So far I've spent about $22 on DD's birthday. It'll be nice when I don't have to plan for the kids AND their parents for these things and can buy enough food, plates, etc for just the kids. Anyway, so far I've taken care invitations and postage; cups, plates, napkins and plastic cutlery; balloons; plastic tablecloth; and lollipops for the goodie bags. Things I still want to get include the cake, the actual bags for the goodies, supplies for a craft to do at the party, one or two more things for the goodie bags, snacks and drinks for the party, and a gift for DD. The cake will be $20-$30 if we go the Ben and Jerry route. I've got my eye on some games and puzzles at our local independent children's bookstore that I think DD might like for a gift. We're holding the party at 1:30, so that it is after lunch and we only need to have snacks as opposed to a full-on lunch.

I don't know if this sounds extravagant to people reading this. I know that for a lot of people in my town, it would probably sound cheap - and not in a good way. ;-) But it'll be a fun party, DD will have a good time with her friends, and that's ultimately what matters.