loyalty programmes.

It’s not just sweet, delicious treats you can enjoy on your birthday, though. Hobbycraft gives birthday discounts if you're planning some party crafts, and ASOS, H&M, Boohoo and Schuh will often send you a discount code a few weeks before your birthday so you can buy your perfect outfit, so make sure you’re signed up to their email newsletter!

The trick is signing up for these rewards ahead of time. For most places, you need to be on their loyalty program or app at least 2-4 weeks before your birthday. So, take 30 minutes to register for your favourites and watch the free gifts roll in.

Just remember to read the fine print! Some offers are only valid on your actual birthday, while others give you a whole month to claim them. And don't forget to bring ID. There’s nothing more disappointing than being turned away because you can't prove it's actually your special day.

4 thoughtful and affordable birthday gift ideas

Meaningful gifts don't require emptying your wallet, and there’s a lot you can give to someone without spending the earth. Here are some ideas:

Need some inspiration? I’ve got you covered. We have gift guides for her and him, and deals for the best greeting cards and flowers available in the UK too.

My colleague Persia-Lili Moharerr, shares her unique way of making gifts stand out.

"Adding dried flowers to a wrapped present is an affordable way of elevating the look of any present. I recently did it for a friend's birthday as pictured below, and hopefully you can agree it looks great!"

Embrace the power of invitations (digital and DIY)

Invitations to birthday parties really don’t need to be expensive. If you want to go down the physical invitation route, consider making them. It’s fun, simple and inexpensive. Want to send free invitations? Use social media to create an event and send invites to your friends and family, it’s completely free. You can also use platforms like Evite and Paperless Post to send free e-vites.

Final budget birthday checklist

• Plan ahead and set a budget: Start early to find deals and avoid last-minute costs. Create a detailed list of essentials and prioritise what matters most to the birthday person.
• Choose a budget-friendly theme: Choose a theme that naturally suggests affordable options while creating a cohesive feel.
• Get crafty with DIY decor: Transform fabric scraps into banners, create centrepieces from household items, buy balloons in bulk, and repurpose old decorations with fresh updates.
• Make homemade treats: Bake your own cake, prepare simple appetisers and platters, and consider ‘bring your own’ drinks to reduce costs.
• Opt for free or low-cost activities: Enjoy park games, home karaoke, nature hikes, free museum days, or simple dance parties that create memories without expensive entertainment.
• Inexpensive party favours: Shop around for crafty and fun bits that will be used long after the party is over. Claim birthday freebies: Register for loyalty programs at restaurants and shops to receive birthday treats, but check terms and bring ID when redeeming offers.
• Give thoughtful, affordable gifts: Create personalised photo gifts, offer practical help as presents, or organise group contributions for more substantial items.
• Send digital or DIY invitations: Use free social platforms or e-vite services instead of printed invitations, or make simple handmade versions.
• Celebrate at home: Skip expensive venue hire by hosting at home or in public spaces like parks.

Save and celebrate with Savoo

The average cost of a child's birthday in the UK is now £524. But it’s not just parties that are increasing in price. Our recent Parent Spending Survey really opened our eyes to how much the average parent is spending monthly.

All of this spending can feel very restricting. However, with the tips and discount codes above, you can create an amazing birthday party for your loved one and still have money left in your budget.

Want some more tips? Check out our low-income money-saving advice. Or, if you’re prepping for Christmas, we’ve got the lowdown on how to save on Christmas presents. And don’t forget to check out the rest of our voucher codes to save even more on everyday products, holidays and even car insurance!