Birthday parties - winter born / joint parties

[christmasgeek]

My children are both winter born, beginning of December & end of January.

DS2 (December) started reception this year, and despite already discussing many times and deciding together that he would have a day out this year instead of a party, he's now announced he would really love a party with his friends. I think this is because all the party invites have started pouring in...

DS1 is in y3 and would love a party, but is equally happy with a family day out instead.

I've started to think about the possibility of a joint party instead, in December (January would be too far away from his birthday, but DS2 wouldn't mind it in December). It would have to be a church hall type party with a bouncy castle and activities we would provide - we can't stretch to anything else this year.

Can joint parties work for these 2 age groups? (They do know a lot of the same children, same school, play together before school etc)

Honestly, I'd rather just stick with the day out as he was so looking forward to it, and the chances of finding somewhere in December to be able to hold it are slim, but I think I need to explore these options.

Also, just to add, they are very close to each other, and whilst I haven't mentioned this idea to them, knowing them I think they would love it, it's just if it would actually work!

Hell no, joint parties suck and only benefit the parent. Why can't you have it at home the old fashioned way? Musical statues, Pass the parcel, treasure hunt, etc? Just add ten friends for two hours.

If my kids got invited to a december party now we would have to decline as pretty much every weekend is booked up for us now in December. Might be worth thinking about that too.

I'd start contacting local halls now to check availability before mentioning it to them, my child's birthday is the last week of November and when I booked a couple of months ago a lot of the obvious choices to hold a party (village halls, church halls, function rooms) were booked for Christmas events.

Unfortunately, having it at home isn't an option as we are having work done on the house. I wish we could have it at home, but just not practical this year.

This is one of my thoughts too, that In reality, we only have 1 weekend free in December ourselves and I'm sure a lot of others are in the same boat!

Looks like it's back to the drawing board...

Thanks folks, the more I've thought about it, i know a joint party would work for our boys, however not at the time of year, so I'll scrap the idea and try and convince him the original plan is the best one!

My DC both have December bdays and are 4 years apart. We have never had issues with people coming to parties and have had some amazing ones.
when they were 4 and 8 we had a joint one in a hall with an inflatable obstacle course, balloon animals (or swords) and face painting.
It was absolutely brilliant

My boy is having a party in December and his closest friends are given a save the date due to it being a busy month. Most have said yes and are free so all good.

Do you have a class Whatsapp group? Maybe send a message round asking who would be free on the date you're planning in December?

If only say 6-12 can attend, rather than the whole class of 30, could you look at other options to hall/bouncy castle? For example, soft play or do a Christmas craft party with gingerbread men to decorate and Christmas bags to colour in (the works have them for £1). In my experience, kids are generally as happy with a party with 6 children as with 30.

Have a party! I’ve got a December baby, it’s fine people will come, especially if it’s a joint one.