Having worked as a full-time entertainer for over 6 years and performed at hundred's of children's birthday parties in people's homes, I have seen just about everything. From small intimate events of just the family to large extravagant affairs, birthday parties can be lots of fun for all attending.

This article will bring you some ideas on how you can plan a birthday party with budgets from $500 to $1,500.

Before we go into the budget, let us clear two major items that needs special attention: Venue and catering. The reason is that these items are very subjective in a party planning and their pricing varies a lot from companies to companies.

First, let us look at venue.

If you are living in a Condominium or a house, we highly recommend that you hold your party in the function or your house respectively. Having a party at or near your place would make logistic planning easier and of course, lower cost. You can save as much as $1,000 on venue alone if you host your party at your own premises.

Personally, I do not see the problem of hosting your party at your own premises. I have organized birthday party in a 3-room flat in few occasions!

If you are still uncomfortable with the idea, you can always book a room in venues like country clubs and hotels.

Booking of such venues are very tricky because different venues provide different prices. It is important to note that catering from their kitchen is a requirement for most venue bookings and most of them go by "cost per person" booking.

The average cost for hotel's function room bookings could range from $35 to $50 per person. The average cost for country clubs would range from $25 to $30 per person while other clubs like SAFRA clubs would range from $15 to $20 per person.

Thus, if you are looking at booking of venue (usually with catering), be sure to prepare budget of at least $600 for 20 children and 10 adults.

Next, let us look at catering.

If the party is scheduled during or close to dinner or lunch, serving food is essential. During a party, the children are usually having a so much fun, that serving a normal meal is not necessary or wanted. The children want to get back to party activities as soon as possible. Finger food like hotdogs, sandwiches, popcorns and chips are perfect. We also recommend packet drinks to minimize spilling. The cost would be on average $5-$8 per person, depending on the caterer of your choice.

Now that we have cleared budgeting for venue and catering, let us look at what we can get for various budgets:

$500 - Party Wizardz provides value-for-money package that includes games, prizes, treats, magic show, party bags and magic set for birthday child at the price of $399.

$800 - On top of the party package, Party Wizardz will be able to provide additional activities like face painting or removable tattoo. Party package from Party Wizardz with your own caterers and your own venue will cost about $800.

$1,000 - A budget of $1,000 will be able to get you a party package from Party Wizardz with decent venue with catering.

$1,500 - Budget of $1,500 will get you a party package from Party Wizardz hosted in hotel function room. If you are hosting the party at your home, this budget will allow you to get bouncy castle too.

I hope these suggestions will help in planning your next home birthday party.