OT: Children's bday parties, keeping counts down

[minkydog]

To the original OP - is having a party at home not an option? That in itself will help tremendously in keeping costs down and you can still have how ever many you want to invite. You would just have to have several adults around to help.

Our kids are fortunate in that they have several good friends at church so b/day parties always include our church friends, which means the parents stick around, which means there's lots of adults. We have a few basic party games, beat up on a pinata, eat those little corn dog bites, a few grapes, apples w/caramel dip, juice boxes and cake and call it a party. We're also fortunate that we usually have very pleasant weather and a large backyard. Everything is geared to keep them outdoors if possible.

I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of site b/day parties simply because there doesn't seem to be a lot of guest interaction. I'm sure some businesses do it better than others, but in my experience, the pizza places is all about the games.

You and i are on the same frequency. None of my kids had a packaged party. We invite the number of kids equal to the child's age,+ one. That way I can easily have inside my house or outside,if the weather cooperates.

We have had several costume parties: come dressed as your favorite super hero, Fairies & Bees, Pocohontas.

We have had craft parties: painting flowerpots, big bubbles, christmas ornaments, Indian crafts.

We have had outdoor sports & music parties: olympic games, scavenger hunts, hike in the woods/ first aid & safety party, bike decorating party, camping in the back yard

We have had beauty parties(for DD): pedicure/manicure party, Dress ups & Makeup.

We have had Movie parties: Watch videos of Willy Wonka, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Poseidon Adventure, Monty Python & the Holy Grail

But never a party at Chuck E Cheese, McDonald's, a skating rink, a bowling alley, or any place else where kids are encouraged to go wild and ignore the birthday child.

 

[emmalgin]

Always more kids then expected. First we are doing bowling ($12/person). There are 30+ kids in his class and other friends. We first go through who invited him to parties and then his firends, family & obligations. We happily have kept it to 15-18.

Only other option is allow 2-3 friends maximum and do something special.

Unfortunately that's life. If the child is under 6, I think you have to invite everyone his/her age in the class/daycare. Or as suggested take a cake in for afternoon snack.

There is nothing worse then creating friction or hurt feelings amongst parents.

 

[funcinderella]

Concerning the siblings...
It does surprise me that people bring them uninvited. My son has been invited to several parties from his preschool class; the classes are small and it's a public school. All the Moms know he has a twin sister (who goes to a different preschool), and very often they will put on the invitation that Kaitlyn is invited also. I am very appreciative when they do this; however, I don't expect it, and if she is not invited, she does NOT go. (And when she does go, I always spend twice as much on the gift, since it is from two children.)
How utterly rude of those people!!

 

[momx2]

Our daycare is one of those that you must invite the whole class. So I do. Besides it really would hurt those little feelings if we didn't. I did have one mother ask about bringing a sibling at my last party. I said that was fine, but she would have to buy his tokens, etc. He came with his mom and grandmother. Grandma and him scoped the tables for tokens the other kids had left by mistake and took others drinks, turned the straw around and drank them I gave them pizza and one of the kids didn't show and I gave him a balloon. He was about 8 or 9 and this was a 4 year old party. Just inappropriate IMHO. Besides if grandma was available she could have watched him while the mother brought the 4 yr. old.

By the way at my older DD's 7 last bdy party. One mother dropped off her child turned around and rang my doorbell again 10 seconds later and said the little sister must stay also because she was crying. She wasn't crying and spoke very little english. The older sister had to basically speak for her all night. Very strange situation there also.