Hellobee Boards

Maybe around $150-$200 for ~20 people. That's stuff like themed paper plates, cups, napkins and then food. Pretty much all the money is food.

We have thrown birthday parties at home for 40-50 people for $250 in food (full catered lunch from a local chinese restaurant!).

For a party held at a venue, I've found that the venue charges are between $300-500. Since the parties are shorter and more activity centered (and usually have a max guest count of 20-30), we end up spending less for food. For my daughter's 4th birthday, we probably spent around $75 on snacks and cake for 35 people.

For a get together of about 10 adults, we could spend around $250. We usually do these in the summer, and we get carne asada and such from a local carniceria. If we happen to have people over in the winter, then I usually make food and spend around the same amount. We supply a good amount of alcohol, but our friends always bring some with them and will usually offer to bring a side of something. If its a party with decorations and such, it gets so expensive.

I've been thinking about my baby's first birthday. I was first thinking about just the adults, but what about the older siblings (like age 5 and such!). Oh my gosh. Entertaining several generations sounds daunting!

@Boogs: Food is just about the number one priority all day every day at my house! But with kids, now we have to think about entertainment! I don't think kids find juice as entertaining as adults find wine and bourbon!

I think we usually pay around $500 once you factor in food, decorations, venue costs and favors for the kids. I think we typically have between 25 and 30 people including kids at the parties.

I probably spent about $200 on food for both of my lo's birthday parties for about 25 to 30 people but I did the vast majority of the cooking myself. Easily another $200-$250 on decorations, plates etc, activities and goody bags.