My name is Emily Walker, and I’m a housewife. Last year, our family made a big move – we moved from the quiet English city of Bath, UK, to the bustling suburb of Austin, Texas. Our lives changed dramatically overnight: new friends, a different culture, and completely unusual approaches to family traditions. But one thing remained the same – our children’s birthdays – Sophie and Jake- which have always been special to us.
Our eldest daughter, Sophie, recently celebrated her 10th birthday. And while preparing for her birthday, I discovered that the UK and the US have completely different holiday approaches. In the UK, we are used to quiet family holidays: small parties at home, picnics in Royal Victoria Park in Bath, or trips to a farm like Bath City Farm. It was calm and inexpensive. But in Austin, everything is different. Here, birthdays are real shows with rented premises, entertainers, huge cakes, and many gifts.
I recently learned that about 20,000 Brits move to the US every year. And I think for parents who are thinking about moving or are interested in celebrating in another country, it would be interesting to know how much a birthday party costs in America and the UK, and how the approaches to creating these special days differ.
UK and USA – Two Different Approaches to Celebrating Children’s Birthdays
While living in the UK, we celebrated several of our daughter’s birthdays. In the US, we only celebrated her 10th birthday. And, despite some similarities, the approaches are very different overall:
1. Theme of the Party
In the UK, we chose simple themes. For example, for Sophie’s 9th birthday, we had a party with the theme of “Fairies and Unicorns” – our daughter adored these magical creatures. Everything was modest: decorations we made with our hands, a few games, like “dancing with chairs.” The main things are a cozy atmosphere and communication with friends.
In the US, parties are a real show. We chose the theme “Superheroes”. Children in superhero costumes, entourage, trampolines… I remember how Sophie beamed with happiness when we brought her a cake shaped like Captain America’s shield. The brightness and scale were impressive, and all the children were delighted.
2. Venue
In the UK, we usually held parties at home or rented a small hall. It’s convenient and inexpensive. We rented a hall at a local center at Sophie’s last party. Everything was up to par, but without being overly pompous.
In the US, everything is much larger. We held the birthday party at a play center equipped for children of different ages. There were trampolines, laser games, and even a special guest room.
3. Entertainment
In the UK, we often made do with classic games: “dancing with chairs,” “passes the gift.” It’s not only cheap, but also fun. I love these events because they involve a lot of live communication, and the kids are interested.
In the US, inviting professional entertainers and organizing quests at parties is common. We hired an entertainer who performed for the children in a Superman costume. It was expensive, but this approach was best for Sophie and her friends.
4. Food and Treats
In the UK, we prepare simple treats for children’s parties: sandwiches, cookies, and cupcakes. Although everything seems simple, it is delicious enough for the party. My daughter and I usually decorate the cake according to the theme.
But in the US, food at parties is a whole other story. We ordered a huge cake shaped like a superhero shield for Sophie’s birthday. The children were served a variety of treats, from pizza to cocktails.
Birthday Parties in the US
We were shocked when we calculated the cost of the children’s birthday party. The party cost us $1700. This included the venue rental, food, entertainer, decorations, and gift bags. We also left a $150 tip for the center staff.
At that time, we were tight on finances, but our friends introduced us to installment loans. We learned that in the US, many families apply for loans or use credit cards to pay for large events, and the process of obtaining a loan here is quite fast and convenient. We quickly paid off the debt, since the lending system in the country allows for flexible management of such expenses. And now I want to tell you what cost the most money:
- Venue. We chose a popular gaming center in Austin – The Play land. Here, we could rent a bounce house, quest areas, and even laser games. Renting such a center for 3 hours cost us $700. This amount included not only the space for the party, but also access to all the attractions.
- Food. The Captain America shield cake cost $150. We also ordered pizza, juices, chips, and other snacks for $200.
- Games. An entertainer dressed as Superman costs $200. He organized contests, photo sessions, and even small quests. This is, of course, an additional expense, but for such an event, it was necessary.
- Gifts for guests. We chose superhero-themed decorations: balloons, banners, posters, which cost $150. Gift bags for children with small toys and sweets cost $10 per guest. We had 16 children, and in the end, the gift bags cost us $160.
Celebrating in the UK
When we lived in Bath, I decided that Sophie’s 9th birthday would be simple but cozy. I wanted the celebration to be spent with family and close friends without fuss.
It was natural for us to celebrate at home, as it allowed us to save on the cost of renting a venue. We decorated the house with garlands, balloons, and table decorations. Everything looked simple but cute, and the kids loved the atmosphere.
Our festive table was also quite simple, but delicious. We prepared sandwiches with different fillings, potato chips, meat pies, and some sweet treats – cupcakes and a homemade cake. I made a cake with my daughter, which was awesome- delicious and heartfelt. The cake was shaped like a castle, because Sophie loved fairies and unicorns this year. Plus, it was a lot cheaper than if we had ordered something from a bakery.
We didn’t hire any professional entertainers. Instead, the kids and I played some good old games that everyone knows: “chair dancing,” “passing presents,” and “searching for surprises.” These games always bring a lot of laughter, and the kids can participate actively. Instead of hiring some entertainers, we focused on lively communication and having fun, and I can tell you, it was 100% the right decision. There were 7 of Sophie’s classmates and their parents at the party. It was a small circle, but everyone knew each other well and had a nice chat.
In total, the party costs were about £380. This included the hall hire (around £150), food and drinks (around £100), decorations (around £50) and goodie bags for guests (£30). In the UK, there is no obsession with expensive holidays. Sophie celebrated her 9th birthday in the family circle, and I am sure she will remember it for a long time. And most importantly, we did not spend a fortune.
Tips on How to Have a Fun Party and Save Money
Based on my experience and recommendations from my friends, I can say that you can organize a fantastic party even at an affordable price. Next year, I will use these tips:
- I start preparing a few weeks or months before the event. This will give me enough time to find the best deals on renting places, food, and entertainment. For example, if the party is on a weekday, you can negotiate a discount on rent or find more affordable options for animators and entertainment. You can save a lot with a few calls and a little time to search.
- I use the simplest but most effective decor: balloons. They create volume and set the right atmosphere. Multi-colored balloons can make any figure, from a rainbow to a unicorn. They are also great for photo zones on any theme.
- I organize outdoor games like treasure hunts, quests, or obstacle races. These do not require large expenses and guarantee a lot of fun. Children will happily run, look for treasures and complete tasks.
- I will make something with my own hands. You can make slimes, anti-stress toys, soap, or candy with the children. Many videos with master classes are available online, which will help me.
- I will organize a movie or cartoon marathon. For example, all the parts about Harry Potter or the classic Star Wars: I will not have to rent a movie theater! Hiring a projector and speakers is enough; the rest will be done in a cozy atmosphere with popcorn, pizza, fruit, and homemade drinks.
- I will share the costs with friends. If you do not want to do everything alone, teaming up with other parents is a great option. Together we can rent a site for the party, significantly reducing costs. Sharing the costs of food and drinks will also help save.
Conclusion
After experiencing both types of parties—the simpler one in the UK and the grand celebration in the US—I’ve realized that each approach has pros and cons. Everything is much simpler and cheaper in the UK, with less stress involved. Although the costs are much higher in the US, the party became a real show that brought joy.
Next time, I’ll focus more on what’s more important to us — saving money and keeping the party cozy or going all out and making it something big and unforgettable. But most importantly, I’ve learned that it’s all about your priorities. For every parent, the perfect party is the one that brings joy and satisfaction, not stress and worry.