I almost didn't do it this year.
Biscuit is five. Still acts like a puppy, still refuses to calm down when someone rings the doorbell. My husband kept saying "he's a dog, Sarah, he doesn't know it's his birthday" — technically true. But I've done this every year since Biscuit was one, and I wasn't stopping now.
So last Saturday: six dogs, four humans, one confused mailman, our backyard in Montclair, NJ. Total spend: $47.83. Here's exactly where it went.
Okay, the birthday hat situation took me longer than I want to admit. I've tried the paper cone hats from Target — Biscuit knocked it off in about 11 seconds. I've tried Party City ones — same result, and those elastic bands left a red mark on his chin.
This time I went with a fabric dog birthday crown from GINYOU. Soft velvet-style, wider headband, sits more like a headpiece than a hat. He kept it on for the whole photo session. First time ever. If you're looking: check it out here.
I also got regular party hats for the human kids — CPSIA certified, which matters since my neighbor's toddler was there. $12 for 24 hats.
Dog cake: peanut butter pupcake mix from Chewy. $8. Biscuit ate it in three bites and stared at me like I'd personally insulted him by not giving more.
Human food: Trader Joe's pigs-in-blankets + chips. $11. I'm not making Pinterest charcuterie for a dog party. We have limits.
Dog treat party favors: kraft paper bags with freeze-dried chicken treats. $7 for treats, $3 for bags. Dogs loved it.
Balloons from Dollar Tree: $4. Honestly the dogs were more scared of them than anything. Skip.
Happy Birthday banner from Amazon: $5. Using it three years now so cost-per-use is about $1.67.
Total: $47.83. Under $50. My husband owes me an apology.
Not the decorations. Not even the cake — though Biscuit would disagree.
It was the hat. When Biscuit sat there in his little crown while everyone took photos, that was the moment. He looked regal. In his round potato-shaped corgi way. My friend said it was "the most you thing I've ever seen." Taking that as a compliment.
If you're doing a dog birthday party on a budget:
— Skip the matching decoration sets (nobody notices)
— Find a hat that actually fits your dog's head shape
— Keep food simple
— Invite dogs whose owners you actually like
That last one is underrated.
Anyway. Biscuit is five, he's healthy, and he wore his crown like he was born to. That's enough.
— Sarah