The economy may be less than robust right now but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate birthdays with style. If you're tasked with throwing a birthday party for a loved one, these cost-saving tips will help you watch your wallet, while still allowing you to create an event no one will forget:

Get Creative When Planning the Birthday Party Theme

Why not try an unusual theme that can be implemented without breaking the bank for your guests or you? If you're giving a children's party, you can ask all the guests to bring inexpensive gifts suitable to give to a regional animal rescue organization or family homeless shelter. If you call the organization's manager, you can get a list of low-cost items you can recommend to your guests. Instruct them to wrap the items as if they were regular birthday gifts and then the entire party can meet at the organization to deliver them. This would not only be meaningful for everyone involved but it would also teach the children the true concept of giving.

For adults, save money by throwing a re-gifting/recycling party. Most people can locate at least one gift they've received that they don't want, so let them wrap them up and give them again! Make sure to let them know who is coming to the party though, so people don't re-gift items they received from other party guests! If you don't want to risk hurt feelings, people can just bring impulse purchases they made but have never used. Make sure to provide a specific dollar limit for the presents, so people at all income levels can participate.

Make Your Own Birthday Party Decorations and Invitations

The Internet is chock full of a terrific selection of birthday invitations for kids and adults. So why waste your money on invitations from a party or stationary store when printing them at home is so easy and inexpensive? There are also plenty of birthday clipart options on the Web, which make perfect party decorations. If you can find large enough art, you can make banners or signs. If you can't find the right kind of clipart, you have the option of decorating flower arrangements or plants with clip art cut-outs or making table place cards. If you like vintage, try printing and cutting out various free vintage birthday cards and attaching them to a string that you drape around the room or the cake table. This will create a distinctive old-time feel and make the room look great! To finish off the vintage theme, you can get mix-and-match used plates and silverware at a thrift store instead of buying paper plates and plastic knives, forks and spoons.

The key to creating a memorable birthday party is to be creative. If you infuse style into your party plans, no one will ever know you did it on the cheap!