Planning a first birthday party on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing magic or memories.
Let me tell you something I didn’t expect: planning my son’s first birthday would become one of my absolute favorite memories. Was it a little extra? Maybe. Did I stay up way too late Googling balloon decor hacks and cake frosting tips? Definitely. But would I do it all again? In a heartbeat.
And guess what? I pulled off our One-a-saurus dino-themed party for under $500. Yup. A party that looked straight out of Pinterest, minus the price tag.
Let me take you behind the scenes of how it all came together, on a budget, with lots of heart, and honestly? with so much joy.
The Theme: One-a-saurus
When I came across the idea of a One-a-saurus party, it instantly clicked. Ever since we gave our little guy a dinosaur plush teether for his first Christmas, he’s been completely obsessed with dinos. The theme felt like the perfect fit—fun, playful, and just right for celebrating our tiny dino turning one.
Decor: Thank You, Temu!
I knew I wanted the party to feel festive without spending a small fortune. So I hopped onto Temu and honestly? It was a game changer. Here’s what I ordered:
- A giant standing dinosaur balloon that stole the show
- A helium balloon set with an adorable Happy Birthday Dino
- A balloon color set that matched our theme (sage green, beige, and earthy tones)
- A sage green giant number one balloon
- Party cups, plates, and napkins with dino prints that made everything feel cohesive and cute
I put it all together myself the night before. It was a bit of a workout, not gonna lie, but so worth it when I saw the space come to life.
DIY Food & Cake: Made with Love
We kept things simple but tasty by making all the food at home. Finger foods, lunch, desert—nothing fancy, just what people actually love to eat.
And the cake? I baked it myself. From scratch. It wasn’t perfect, but it was beautiful in that homemade, mama-made-it kind of way. I decorated it with little toy dinos and green and yellow frosting. I honestly loved every minute of it, even the messy kitchen part.
Birthday Boy’s Outfit: Stylish and Smart
I found the cutest little Calvin Klein outfit from Hudson’s Bay that matched the theme perfectly – and bonus – it was 40% off. Picture this: a tiny checked button-down, little green pants, and the most adorable pair of shoes. He looked like a gentleman-a-saurus.
As for me and my husband? We didn’t buy anything new. We just picked outfits we already owned that fit the theme colors (neutrals and greens), and it worked out perfectly.
Handmade Details: That Personal Touch
I wanted to add a sweet little touch to make the day feel extra special for him, so I designed a custom birthday banner myself. It was simple, matched our color theme perfectly, and I had it printed at Staples—easy and personal.
The Final Cost of Our First Birthday Party on a Budget: Under $500
Yup, you read that right. The whole celebration including decor, food, cake, outfit, and printing came in at under $500. And it looked and felt so full of love.
It wasn’t about being perfect, it was about creating a day that felt special. And as I watched him eat his cake with frosting on his nose, surrounded by people who love him… I knew I’d remember it forever.
A Note to Other Mamas
You don’t need to spend thousands to create a meaningful, beautiful celebration for your little one. With a little planning, some creativity, and a whole lot of heart, you can make magic right at home.
And honestly? Planning it was such a joy. It sparked something in me. I loved every little detail, every DIY, every budget find. Who knew a dino party could bring out my inner party planner?
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