Sharing a birthday party (friends)

[FLmomof2]

I know this is probably strange but my child and her good friend are in the same Pre K class and their birthdays are 2 weeks apart. I am good friends with the mom of the other child and we were talking about having a shared birthday at a place both kids want their parties at. It is expensive to rent the place so we thought it would save us both money splitting the cost of the rental, and food (we would have separate cakes and party favors)

1. The same kids would be invited (10 of the classmates) and 3 others for my daughter and 3 of the other childs.

2. The birthdays fall right around Memorial day and the end of school and we both wanted to have the birthday the same weekend so not to interfere with the holiday and have it before school gets out.

3. Both children like the idea of sharing the party.

So I am open to all opinions because I am really on the fence. I don't want parents to feel pressure since they would most likely buy a present for both children. I also don't want people thinking its strange (since its an unusual idea).

Please give me your opinions!

 

[palpluto]

I think it is a great idea.

 

[sahmoftwo]

I think it sounds like a great idea...and it might even be easier on the parents since they can go to both parties at one time rather than have a party two weeks in a row!

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

My friend and I had birthdays 3 days apart, so when we turned 13 we had a birthday party together at the skating rink. we had been friends since elemetary school, were on dance together and had the same friends. It was great only 1/2 the cost for our parents. I say go for it, expecially if the kids want to. I would just make sure the 3 s/he does not know and vice versa do not feel like the need to bring a present for the other child. I am sure it is something they will never forget. Have fun and let us know how it turns out

 

[janloz]

we have done this several times for both DS and DD with classmates who had birthdays close to eachother. It has worked out wonderfully for both the kids and the parents and all parents were thankful for the combined party since they then only had to attend one party. plus it saved alot of money for both families involved. no one thought it was weird to have a combined party and didn't mind buying gifts for both birthday child especially if they would be going to both individual parties. if we invite a friend or family to the party, they are only expected to buy for bday child they know. it has worked great for us, give it a try, if it doesn't work, lesson learned.

 

[puffkin]

I'm a twin, so all my parties were shared

I don't think anyone would have a problem with it. I as a parent wouldn't mind at all!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Love the idea! If you had two separate parties they would have had to buy 2 presents anyway. And this doesn't tie up 2 days. I think parents would love it!

 

[mamaLori05]

we did that last year for DS's 2nd birthday. He and his "cousin" (not really related, but close family friends" are only 1 week apart. We held a combined party and just told the guests they didn't have to buy presents for both. The ones who knew the other child bought presents for him, and everyone who knew DS bought presents for him. It worked out perfect. Both kids ended up getting about the same amount of presents, not that it really matters, but some might get worried about that. We are thinking of doing it agian this year.

As a parent, I definately wouldn't mind going to a combined party either. Saves the time!!!

 

[antsss]

Great idea. Something I would have done if I had the opportunity. As a parent, I too would love to "kill 2 birds" and get two parties over with (sorry to sound crass, but with 3 kids we always have a party to go to and it can be a drag sometimes). Go for it!

 

[FLmomof2]

Wow! I thought I was going to get more negatives than positives!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[cvjw]

My son and his best friend had a combined birthday party at the jumpy place a couple of years ago. It worked out great!! We let each kid send out 15 invitations - most were to the same people, but a couple of the kids were only invited to one of the parties. We split the cost of the rental, we split the cost of the food (we had a huge combined cake), we did combined goodie bags. It was great - a wonderful party at half the cost and half the work. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

 

[FLmomof2]

cool! I just thought since we were inviting 10 of the same people it would work out. You are all definitely making me think it will be a good thing!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I did this one year with one of my neighbors. My DS was turning 4 and her DD was turning 5. Their birthdays are in April so we did a huge Easter egg hunt around my yard and the community playground (since we invited all of the neighborhood kids). She did half the eggs, I did the other half. We both had a cake and she did the girl favors, I did the boys. It worked out great. The kids were able to invite more guests this way and everyone had a great time.

 

[bamor]

We did this! It worked out great and the parents were grateful to only have to attend one party. I took care of the girl favors, the other mom took care of the boys' favors. I took care of the food, the other mom the cake.
We invited the Kindergarten class to a bowling party and each girl got to invite a few additional friends. I would do it again, no hesitation.

 

[MinnieGi]

My own kids have birthdays a day apart, we have had many shared birthday parties. My own kids have been to quite a few shared birthday parties of friends sometimes siblings, sometimes friends. In fact they have one coming up next weekend. Both of my kids are invited to a sister/brother Pump It Up party.

Enjoy your shared party!

 

[kaywoody]

I did this when my daughter was turning 4. She had a Princess theme and our really good friend's son (they're only 3 days apart) had a Super Hero theme. We knew almost the same kids from church and preschool, so it was so easy. We did it at a really cool playground, and divided up everything. I made a white cake, and she did a chocolate so our guests could choose, and I did drinks for all the kids and she did drinks for all the adults. It worked out great and didn't tie up two weekends in a row!

 

[photographymom517]

I think its a great idea!!! With one party, you can share expenses for the food, decorations, cake, etc. Plus I think the kids would LOVE it!!! I personally love combined parties! I don't think anyone would have a problem with it & if they do, they probably just won't attend. But I really think most people will love the idea!

 

[acomasdiaz]

I think if you all can agree to it then it shouldn't be a problem for anyone else. If you all have the same vision and things ($) can be shared equally between the two families then it should work out nicely. Parents would have had to buy two gifts anyway if you had two separate parties, so that shouldn't make a difference to the invitees.

My daughter and my nephew share the same birthday but we have never had a joint party. Not because we worried about what the guests would think but because my sister and I have two very different visions for parties. I plan for months and spare no expense. My sister plans about two weeks before and doesn't do much. Actually, one year she even forgot to order a cake for her daughter's birthday party. So, we know that for us a shared party would never work. It would cause more problems than anything else.

From the sound of things, I think this would be a good option for you though.

 

[timzagain]

Not strange at all! We've done it before.

DD17 and her best friend's birthdays are a week apart. The best friend suggested a joint 18th birthday party - they attend the same school, have several friends in common etc. It would certainly be a huge saving if we share the cost with the best friend's family!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Glad to see others have done this. I had my older two kids "share" a party last year, but I think it's different when it's siblings. A neighbor and friend just approached me about sharing a party for our soon-to-be 7-year-olds this year. They are in the same class, have the same friends etc. I thought it sounded like a perfect idea! The boys were excited about it, and as long as they can agree on a party place, we'll go for it.

Good luck with your party plans!