How much should you spend on a toddler's birthday party?

here's something that might help.....
http://www.ehow.com/how_14770_childs-birthday-party.html

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/04/04jul26g.cfm

You should be able to cover food, decorations and a little entertainment for that. So, yes.

I'd say for someone like us who are below poverty level, I could do the next 5 birthdays on that.

I think it depends on how many people you're having to a certain degree.

But that's about how much I spend for a birthday party.

Only you know what you can afford to spend on a birthday party. Your child is one year old. He/she will not remember this birthday. If you can only afford to spend $20 on a cake, then he/she will be just as happy with that as a $2,000 party. A first birthday is a big deal, but spending a ridiculous amount of money, or over-extending yourself financially because of the birthday, makes absolutely no sense at all.

If you can afford that, sure. I personally don't think a first birthday should be a huge extravaganza...the birthday boy/girl won't even remember it. They'll probably cry because there's people there that they don't know or they'll sleep half the time. So do whatever YOU are comfortable with. Your baby won't care how much money or time you spent on them =]

If you can afford it its a good amount .good luck with the party.

We just had a cake and a little family party. The main things at a first birthday are a photo of the baby with cake all over the face and spending time with family. Everything else is extra.

Well, only you can say for sure, and if that's what you want to spend, that's great. Personally, I think the first couple of birthdays should be small, since they're pretty much for the adults anyway...the kids aren't going to remember them. My daughter's first birthday was just my husband and I, his brother, and my friend who had a son the same age as her. We put them in their high chairs and gave them cake and had a blast watching them demolish it.

I spent about $100 to $125 dollars on my sons 1st b-day party. And that was with the cake, utensils, cups, drinks and decorations. Since it was his first party I went to the Dollar tree and bought "balloon" theme plates and random decorations. I got a great deal on pizza (just by asking for a discount on a large order, never hurts to ask). The most expensive thing was the cake, pizza and the balloons.
this year it is going to cost alittle more b/c he is into Spongebob. good luck!