Birthday Party Budgeting for Adults: What to Spend (and Save) According to 2025 Data

  • October 10, 2025
  • 16 min read
  • Events
Smiling woman in a yellow party hat in front of blue backdrop

Source: Made in Peerspace

Planning a birthday party is exciting—but without a clear budget, costs can spiral. Between food, cake, decorations, and maybe even a rented space, the expenses add up fast. That’s why creating a birthday party budget is one of the smartest steps you can take.

But how much is reasonable to spend in 2025?

To find out, Peerspace surveyed 1,000 people who had planned an adult birthday party within the last two years. The results reveal what people are really spending, what pushes costs higher, and where you can save money without cutting the fun.

Table of contents

How much does an average birthday party cost in 2025?

A group photo of a large group on a rooftop in New York City
Source: Peerspace

Quick answer: A realistic birthday party budget in 2025 often falls between $800 and $1,500, with smaller at-home gatherings on the lower end and larger venue-based celebrations on the higher end.

Our 2025 survey shows a wide range of spending habits, but some clear patterns emerge:

  • Overall spend: Adults spend about $1,185 on average for a birthday celebration.
  • Guest list size: Most parties host around 24 guests.
  • Gen Z budgets: Nearly identical to the overall average at $1,185.
  • Millennials: The biggest spenders, averaging $1,411 per party.
  • Gender differences: Men spend about $1,184, while women spend less at roughly $807.
  • Top expenses: Food, drinks, and catering account for most of the budget.

Pro tip: Since the average party had about 24 guests, it’s easy to see how costs for food and drinks rise quickly. Every additional 10 people can add hundreds of dollars in catering or bar expenses, making the guest list one of the most powerful levers in your budget. Explore our guide on who to invite to a birthday party if you’re not sure how to trim your list.

A deep dive into adult birthday party spending 

An overhead shot of a dining table where guests toast with wine glasses
Source: Peerspace

When people plan a birthday party, their money doesn’t spread evenly across every detail. Our 2025 survey showed that one category dominated most budgets: food and drinks, and catering. Together, they accounted for the bulk of what people spent, while other categories like entertainment, cake, decorations, and venues played supporting roles.

Food, catering, and drinks

Takeaway: Food, catering, and drinks dominate as the top spending priority across all demographics. 

This category consistently ranks as the #1 budget allocation, with respondents spending the most money here compared to any other party element. However, the data suggests that this category can be challenging to budget correctly.

What the data shows:

  • 29.5% of all respondents wish they had spent more on food and drinks
  • 22.9% of people regretted spending too much on food and drinks

Pro tip: Because so many people regret both overspending and underspending, this category deserves extra planning and careful budgeting. Use the resources below to lock in the right food and drink numbers.

Entertainment, activities, or games

Takeaway: Entertainment ranks as one of the most important aspects of parties, with 56.2% of respondents citing “fun, entertainment, or activities” as a top priority. 

However, spending patterns reveal interesting contradictions. There’s a gap between how important people say entertainment is and how much they actually spend on it, suggesting many party planners could benefit from allocating more budget to this category.

Here’s what the data says:

  • 22.2% wish they had spent more on entertainment. It was the second-highest category people felt they underspent on.
  • 18.1% said they spent too much here, putting this category in the middle of the pack for overspending regret.
  • Both Gen Z and Millennials show similar regret patterns (around 22%).
  • Despite high importance, entertainment typically ranks 4th in actual budget allocation.

Pro tip: Love having fun at your parties? Bump up your entertainment budget by 5–10% more than you think you’ll need. It’s the best way to avoid wishing you’d spent more later.


Cake or desserts

Takeaway: Cake and desserts are a safe bet—few people regret spending too much or too little here, which shows most planners get the budget just right. Spending patterns suggest they’re often viewed as a necessary rather than a premium expense.  

Spending snapshot:

  • 18.8% wished they had spent more on cake or desserts, placing this category in the mid-range for underspending regret.
  • Only 14.0% regretted spending too much here—one of the lowest overspending rates overall.
  • Just 15.5% intentionally cut back or skipped cake and desserts, the lowest skip rate across all categories.
  • Cakes and desserts typically rank third in overall budget priority.

Pro tip: Cake is worth the spend! Set aside around 15% of your budget here. Since overspending regret is low and almost everyone includes dessert, adding a little extra for a custom design or upgraded flavors is money well spent.

Venue or location rental

Takeaway: Venue represents a major binary decision—rent or host at home. When people do rent venues, they’re more likely to regret overspending than underspending, suggesting many could opt for simpler venue solutions without sacrificing party quality.

Spending patterns to know:

  • 28% intentionally cut back or skipped venue rental, often choosing free spaces like a home or a park.
  • Just 13.1% wished they had spent more on the venue—the lowest underspending regret of any category.
  • 15.7% regretted overspending on venues, one of the higher rates across categories.
  • Women reported lower underspending regret (10.6%) compared to men.
  • Venue choices tend to be all-or-nothing: most either invest heavily or skip renting altogether.

Pro tip:  Consider carefully whether a paid venue makes sense for your party. If managing logistics at a park feels overwhelming or your home isn’t ideal for hosting, renting a space can be worth the investment. Platforms like Peerspace offer a middle ground—affordable venues you can rent by the hour with clear, upfront pricing.

a couple in formal wear celebrating with drinks
Source: Made in Peerspace

Decorations and party supplies

Takeaway: Decorations are a “nice-to-have,” and the right budget depends on how much you value aesthetics and creating Instagrammable moments.

How people actually spend:

  • 21.5% regretted not spending more on decorations, while 17.9% regretted overspending—a fairly balanced split.
  • Women placed higher importance on aesthetics (20.2% valued an “Instagrammable setup”) compared to men (15.7%).
  • Millennials showed slightly higher regret about underspending on decorations (22.9% vs. 21.5% overall).
  • 22.3% intentionally cut back or skipped decorations entirely.

Pro tip: Decide what matters most: your vibe, your feed, or both. Then scale your decoration budget to match. We’ve rounded up some fresh, new party decoration ideas if you’re looking for some inspiration.

Party favors

Takeaway: Party favors are usually the first thing to cut, but the regret numbers show they can still bring meaningful value when you have room in the budget.

Spending patterns to know:

  • 33% intentionally cut back or skipped party favors, making it one of the most commonly skipped categories.
  • 16.3% wished they had spent more, placing it in the mid-range for underspending regret.
  • Only 13.6% regretted overspending on favors, one of the lowest rates overall.
  • Women skipped favors slightly more often (34.2%) than the overall average.
  • Both Gen Z and Millennials were equally likely to skip favors.

Pro tip: On a tight budget? Skip the favors—you likely won’t miss them. Got a little wiggle room and love the details? Go ahead and add them in.

Photography or videography

Takeaway: Photography represents a classic “you don’t know what you’re missing until it’s gone” category. While easily cut for budget reasons, the absence is often felt later when memories matter most.

What party planners told us:

  • 31.3% cut back or skipped photography and videography entirely, making it the second-most skipped category.
  • 14.9% wished they had spent more, placing it in the mid-range for underspending regret.
  • Only 10.0% regretted overspending—the lowest rate of any category.
  • Women were more likely to regret skipping, at 14.6% compared to the overall average.

Pro tip: Love the memories? Don’t skip photos. Low-cost options include asking a friend with a good camera to help in exchange for dinner, or leaving a few disposable cameras on tables for guests to use. 

Invitations

Takeaways: Traditional formal invitations are largely obsolete for modern birthday party planning, making this an obvious area for budget savings without significant regret.

How people actually spend:

  • 39.2% spent less or skipped formal invitations altogether, making it the most frequently skipped category.
  • Just 14.8% wished they had spent more on invitations—one of the lowest underspending regrets.
  • Another 14.8% regretted spending too much, matching underspending regret but ranking high for overspending.
  • Skipping invitations was common across all age groups and genders.

Pro tip: Skip the paper—digital invites are easier and cheaper. Canva and Evite are great for setting the vibe, or keep it casual with a quick text that gives guests the key details.

Big picture takeaways 

  1. Food is the top expense. It consistently ranks as the highest priority and the largest share of spending across all demographics.
  2. Entertainment is important but underfunded. People rate it highly but spend less on it, suggesting there is room to allocate more budget here.
  3. Invitations and favors are the least important. They have the highest skip rates and cause the least regret when omitted.
  4. Gender differences appear in aesthetics. Women place more emphasis on visual elements and photography compared to men.
  5. Generational spending is similar. Gen Z and Millennials show only minor differences in party spending priorities.

Sample birthday party budget templates

Woman toast at a tropically-themed table
Source: Peerspace

Every party is different, but seeing sample budgets helps you decide what’s realistic for your own celebration. Below are four common setups for roughly 25 people inspired by our survey data.

Small birthday party budget (under $100)

Perfect for intimate gatherings, this approach relies heavily on DIY and creativity.

  • Venue: Free (at home or outdoors)
  • Food and drinks: $40–$60 (homemade dishes, potluck style, or pizza delivery)
  • Cake: $20–$40 (grocery store cake or homemade)
  • Decorations: $20 (balloons, candles, streamers)
  • Entertainment: Free (music playlist, yard games)

This budget range is great for last-minute or low-key birthdays where the vibe matters more than the spend.

Simple birthday party budget ($100–$500)

This range covers the majority of parties in our survey. It balances some splurge items with smart savings.

  • Venue: Free or $100 rental (community room, recreation center, backyard, or a park)
  • Food and drinks: $100–$200 (mix of homemade + store-bought items)
  • Cake: $50–$100 (customized design from a local bakery)
  • Decorations: $50–$100 (DIY balloon garlands, flowers, photo backdrop)
  • Entertainment: $50–$75 (board games, karaoke machine rental, or kids’ activities)

This budget is best for family-friendly celebrations, milestone birthdays on a budget, or small group birthday dinners. If you’re not feeling inspired yet, these affordable birthday party ideas might help get your creative juices flowing!

Adult birthday party budget ($500–$1,000)

For larger groups or more elaborate parties, costs scale quickly—especially around food and venue.

  • Venue: $200–$400 (studio, lounge, or small event space)
  • Food and drinks: $200–$400 (catering trays, bar package, or professional bartender)
  • Cake: $100–$150 (multi-tier or themed cake)
  • Decorations: $100–$150 (professional balloon arch, centerpieces, lighting)
  • Entertainment: $100–$200 (DJ, rental games, or live performer)

You might consider this budget range for milestone birthdays (30th, 40th, 50th), medium-sized groups, or when atmosphere is a priority. Get some fresh new ideas for adult birthday parties in our next guide.

Splurge-worthy celebration ($1,000+)

This tier matches what Gen X and higher-spending Millennials reported most often in our survey.

  • Venue: $400–$600+ (private dining room, loft, gallery)
  • Food and drinks: $500–$1,000 (full-service catering, open bar)
  • Cake: $150–$300 (custom or luxury bakery)
  • Decorations: $200–$500 (floral designer, professional decorator)
  • Entertainment: $300+ (live band, multi-hour DJ, rental experiences)

Choose this budget tier for large guest counts, milestone birthdays with family and friends, or parties designed as full experiences.

Best printable free birthday party budget templates

Woman sits on couch with flowers surrounded by birthday balloons for her 28th birthday
Source: Made in Peerspace

Once you’ve seen how costs break down, the next step is putting it all into a format you can actually use. Below are some of the best free, printable templates to help you map out your birthday party budget in detail.

Best birthday party budgeting calculators and tools

A group of people sit at a low-lying table enjoying a meal
Source: Peerspace

With these calculators and tools in hand, you’ll be able to plan with confidence—and adjust as your guest count or ideas evolve. 

Food and quantity calculators

Cake serving calculators

Balloon and decoration calculators

Now, let’s look at how to actually build your birthday party budget step by step.

How to set a budget for a birthday party

Friends gather on an outdoor patio under bistro lights
Source: Peerspace

Creating a birthday party budget doesn’t have to be complicated. With a clear process, you’ll know exactly where your money is going and where you can cut back if needed. Here’s a simple step-by-step approach:

1. Decide on your guest count first

Your headcount is the single biggest factor in total cost. Our survey shows food and drinks scale by $150–$300 for every 10 additional guests. Start with a realistic number, then build everything else around it.

2. Set your total budget number

Choose your comfort zone (under $100, $100–$500, $500–$1,000, or $1,000+). This keeps you from overspending before details pile up.

3. Allocate by category

Using 2025 data on how people actually budget for birthday parties, here’s a rough percentage breakdown you can use as a guide—then adjust it to match your own priorities.

  • Food and drinks: 40%
  • Entertainment: 15%
  • Cake: 15%
  • Decorations: 12%
  • Venue: 10%
  • Party favors: 5%
  • Photography/Videography: 2%
  • Invitations: 1%

4. Research realistic costs

Check local venues, bakeries, and rental companies. Prices vary widely by city—what costs $500 in one place may be $250 in another.

5. Track as you go

Use a spreadsheet, printable template, or budgeting app. Keep a running total and adjust when one category runs high.

6. Identify savings opportunities

If your total is climbing, look at guest count first—this gives you the most wiggle room.

Tips to save money without cutting fun

A woman dances in a NYC backyard lit up by twinkly lights
Source: Made in Peerspace

A smaller birthday party budget doesn’t have to mean a boring celebration. Here are some of the most creative ways to cut costs while still hosting memorable parties.

Trim the guest list

Every 10 additional guests adds about $150–$300 in food and drinks. If you’re on the fence about inviting coworkers’ plus-ones, this is where to scale back.

Host at home or outdoors

Free options like your backyard or a public park can save you hundreds while giving you plenty of flexibility. But don’t overlook rental sites like Peerspace—you may find surprisingly affordable options that fit your needs without breaking the bank.

Mix DIY with store-bought

Combining homemade dishes with affordable catering trays help keep costs balanced. The same goes for décor: a DIY balloon kit plus a few standout store-bought accents creates a polished look without the price tag of a decorator.

Go digital for invites and playlists

Skip paper invitations and pricey entertainment. Free design tools (like Canva) work for invites, and streaming services make it easy to crowdsource the perfect playlist.

Rethink the cake

Custom bakery cakes can cost $150–$300. A store-bought cake dressed up with fresh or edible flowers or a custom cake topper from Etsy often looks just as good in photos.

Bundle party favors

Instead of individual trinkets, think about one group activity that doubles as a favor—like a photo booth with instant prints, or a DIY cupcake station where guests decorate and take one home.

FAQs about birthday party budgets

Friends raise glasses in a toast at an intimate gathering
Source: Peerspace

What parts of a birthday party cost the most?

Our survey showed a single standout category in birthday party budgets. Food and drinks make up roughly 40% of the total budget.

Is a birthday party cheaper at home or at a venue?

Throwing a party at home usually costs less. That said, your time has value—if turning your space into party-ready shape feels overwhelming, it may be worth paying for a venue instead.

What is a good or reasonable budget for a birthday party?

Survey averages suggest three budget levels for birthday parties:

  • Small or simple parties usually cost between $200 and $500.
  • Mid-range celebrations usually cost between $500 and $1,000.
  • Splurge events usually cost more than $1,000.

Ultimately, a “reasonable” birthday party budget depends on your guest count and priorities. The most cost-sensitive planners tend to focus on food and décor at home, while higher-spending groups are more likely to rent venues and book entertainment.

Closing tips on budgeting for birthdays

A birthday party doesn’t need to break the bank to feel special. Our survey made one thing clear: while people spend very differently on various party elements, the #1 biggest reason for throwing a party at all is creating meaningful moments with friends and family. Keep this at the heart of your planning—especially during those inevitable moments of budget panic or stress.

If you start with your guest count, set a clear budget, and focus your spending on the categories that matter most to you, you’ll feel in control from start to finish. And with the right planning tools, you’ll know exactly where to save and where to splurge.

Looking for the perfect space that fits your budget? 

Explore birthday party venues on Peerspace to compare options and find one that matches both your budget and your party inspo.

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