Birthday Party Questions

Okay, well I just had to cancel an RSVP for my son to go to a party because it is today at 2. My husband is out of work right now, but thank God has an interview and I am at work. We are using family to watch the kids for the time between when he leaves and I get home. So go with Saturday if you want more people to come :).

As far as gifts...we always open them, if time allows. We have switched to having parties at places because they end up being cheaper and easier for us. Our boys had a joint bowling party this past March and the time got away from us. There were 18 kids plus parents...we did an hour of bowling, and then giving out the pizza and soda and cake, we hit the end of our time limit...and the boys enjoyed opening the gifts at home more. But at my daughters party at a Pottery Place, they kept us on a good time schedule and we did the paiting, the cake, and had time for gifts after. We hit our two hour mark on the dot, but we had time for it. So I think if you have time for it, go for it! :o). Some kids like to see their friends open the things they picked for them.

I have friends with kids who have issues different from the norm too and I am aware of them so when I go to the party for them I am their to celebrate that child, with needs and all, it is about him and nothing else. I hope others feel the same way that I would not be offended if I was told that due to the over stim we will open the presents at another time. I thank you all in advance for your generosity and I am sure he will love them all.

I have never gone to one that did not open the gift infront of everone. Most people love seeing the kids responce so you could take a pic with every gift and mail it with the thank you cards so everyone sees the expression on his face, but me It is whatever works for him. That would not be necessary.

As far as the time of day It is hard to say I get good attendence with anything afternoon. The more kids the more time to get ready. I start getting ready at 9 am for a party at 1 so, if the party was at 10 I would have to start at 6, diaper bags, eggless cupcakes, present wrapping, kids bathing and dressing, shower for mom, ect...

I think in the 2 hours you are planning you have plenty to do. I normally see parties 3 hours, by the time the kids play then eat, but you are also not to gift opening so you might not need it, and everyone is always late by at least 15-30 min.

To recap, I would not be offended at all. It is not about them it is about him.

We do not open presents at our own kids' parties & they are not opened at the parties we go to (I have a 4 yr. old & 1 yr. old). It would just be too chaotic, other kids will rip open the presents, you won't know who gave what. So, open them in private later. I find weekday parties have a better attendance (if most kids' attending have stay-at-home moms). If you are inviting kids of "working" moms, I would do it on a weekend. 2-2.5 hours is okay.

I get the special circumstances, You asked for opinions and this is mine, I think the kids should open the presents and if you are inviting soo many people that opening the gifts would be overwhelming then the WHOLE party is probably going to be overwhelming. 10 kids is a resonable amount for someone without special needs, you know your son best, Is there a happy medium, like opening them as the kids arrive?? or pulling a few kids at a time and having him open theirs while the other;s play.

I would do afternoon with just cake and icecream, Sat if you have working parents, Friday woudl be great if they are SAHM.

i hope you and your son have a wonderful time. Moon jump sounds awesome!!

Plan the party whatever way you feel will be most enjoyable for your son. It's HIS day! Personally, I would rather serve pizza at the 10-12 (early lunch) time than the 2-4 time. I would only do cake/ice cream if it is mid afternoon. If you think gift opening in front of everyone is too much for him, don't do it. People shouldn't expect all parties will go the same way. 2 hours should be plenty, have a few other playthings, like bubbles, chalk, balls, etc, and I think the kids will be plenty entertained.

As a mom to one Aspie, I think that it's reasonable to save the gift opening for later - and maybe you can take a photo of your son opening each gift to send with the thank you notes.
If you think that it'd be good to have a few other activities besides the bouncy, bubble jars/wands, sidewalk chalk, beach balls, and a few big empty cardboard boxes for kids to play box forts with (and decorate with the chalk) are all simple and inexpensive activities that most kids enjoy.

Morning on the weekend is better. They will love the moon bounce but you could have bubbles and balls to play with too.
I have NEVER opened presents at any of my kids parties and I have never been to a party in the last 5 years where the kid opened the presents. No child under 5 wants to watch their friend open great gifts that they don't get to play with. You will also have trouble keeping track of who got what if you do this.
People will be 10 minutes late. Let them play for an hour-ish. Pizza for 10-15 minutes. Play again. Then cake and then BYE-BYE.

Hi Acadia-
I'm from Sunny California!! I recently had my son's 4th B-Day party 2 weeks ago and I had hamburgers/ hot dogs, capri sun juices, bottled water, watermelon, catelope, chips and dip.

I also had a Batman Jumper which they got tired of after a while. A pinata which they LOVED!!! My party was from 1pm to 4pm and I didn't open presents until everyone left the party. It just gets too crazy with all the kids wanting to open them too with the birthday boy/girl!! WAIT UNTIL EVERYONE LEAVES!!!.