• Homemade cakes are much cheaper than store-bought ones.birthday cake image by tomcat2170 from Fotolia.com
  
  Birthday parties don't have to be boring to be low in cost. Set up a themed party, a dance party, a food-centered party or an outdoor party to make the most of your special day. Just make sure that your guests know what to expect and what to bring, and you're sure to have a blast.
  
  

Themed Birthday Party

• Choose your theme and see what happens.costume da bagno image by goccedicolore.it from Fotolia.com
  
  A themed birthday party can be as elaborate as simple as you want---and as pricey as you want. You don't have to buy decorations and a costume to have a themed birthday party, just pick themes that use materials you already have. Besides, themes that aren't extravagant make it easy for all the guests to comply to the theme.
  
  Try such themes as "the color gold," "the 1970s," "cheesy," "the great out-of-doors" or "speakeasy." These themes can be fulfilled by a trip to the thrift store and some creative party dishes. Encourage guests to bring simple gifts that fit the theme: a block of brie for the "cheesy" theme, or a bottle of gin for the "speakeasy" theme.
  
  

Birthday Dance Party

• Rock out at your next birthday party!Music image by Emil Maga from Fotolia.com
  
  Birthday dance parties can bring out the best in your friends. Have them wear fun dance outfits and their favorite albums, and take turns playing DJ. For low-cost dance floor lighting, use last year's Christmas lights or get a tinted lightbulb. Show animated movies with the volume off at one end of the room, and you'll really feel like you're in a discotheque!
  
  

Birthday Party Potluck

• Cold salads are cheap and delicious.side dish image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
  
  If you don't have the money to feed all your friends at your birthday party but you still want to have a feast, tell each guest to bring a potluck dish instead of a present. See if one person will bring a birthday cake, too. The birthday celebrant doesn't need to bring anything at all. If everyone brings one item, there will be enough food---and probably enough wine, from those who don't have time to cook---to last for hours.
  
  

Barbecue Birthday Party

• You don't have to be a soccer star to have with your friends.Soccer ball image by Jut from Fotolia.com
  
  This is a variation of the birthday party potluck. Head on over to the park, bring a kickball and have a birthday barbecue. Be sure to ask guests to bring things to grill or side dishes instead of bringing gifts. Running around in a park with friends for the afternoon is satisfying and free.
  
  You may also have the option of getting an alcohol permit for your party---you'll have to inquire at the park if alcohol permits are an option and how much they will cost.