can't afford a party this year what to do for birthday without upsetting school clique

[micramummy]

My dd is 6 in november, her primary school is really quite cliquey and the parties are getting ridiculous, I am a student nurse and just cant afford to do a party this year. I suggested she invite 5 girls to a little princess tea party at home and keep it small and cheap but she said her other friends will get upset......she is probably right, AND the bloody parents!

she is an only child and thrives on having friends over but how do you do this?

He is 6 - he doesn't need sleepovers.

He can have them at the grandparents for now.

Neither of my DC's have ever had a party - not in the Laser/bowling/soft play/hall etc..sense. I am just simply unable to afford it on my own.

We always have "Birthday Teas" at home instead. Both DC's have a group of around 5 firm friends each who they have each been with since nursery and I let them choose who they wish to invite and we print out invitations.

As my DS is older, he has had a few "Birthday Sleepovers" if his birthday falls on a weekend - One year I had 6 of his friends to stay all weekend - it was great fun! I even cooked them all a Sunday roast!

My DD chose to invite 3 of her friends to her last "Birthday Tea" - one of her other friends came up to me on the day to ask if she could come too and I just said politely "not tonight, but you can come to tea next week". She was happy with that and came to tea the next week.

I find parents who get sniffy about parties frustrating and annoying - though luckily all the parents in my DC's school seem pretty laid back about it all - I have noticed there has been a lot of home parties this year though!

xxx

Do you have an odeon cinema near you?

Some do childrens matinees on a weekend for £1 per child. (Maybe other cinemas also do)

Your dd can invite 5 friends to the cinema, you provide a hot dog and a drink and some popcorn. Party bag will be a piece of cake, or a muffin in a bag, if you think you need or want a party bag.

re the fudge / fairy cakes - why not have 2 friends round to make said cakes and call it a cooking party?
buy paper chef's hats they can decorate themselves
take those and the cakes home - done.