The Circus Was in Town

The Birthday Party has come and gone. Brinley celebrated her 3rd year in an “amazing” way… CIRCUS style. Okay so I am going to give a step by step of what I did and where I found the ideas because it took me so long searching the internet to find all the fun material I thought it may be helpful to condense it all into one. Plus, I really tryed to stay on budget so maybe some of these ideas can help anyone else trying to do a party on a budget.

So here is where it all started…
The day after Brinley’s 2nd Birthday I was at the dollar store and they were featuring was Circus stuff, I turned to my sister and cousin and told them “Next year I am going to throw a Circus Party.” When I got home I told Justin the same thing and his response was probably typical for a husband who had just gotten done cleaning up from and funding a large 2nd birthday party. He sort-a blew it off, but as for me the planning started then, the day after her 2nd birthday Party!
Because I knew so far in advance I was able to buy so many things on sale and stick them into a bin in the garage that I labeled “BIRTHDAY BOX.” I got the red plates and napkins the day after Valentines Day for 75% off as well as many of the prizes I got after Christmas, and Valentines Day (remembering not to buy the candy or food too early).

INVITATIONS
I looked all over the internet and I found tons of cute ideas but I was going the cheap rout, as time got closer I rummaged though the “birthday box” and saw that I had already bought popcorn bags at the dollar spot a few months back, using them and a design I made for Admittance tickets I created a cute and yummy invitation.
Cost: $4 for the bags, paper, and popcorn

TICKET BOOTH
I found the idea from www.disneygo.com I decided to try it. It was as easy as they said; it took about 1.5 hours and we used old circus posters, extra tickets, fabric and paint we already had. Andiee Jane handed out the kid’s bags with circus bucks and some starter tickets; they also doubled as goodie bags at the end.
So the cost was FREE. Plus all the kids loved playing in it Brinley thinks it’s a little house for her.

BALLONS
Balloons everywhere. From everything I read balloon set the stage for a circus party so I borrowed a helium tank and bought my own balloons.
Total cost for about 75 balloons: $15

GAMES

Now here I did spend just a little more money. Although the biggest hit was “The Balloon Pop” and it cost mere pennies. All I did was put different amounts of tickets in the balloon and the kids could pop them and keep the tickets inside. “Lightning ball” cost the most $21 at http://www.orientaltraning.com/, but it was a super cute game. All the rest were $1-$8 range

FOOD
We just chose things that we would see at a fair or carnival, Hot dogs, popcorn, pickles, snow cones, chips, all very reasonable. The snow cone machine was my moms, and aunts that gets used often and again it was a hit seeing that it turned out to be pretty hot day.

FACE PAINTING
This was very popular, for the girls and boys. Thanks to a friend (Julie) who is very talented. Snakes, flowers, and stars all over the place. Cost: $12 for the paint

CLOWN
Okay so I took a shot in the dark “Would the 3 year olds be terrified of the clown?” At first about half of them were just fine and the others ranged from scared to terrified? (Sorry Grace) Even Brinley was not a huge fan of her cousin Walkers new do. But most of them warmed up and even loved to attach him with balloons. Thank you Walker you are the best!!! Him and Drake even learned to do balloon animals just for the occasion. And sorry to any of those kids that may now have clown issues:)
Cost: $35 for the costume

There were other items such as the adorable banner, and birthday crown my mom made and the amazing cake I wish that I could claim as my own but my talented Aunt Kristin made. It is nice to know people. Brinley loved having all her friends over and after they left she turned to Justin and I and said “I don’t want my party to be over EVER” Justin and I didn’t feel exactly the same but it was fun for everyone.

A year of anticipation (mostly on my part) and now its all over. What’s next years theme, oh wait I have 2 kids now I get to throw another party in August… dinosaurs, bugs, trains so fun to have a boy too. Maybe I shouldn’t tell Justin that I am started to plan again.