Frugal tips for kids' birthday parties, from Parents magazine:

· Forgo the pricey paper goods. Use a rubber stamp to perk up plain white stuff.

· Cheap centerpiece idea for a princess party: Drape candlesticks or a candelabra with costume jewelry.

· Recruit a teenage baby-sitter to do face painting or dress up as a favorite children's character.

· Fun party favor: Burn a CD of your child's favorite songs for each child to take home.

· Serve snacks that are cheap and feed a lot of kids — watermelon, ice pops, homemade snack mix.

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