To do pizza and a film for dd's next birthday?

[Rattusn]

We went to the effort of hiring a lovely space, doing loads of food, plenty of games organised etc this year, and nearly half of those who had RSVP'ed as coming didn't turn up (and didn't say anything). The space felt empty, and I was rather annoyed I had made so much effort, for people who were too rude to say they couldn't make it.

Next year I've told dd we are doing a small party for about 5 friends at home. She had asked for pizza and to watch a film together. Would this be acceptable? It would make me far less stressed about the lack of RSVPs, as I could just order pizza once the children arrive.

[KC225]

Sounds like a good one, especially if it's what she wants.

[Squeegle]

Sounds lovely. Can't think of any reason why you might BU

[ZazieCats]

Hmm, add ice-cream and YANBU.

No ice-cream=YABVU

Happy Birthday in advance for your daughter .

[firawla]

Sounds fine! I prefer doing for just a few closer friends, it's easier and it makes more sense anyway, especially as they get older, as those are the ones they play with most anyway rather than the whole class. If she's happy with that I'd definitely go for it

[seminakedinsomebodyelsesroom]

Absolutely fine. How old is she? I think as they get older and are more likely to have a more defined group of friends, smaller parties are completely acceptable.

[Leeds2]

Sounds fine! My DD went to loads of parties just like that.

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

of course! I have never done an all class party for this reason. fuckers!

[NorbertDentressangle]

Great idea.

Also why not get some reusable popcorn boxes (I've seen them in Home Bargains and £shop type places) - they can use them whilst watching the film and then take them home with a bag of popcorn and piece of birthday cake instead of a party bag

[Rattusn]

We can definitely stretch to pop corn and ice cream! If the kids don't turn up I can just eat it

I was wondering if it would bu as parents might expect more from parties. At the moment, most are big occasions. She will be 7, so many best friends. I'll probably agree to inviting 8-10 of her best friends, on the basis that only about 5 will be able to make it.

[TathitiPete]

I was wondering if it would bu as parents might expect more from parties

Let them expect away, do what suits you and your family. Sounds like a great plan to me.

[VioletBam]

Who cares what others expect!? Mine would have loved that at this age. One of the best parties for my DD when she was 6 was her friend who just had 4 kids round to his house for a traditional birthday tea and then they played.

They didn't even do party games...they just played in his playroom but it was great for them...they had cake and a party bag each but it just goes to show that all the fuss in the world won't make them have a good time.

[Whathaveilost]

We did this fot both our sons' from the age of 7 to about 14.other kids in the class did the same rhing.
The boys usually invited 3 or 4 close friends. It worked fine. Film and then pizza hut then home.

[milkshakeandmonstermunch]

I was wondering if it would bu as parents might expect more from parties

The only thing I'd expect from a party is that the kids - especially the birthday child - has a good time. Other children + food = good time.

[Rattusn]

Wow, this seems like a pretty unanimous response, thank you.

Dd will need to settle for a small party next year. No more stress for me, hurrah!

[confusedofengland]

Sounds good but if you want something that feels a bit more fancy but is still relatively cheap & also means your home doesn't get messed up, you could try what we did last year. We took DS plus 5 friends to the Kids' Club movie at our local cinema, tickets £2.50 each. Then McDonald's Happy Meal (I think £2.50 each?). I also provided each child with a cartoon lunch box from Poundland, a carton of drink, mini bag of popcorn, fun size pack of sweets & little box of raisins, total cost about £2 each, this was in place of a party bag & was to eat at the cinema. Lots of parents have said what a great idea it was & that they will do the same next time!

[FeelingSmurfy]

I wouldn't invite extra thinking some will drop out, you will have less drop outs with a small party like this because you are more likely to invite really close friends

You could buy pizza bases and let them make their own, or ready made plain pizzas and let them add topping

Ice cream could be fancied up with an ice cream Sundae bar. Scoops into each bowl then let them loose with different sauces, squirty cream, strawberries, hundreds and thousands, sweets...

[Rattusn]

confused that sounds like a good idea. If the parents are able to drop and collect from our local mall I will run by dh.

feeling That's a good point, but I'm so used to people flaking out, that I don't want dd to be disappointed if only a couple of friends come. She is a really social child, and has lots of best friends.

[BoboBunnyH0p]

Sounds fine. I've done this on 2 occasions for my DD they loved it. I got some glitter tattoos and painted their nails as well.

[biscuitbadger]

Pizza and a film sounds great, my 7 year old dad would be very happy to be invited to such a party!

[biscuitbadger]

dd not dad!

[Joolsy]

Sounds good but from my experience kids around that age (infact pretty much any age!) won't sit still long enough to watch a film if there's a group of them, unless it's at the cinema. I'd also do some party games. We went to Pizza Hut for my DD's birthday and they were fantastic and the kids' meals were a bargain. We stayed for 2 hours as well as they get 3 courses and unlimited drinks.

[Rattusn]

I appreciate the feedback Joolsy. I thought of pizza hit, but didn't think there was one near. On a search of their website, there is in fact one very near her school. It sounds like a good option. Do they allow you to bring cake?

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

I would agree withJoolsy , when we did dvd, some of them got bored and messed around and so others got cross because they were spoiling film. Other than that, absolutely do something small. We still do games/activities but just a few children. Think that the easiest low stress one was using be my bear kits. Think that they were sale or return too. Could do that and decorate own pizza or a few party games.

[BrianMolkoismyPlacebo]

How many did you invite?
My ds is 7, and has always been happy with a small party at home.
For past 3 years, when I've asked him who he'd like to invite he has suggested no more than 4 friends.
He's happy, I'm happy... and so is my wallet!

[Rattusn]

Brian dd is rather a party animal. She requested we invite her entire class, plus friends from her other class, and friends from outside of school. Overall we must have invited about 40-50. 22 RSVP'ed as coming, 2 de RSVP'ed on the day, and a further 8 didn't turn up, and didn't say anything. I'm done with big parties!