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Invitations, 'No presents' and party bags

8 replies

youmaycallmeSSP · 20/01/2013 18:47

DS is 3 next month and has asked for a bouncy castle party with his friends. Fine. This is the first children's party I've organised and I could use some guidance:

  • How far in advance should I send out invitations?
  • I'd really like to put something about not bringing presents on the invitations. Any suggestions on how to word it so that it's clear but nice? Would 'Please don't bring a present, DS would just love your company' do?
  • I've ordered some large paper bags to use as party bags and was planning on just putting a slice of birthday cakes, a book and some bubbles in them. Will that do?


Anything else I should bear in mind?

Thank you :)
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frazzledbutcalm · 21/01/2013 11:38

Invitations - 2 weeks beforehand.
Presents - Why don't you want your DS to receive presents from his friends?
Party Bags - Entirely your choice as to what you put in. I generally put a few sweets, cake, pencil and rubber or similar. I've been to parties where we've received bags FULL of sweets. Others had no sweets, just gifts. Others had what I would call a good balance. I'd say whatever YOU feel happy with is what you should do.

(re the present thing - the children invited to the party often have fun choosing something for their friend, remember the fun is in the giving not just the receiving. Parents only spend what they can afford so no worries there. I've had some come to my parties and only brought a card - that's fine by us, as you say dc just want to see their friends. )

Smile

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SavoyCabbage · 21/01/2013 11:41

The party bags sound fine.

I don't really like the no present thing. Its a bit joyless and I think it's hard for the giver to understand and it's a part of our culture to give presents to people on their birthday.

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youmaycallmeSSP · 21/01/2013 12:24

Thanks.

I'm trying to avoid being joyless but I'm struggling :) Both DH and I have large extended families and DS is the first grandchild so he gets showered with gifts throughout the year, while occasions like Christmases and birthdays are overwhelming with the number of presents he receives. He has more toys than he knows what to do with, all the craft stuff he could ever need and more clothes than me. I ended up taking some if his Christmas presents to a charity shop because we didn't have space for them and he wouldn't use them. That was after a big pre-Christmas clear-out. I think I might cry if I see another present! If there's no way to avoid it though then I'll leave it.

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Ragwort · 21/01/2013 12:29

There was a huge thread on the 'no presents' thing last week, I think it is entirely sensible not to ask for presents; most children have far, far too much anyway.

Party bag idea sounds just right - please don't go overboard, most parents hate the tat stuff that comes back in party bags.

Invitations at least two weeks, bear in mind that a lot of rude people don't bother to RSVP.

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Ragwort · 21/01/2013 12:31
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EmpressOfThePuddle · 21/01/2013 12:38

Many parents are crap at replying so maybe leave a crucial detail (location, time) off the invitation so that if they want to come they have to get in touch.

Also think about the possibiity of siblings turning up. Not just whether you have extra food / party bags but would six-year-olds, for example, be aloud on the bouncy castle with the little ones?

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EmpressOfThePuddle · 21/01/2013 12:40

Grrr. Allowed, even. I'm quite sure they'd be aloud.

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youmaycallmeSSP · 23/01/2013 18:24

Thanks for the link and ideas. I had considered older siblings but what is generally done? My hazy idea is if they turn up then ok but I'm only doing party bags for invitees.

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