Throwing a children's birthday bash may seem like a daunting, money-draining prospect but with a little imagination and creativity it's easy to plan a party that'll be the talk of the playground!
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 Sandwiches, sausage rolls, cocktail sausages, crisps, quiche, pizza slices, chicken nuggets, jelly and ice cream, cola, lemonade, orange juice... the list goes on! Don't forget everybody's favourite: the classic cheese and pineapple hedgehog. |
 ...make some healthy options like fruit kebabs, carrot and cucumber sticks with low-fat yogurt or houmus, pasta salad and cherry tomatoes. |
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 Remember all the games you enjoyed playing at parties - pass the parcel, musical statues, dead fishes, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, what time is it Mr Wolf? The good news is they're all still in fashion! |
 ...make a compilation of your child's favourite music to get things going. |
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 If the budget will stretch, book some form of entertainment for when the food and games have fizzled out. A bouncy castle or magician are top-end suggestions but a paddling pool or a dance mat are equally entertaining and easier on the wallet. Some computer consoles even have karaoke games these days! |
...buy some inexpensive disco lights and have a mini disco! |
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 It's a fact: kids love prizes, however big or small! Cuddly toys, bouncy balls, yoyos and books are all easy to get hold of and don't cost the earth |
...put mini SMARTIES in between the pass-the-parcel layers! |
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 It's always nice to give the kids a reminder of the great time they've had, so devise party bags packed with goodies. Low-cost, fun-size things like a party blower, balloons and bubbles, as well as a slice of birthday cake are ideal. And, of course, don't forget the tube of SMARTIES! |
...go to a pound shop and buy inexpensive yet cool nick-nacks. |
