Deanna Cook shows off a butterfly birthday cake, Northampton, Mass.

Your Child's Birthday Party (107)
It used to be a birthday party meant some balloons, a few friends and a rousing game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey. But nowadays, kids' parties are more elaborate than ever and parents can easily spend hundreds of dollars on everything from entertainment to party favors. But there's no need to dip into those college savings.

Follow this survival guide to make your kid's next birthday bash a blast. It includes advice on everything from how many guests to invite to the three ways to keep a party moving — and some tips on beating those post-party blues.