What (dc) birthday party option would you do if you were me?

[OtherCoraline]

We did a joint party for our DC last year in a venue with games, hosts, bouncy castle etc. Our DC are 2 years apart but birthdays are within two weeks of each other. DH thinks that they had one last year so doesn't feel the need to do another this year. I would like to but I don't know if it's the norm to do one every year? All in costs last year were around £500. There were about 50 kids (roughly 25 each). If you were me/us, would you:

1. joint party again in a venue like a trampoline/inflatable centre with say 5/6 friends each.

2. take them both and a friend each into town to bowling/McDonald's. Would need to take them all on a train into town.

3. just do presents and cake and take them somewhere on the weekend like soft play or cinema (would be individual trips for this one).

4. do a very small gathering after school on their individual birthdays. Would need to be a max of four friends as it's a tiny two bedroom with small living/dining room.

Do you do a birthday party every year?

It depends on how easily you can afford it and what they prefer. I do a party every year I can as they are only young once. But it will be within a budget and won’t always be a huge hall with entertainment and friends.
We did a big party last year so this year will be smaller and maybe a few friends

How old are they and what would they prefer? Mine are also two years and 2 weeks apart and we did different things including most of your choices over the years, some joint some separate.

It depends on what your children like, my eldest doesn’t do parties he just like to get a take away and go on a day out such as a theme park just us as a family. My youngest loves a party so we do one every other year. Ask your children which option they would like.

How old are they? We’ve followed a pattern of big party for age 5 then smaller parties such as bowling, trampoline park etc with their closer friendship circle as they get older from there but costs have probably stayed the same

How old are they?

Depends on their ages and their preferences. But generally I think most kids would prefer a small party every year to a big one every other year.

Ours varied. Sometimes cheap, sometimes a splurge. It depended on what sort of thing they were into at the time. Looking back (as mine are now teens), the expensive entertainers don’t figure in their favourite party memories.

I did my eldest a party when he was 6 as they missed out on parties etc in reception due to Covid. And then since then we have just had a family day out for his birthday, this year we are going to legoland. I don’t want to spend hundreds on hosting parties, I would rather spend the time with the children doing nice things. He will probably have a play date at some point with a friend and do something too.

Mine have only ever had a couple of ‘big’ parties when in primary school. Now both secondary school age, we do an activity and then food at the weekend near their birthday and on their actual birthday just a tea party at home with family popping in and out

@boulevardofbrokendreamss @Adhikv they will be 8&6 on their birthdays.

I would let them choose between options two and four and also allow them to choose different options to one another. I definitely wouldn‘t do huge parties two years running because after that going back to something smaller feels like a loss.
My two also have their birthdays in the same month and we did a big joint party in a venue two years ago. I think they and their guests actually enjoyed the ones we did this year much more (homemade treasure hunt for one and football watching with a couple of friends at home).

I would let them choose what they want (within budget). It's their birthday.

I would ask them if they'd prefer to have a party this year or go with just the family to say Alton Towers or Legoland as a treat instead.

Dd had many different parties and her, and my, favourites were the cheap and cheerful ones with old fashioned party games and just about 5 friends.

I do a party every year. Similar price. 8 year old turning 9 this summer. Definitely having a party again!

I do a party every year. Similar price. 8 year old turning 9 this summer. Definitely having a party again!

Mine are 3 years 7 days apart, they had their first joint party (softplay) this year. They're 6 and 3. BUT - the thing they're both still harping on about is the mini halloween party I threw them at home last year with a few joint friends. Just pass the pumpkin, music, dress up, party food and whatnot. They enjoyed it much more than the expensive softplay where we all caught noro. I'm thinking something small next year too now for their birthdays.

We did a celebration each year, but not necessarily a party.

A treat with a few or one friend is also popular.