Birthday Parties

[Thirteen]

And they're off! ILs left around 6pm, and our routine has some semblance of normalcy again.

It was fun, but very busy.

Bean turns 1 on Tuesday. Time to reminisce about my sweet newborn, and cry a little.
It is so bittersweet to watch them grow.


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[Chrisada]

I'm one of the only moms around here who doesn't rent out some place, starting at one, for their child's birthday. It's our immediate family and grandparents at our tiny kitchen table. I have a five year old and a three year old. I had a friend spend $4,000 for her 9 yr olds birthday party and he complained about the candy. I told her she will eventually have to rent out a private island to appease the kid.

[BonBon]

I had a friend spend $4,000 for her 9 yr olds birthday party and he complained about the candy. I told her she will eventually have to rent out a private island to appease the kid.

Seriously!! And holy crap my freaking WEDDING was 5k.

[Chrisada]

Seriously!! And holy crap my freaking WEDDING was 5k.

Yup, and the 2 yr old had a three tier custom made cake and catered spread. I don't get it. I guess we may start inviting close friends over once they hit school. I love how a good friend had her son's 5th birthday party at the park and told us not to bring gifts. It was close friends with a simple pinata and some pizza and Capri Suns.

[Ladybug]

The best thing I've seen is a "exchange" in lieu of gifts when they're young. This one family did a beach towel exchange and a sunglasses exchange another year. Each kid brings one item and then draws a number or swaps it for another. Everyone gets to leave with a gift and the host isnt stuck with lots of gifts.

Our best birthday party was a pajama jam when L turned 7. Everyone came in their pajamas and we had breakfast for lunch (waffles, sausage, fruit), cinnamon rolls for cake and danced with balloons like maniacs. Simple and fun.

[moonlight]

I started planning DD's 3rd birthday party today. Well, my best friend gave me the idea and I'm doing what she suggested. haha! It's going to be a American Girl doll themed tea party. We bought her a Bitty Baby in DC this summer. It felt wrong to just give it to a 2 yr old for no special occasion. So why not make a party of it? There is a family friendly Coffee shop close by does reservations for their private room for free. I just need little tea cups, cake, American Girl decorations from Michael's, and a couple snack items (finger sandwiches, strawberry and cream, petifores). I'm inviting only 5 kids, can't deal with any more.

My friend suggested the guests could bring their own doll. We have a couple friends that are boys. What do I do about the boys? Not do the bring-a-doll part and make sure they have little boy gift bags? I don't know at what age boys start to care about that sort of thing.

[scrub-jay]

I started planning DD's 3rd birthday party today. Well, my best friend gave me the idea and I'm doing what she suggested. haha! It's going to be a American Girl doll themed tea party. We bought her a Bitty Baby in DC this summer. It felt wrong to just give it to a 2 yr old for no special occasion. So why not make a party of it? There is a family friendly Coffee shop close by does reservations for their private room for free. I just need little tea cups, cake, American Girl decorations from Michael's, and a couple snack items (finger sandwiches, strawberry and cream, petifores). I'm inviting only 5 kids, can't deal with any more.

My friend suggested the guests could bring their own doll. We have a couple friends that are boys. What do I do about the boys? Not do the bring-a-doll part and make sure they have little boy gift bags? I don't know at what age boys start to care about that sort of thing.

What about "doll or favorite toy" ??

[MrsK]

So cute! K1 would probably bring a teddy bear/doll/dinosaur. He's starting to play pretend with dolls - sitting them at the table and serving meals. Mostly that's when K2 is not available to play and I think he's much prefer to destroy something ("plane crash" is a frequent pretend game here, ugh!) but I don't think 2-3yo boys would be totally opposed.

Ever since the party we had for K2, K1 has been planning his party. First, he wanted an Oscar the Grouch party where we eat dirt cupcakes and sing "Lousy Birthday to You". Now he's talking about a "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" party -- I'm thinking a bounce house and banana splits? Could I pull that off in December in KS? At what point do I just commit to a theme? The grandparents are already asking me to set a date and I'm reluctant for fear of having to reserve a party room near the holidays if it's too cold to have the party in our yard.

[moonlight]

OMG MrsK! I love the 5 little monkey jumping on the bed party idea!! You could find cute little monkey shirts for the boys... oh what fun!

Thanks for the tips so far. I think stuffed animals or a toy is a much better idea for the boys. I like that!