OT- should I host a sibling party?

[renae3]

Hi everyone. Just curious to what everyones thoughts are on hosting a sibling party. I have 3 kids who will turn 2, 5, and 8. My youngest two are one week apart, the end of August and first week of September while my oldest is in October. My family lives about 1-2 hours away and I thought combining everyones birthday in the summer would be fun. This would be just a family party but not sure I would want to obligate everyone to buy 3 gifts! We have done joint birthday parties with just 2 kids, but not all 3. Is this a ridiculous idea? Can I request that they bring only 1 present for 1 child? Any thoughts , suggestions, ideas, are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Bren's Mom]

No need to mention gifts at all. Surely if they are family and they normally are invited to your kids' birthday parties they are budgeting for a gift for each of them. It's not a big deal.

 

[MSSANDRA]

For just family, I think it's a great idea!!!!

 

[donac]

We have sometimes done cousin's party. My ds1 and my neice are close and only a month apart. We had a party halfway between and then threw in my dad who's birthday is in the middle.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

With so much business in everyone's lives, I think they would be grateful for one big celebration. My sister and I just discussed a cousin party for family (our girls are weeks apart.)

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I think it is OK to have 2: One for the children that are a week apart, and one for the child who is born in October.

 

[disprincessatheart]

i think it's a good idea. Growing up I always got a big family birthday party because our town did their 4th of july celebration a week early, which is the week of my birthday. It was a big thing that happened right behind our house, so a lot of our extended family (40+ people) woudl come over, do a big picnic and stay for fireworks. Most brought me birthday gifts and we had 3 or 4 cakes each time. My sister never got a big party or gifts from extended family for her birthday a month earlier.

 

[poohfriend77]

I think one family party is fine. I agree that you don't need to mention presents at all. Family members are already expecting to buy something for each kid. Although if someone asks you specifically for ideas, it might be nice to ask for a larger "group gift" such as more expensive video game or membership to a museum, etc. In fact, people might be relieved. I always feel guilty when we can't go to my niece's birthday party if we went to my nephew's the month before. But make sure each kid has his or her own cake (or at least a cupcake)... and sing three times so each kid has his or her own special moment.

 

[pigget74]

This is what we do. All of my kids are born in September--1 a week lol. September 5, 14, 24, and 30th. We have 1 big party. Did this with the first two when they were younger and now we do it for all. This September the ages will be 16, 13, 5, and 3. The 5 year old was a great non planned event --just so happened he was due in September. The youngest was planned, but she was origianlly due in October and born on the 30th of September.

What is really funny---the boys were not planned and both born in September. The girls were palnned and were either born late (due in August born in September) or early!

This is much easier for my family who have to drive from out of town. WE typically have it at my house and have a big cookout and make a day out of it.

 

[Pastamom]

We do the same thing for my DS's - they are 3 weeks apart. We have separate cakes and they each get to pick a special food. We have a big cookout

I know our families like it because it only "kills" one of their weekends

 

[heatherleigh]

I would do 2, like one of the other posters suggested. Do a combined party for the summer ones, and keep the Sept. kids' separate. Don't mention anything about gifts.

We are having our first, ever, combined birthday next month w/ family. It makes it much easier, and they're young enough to where I can get away with it.