First party with DS

[Potatoaddict]

Hi, our DS (3) who we've had 6 months has been invited to a 4th birthday party with a new friend from nursery - this is just an amazing thing in itself. However not having any older children and never having been to a child's party before I have no idea what to expect, it's at a gym thing. Do I stay? What do I spend on a present?
I feel really silly asking non adopty people about this as they've just given me weird looks and then not given me anything useful. I don't think they get how exciting this is for us and how big a deal it is for us and our DS who hasn't been to a "big boy party" before.
Hope that makes sense, any advice on how to get through it would be great.
Thanks.

It's not until next week, thanks for asking, I was a bit eager in my prep!
Will let you know how we get on.

Potatoaddict hope it goes well.

Big boys parties will be a very new experience for lots of the children aged 3/4. It will be the first set of "proper parties" that they will be old enough to anticipate and remember. So you won't be the only parent and child working your way through a new social experience.
I hope you both have a lovely time.

I used to write DS's name and he just added a kiss or a "picture" - really no-one cares.

I still have photos of DS at his first party. I can't put my finger on why it felt so important to me but it seemed like a normal parent thing to do - I loved it!

DS has spent his share of birthday parties on my lap watching from the sidelines. Don't stress about it and yes good idea to prep about child opens presents not him and also that sometimes they take present home to open so there may not be an opening at all.

Sorry for the delay in replying.
The party went well.
We did as suggested and prepared him, I even got him some new "jumping party shorts" to prevent any meltdown on what to wear as there was a dress code in the gym.
He spent the first 10 minutes clinging to my leg by the door (this was actually quite nice as it meant he saw me as a secure base in a strange way). After that he joined in all the activities and didn't need me again until food time (the time breakdowns were great - thanks).
Also the parents were really chatty and it was so nice to spend time with other parents of 3/4 yr olds.
We did have a big meltdown the next day which I think is related, but he really had a good time.
Thank you so much for all the advice, it really made a big difference.

Yeah!! So pleased it went well & all sounds very normal party behaviour with the meltdown as it's so much excitement & emotion & they don't really know how to express it when they're so little. Thanks for the update!