I create way too much stress every year for myself when I start planning my kids' birthdays. DD's is right at Thanksgiving and DS's is Dec. 19. I guess I stress because it's right at Thanksgiving and Christmas and I'm very busy then of course. Well, this year I am stressing more because we don't really have too many kids we could invite. DD has met children through HS classes and Karate but we don't really think of any as "good friends". So, I don't know what to do. They have a 9yo cousin who usually comes but his b'day is the very same day as DD's so that is a problem too. I sometimes try to do a family b'day party at Thanksgiving but this year we have to go out of town because it's Dh's Grandmother's big 85th b'day (the day before dd's). UGH! I really, really want to stop worrying about this but I can't seem to come up with any answers. I guess we could come home on her b'day and have cake with whatever family is here that day but I know we'll be exhausted from driving all day. Okay, I guess what i'm asking is...Is it terrible for me to just take the kids and their cousin one day to Chuck E Cheese and have little cakes for each of them and one small gift and call that their party? I would still have a cake at home for us and gifts, but the family wouldn't be coming. The only problem I see with this is that Grandparents and such might not be able to or want to come to the Chuck E Cheese thing. Boo, hoo, right? I'm just used to them being at every single birthday for 8 years that it will seem weird if they don't come. Okay, I feel better just talking it out. Thanks for listening!
Do what works for you without stressing about it. While my kids had small parties (and combined, since their birthdates are a week apart) in the past with 3 friends each, this year we took one friend for each and went miniature golfing. They seemed to love it. For cooler weather you could do something like bowling. Also, are you stressing about having a party on the exact birthdate? I'm sure if you sit down and discuss with your child why another date would work better they'd understand. good luck Carol
CCC isn't my thing, but if it's yours, go for it! I understand about grandparents...maybe have them come to the house when you had cake for the "family", perhaps a week later? If it's less stressful, then go ahead and do it!
Jackie, I'm kind of the opposite of you. I feel like if I invite people to my home it's much more work. I stress and work really hard trying to get my house clean and ready. If we do a party elsewhere I'm a lot less stressed.
That's why I don't have a party every year, LOL! I do feel stressed out with family coming, but not with friends. My friends understand my less-than-perfect house, while my MIL and mom keep a fairly spotless house. But I also find that trying to do a good clean when they come, etc. helps me keep it in more of an order, and it will stay picked up for a few days. I don't want to go out, because of the expense and because I like the kids to be more creative. And the arcade places REALLY turn me off. We've been to Magic Mountain with the church groups, and I think the arcade is teaching kids to gamble! SERIOUSLY!!! Now understand, if my kids are invited to a party at a place like that, I let them go. It's a matter of stress vs. money. There are those that say the money is worth the lack of stress, while others feel the stress is worth saving the money.
Missy... we rarely have had the chance to have a brthday party on the actual day of the birthday - it just works out that way for us. I wouldn't stress too much over the details of the party... what you need is a cake, the birthday child and a present or two for the child... everything else is a bonus (I only really clued into that as a friend of mine was getting married and she fretted over not having enough decorations, etc. I told her that as long as she and the groom to be were there along with the minister, best man and maid of honor - everything else was extra). What matters (in my opinion anyway) is making it a special day for the child... I have been known to decorate our lawn with balloons and streamers so everyone driving by knows that we have a birthday child... and they love the little extra attention they get for it.
I think the chuck e cheese thing with the cousin is great, and then the at home thing would be a great ending, (I have to admit that we just have home partys with the kids) I try to do either a pinata or goodie bags and have a theme (even though with twins its hard to have a theme they both want--this year its hairy potter). my parents come over and thats about it.
Chuck E. Cheese has the walk-in B-day parties too. The Birthday kid is made to feel special and you don't have to buy the whole birthday thingy. (I used to work there). You jsut tell them it's a birthday when you go in.. They get a crown and a balloon and an announcement that it's their b-day. Chuck E comes out with an icecream sandwich with a candle and sing Happy Birthday from chucky. All you pay for is food an tokens like you would any trip to chuck E. cheese. Sami's party wasn't on her Bday so on her actual B-day I took her for that. (I had the free refill cups already and I bought an order of fries and a cotton candy (the cotton candy bought from chuck E. and the birthay thing go Sami about 12 tokens for free) So I figure it was a total of about $8. Add pizza and you have enough for a couple other people too, with zero work for you. I think it works out great.. But as far as parties at the house, I always have WAY more ideas than what I actually use. The kids really feel special just that friends get to come over and that they have a cake! The best decorations reall are balloons... Just blow up a ton and have a cake and BAM! instant party. one of Sami's Parties we jsut made the theme Balloons! they are easy and cheap and very festive. try not to stress... The kids just want to be noticed on their B-day. Anything you do counts.
I think Chuck E Cheese is fine. Grandparents can come if they want. I would just do it easy and simple for your sake. One time I took some kids to mcDonalds and bought a hamburger and a small drink. I took my own cake in and they played in the tubes. It worked just fine. Kids don't care as much as we do. MOMS I mean.
I agree Lorna, If we let them know they're special we don't need to stress out big time, or they pick up on it and aren't as happy. It's like Chritmas, parents stress over buying the latest or best gift. Then the kid opens it....and plays with the box it came in!!! They're really content with less if we are!
Well, I appreciate everyone's input but I still don't have an answer about what to do. I may try to do it at home on the weekend like always but it's not what I want. I would much rather do a restaurant. Hmm, I may just think of a good place to eat at and do it there. My nephew just turned 20 and he had his at Folks. My sister brought the cake and he just had the "party" there!
Lorna...I mentioned the McDonalds idea and Avery didn't like it. She said she didn't like McD's food. Can you believe that? Anyway, I thought it would be fun. I guess we are going to do the Chuck E Cheese visit and do the kids together killing 2 birds with one stone. I think even their one year old neices could play in the toddler area. Thanks again everyone for the ideas!
Madison just had a tea party for her bday on Saturday. I have to admit it was so completely wonderful. We allowed her to invite four friends, plus my three girls were there. They had PB sandwiches, fruit, crackers and cheese. I made petite fours the night before and they had such a great time. I was even to check my email while they were all here. :mrgreen: I did sent a "goody bag" home, but it was just a $.99 tea cup with a tea saucer and a thing of hot choc inside. I wrapped it in tissue paper and put a bow on it. She loved it bc she wore a princess crown and had her closet friends over for a "private" tea party! :lol: Good luck. I completely understand. I am sure your kids will understand though. My bday is around Thanksgiving and it never bothered me. I was just always so grateful to have friends! :smile:
Kelley, that sounds so nice!!! My daughter was invited to a tea birthday party, and the invitation was ALSO for her favorite doll. The spread a blanket out on the floor and put the "babies" on it so the "play" while the "mommies" drank their tea.
It is ok to have the birthday on a different day.I am sure your child will apreciate whatever you do. Do what fits at the time. We used to haul scrap. The hollidays were tough. I gave my kids a little something then in the summer I threw them all a surprise party which really surprised them because it wasn't their birthday.I called it my Just because I love you day.
That reminds me of my Aunt Wanda My grandma's sister had tea parties all the time. She came over and Oh I just love her for it.
