Birthday Party Poll--when Should We Celebrate? --Edit

Updated on August 13, 2011
N.J. asks from Redlands, CA
9 answers

I'm sorry gals--I really didn't proof read, I was trying to hurry up and get it posted before my hubby was done putting the kids down for the night.I'm not worried about planning for my 2 yr old's birthday--his is in Sept.

I was just saying in planning his birthday (which is 10 x easier than my first's), I starting thinking about planning my oldest's 4th birthday (maybe more stressing than thinking actually). His Birthday is the 28th of Dec. and up until this year we have just been celebrating with my immediate family which includes his two older cousins and grandparents. With preschool and my Mama's group we've met quiet a few other kids his age but he really doesn't grasp the whole birthday party thing (other than he loves to blow out candles and sing happy birthday) !

With that said I was thinking of doing a bounce house type of party for his birthday this year--but have no idea when to do it. Obviously if I did it near his actual birthday I'm sure no one would really show up except for the family, so what was the point? If I wait until January I would think everyone would be ready to just relax and the thought of another party would be overwhelming? If I do it earlier in the month lets say the 2nd week of Dec., do you think people would show up?

Or should I just pretty much not plan on doing a 'friends' birthday party, until he's older and has more intimate friends where I can take them boarding, bowling or whatever boys like to do and maybe just see if we can do something at preschool this year? I'm so oblivious to this whole party thing. I hated any type of party, birthday or otherwise, and I loved the fact that Birthday was the 27th of Dec. I really never had to worry about that many people showing up or even having a party.

Thoughts? I'm all for just keeping in the family too? I am just feeling slightly pressured by my MIL to do something more than what we've been doing. Like I'm doing some big injustice by not having his 'friends' over for party. In my opinion, the expectations of what a birthday party is has totally changed these days too, and I don't think my MIL really grasped that yet either (or maybe its just my perception correct me if I'm wrong please) !

Any suggestion of when I should celebrate his birthday with his friends, or any other ideas outside of the formal party type thing? I don't want to be a party pooper, bu also don't want to go out of my way planning for something where only a couple people show up?

TIA

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Featured Answers

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

My 16 yr old daughters bday is 12/27. We've always had her party on her bday. I've never had an issue with friends coming. 2 days after Christmas... Many parents welcome the break.

We've done bounce house at home, planet pizza, country club catered with DJ, limo party with friends with dinner and sleepover at hotel.

Have fun!

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

A.H.

answers from Portland on

If you are worried about people showing put then do it at around January 5th so it's only a week after, but most people stick around town. Maybe ask if they would come and find out that way what to do. My 2 1/2 yr old has grasped birthday parties lmao she loves them. It's individualistic in my opinion, not age. For him it could be a play date with cake, presents, and candles that is great. I think if you ask around as a what if scenario like "we are thinking about getting a bouncy house for "name's" birthday and his birthday is December 28th, do you go out of town for the holidays? I'm trying to figure out when to do his birthday party" My friends wouldn't feel weird being asked that.

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son's birthday is December 25 so we do a 'friends' party at his half birthday. That way we can do a pool party at our house and not have to do it at a birthday place. And the weather is (obviously) so much better.

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J.L.

answers from Toledo on

my son's birthday is 12/21 - we do his party the first sunday in december. that is before the kick off to holiday parties. then on his actual birthday we go somewhere fun like chuck e cheese with just our immediate family and a close family friend. he will be 4 this year and starting preschool so i am going to try to have a party for some school friends during the week during dinner time. people still have to eat right?

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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

I say go in Mid January like 2nd week for a party if you feel the need to have one with friends. My nieces bday is 12/31 & that's what she does

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J.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I have a two year old and a one year old and I must tell you, neither of them even vaguely understands the concept of birthday lol. For both of my sons' special days we've just kept it simple....immediate family, cupcake for the babies, small cake for everyone else, a present or two, and lots of pictures. My boys had more fun eating their own cupcakes than anything else (both of them were freaked out by the candle lol). The pictures came out really cute. Trust me, you will have plenty of time to plan extravagant birthday parties when they are older...enjoy the simple days while you can.

1 mom found this helpful

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

I am a late December baby. My grandfather was born on Christmas Day and so the tree and all was up for 'his' birthday.
When I was twelve I moved my party back an extra week and that went better. Once I became an adult and found out about Solstice I made it on Solstice including a few Solstice games.
My first daughter was born in January. We found that kids were willing to come to a party a couple of weeks after New Years. We went to movies, we had house parties and for a few years living in California we could do anything for her birthday celebration. The weather was usually good.

L.A.

answers from Austin on

At the age of 2 he will like a cake with candles and a few gifts.. anything else you do he will not remember it will really be more for the adults and older children..

If you feel like you wan to deal with the party.. have the bounce house and invite a few kids..

The rule is usually 1 more than the age your child will be.. so invite 3 friends.

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

I completely agree w/ Momof4, by the 2nd week of January I am back to normal (out of the Christmas mindset) and would probably look forward to something fun to do.
I get the holiday blahs pretty bad. :(
HTH!
Happy planning!

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