Birthday parties

[Mharhi]

Mine would have been happy to have one at home, but it seems to be the thing to have them out somewhere since starting school. I've juts been looking and it's around £150 for one to do arty things for up to 15 children, and £200 for a forest school type thingy for 10. About £80 for softplay..and on top of this have to get food as none is provided. We can't really have many children here as it's too small, and as it's not really warm enough yet to rely on the park weather. It's tricky isn't it, when they want to do what their friends are...

If they are happy to have a party at home, then have a party at home. If they want a more expensive one, then explain they don't get a big present because the party is their present.

village or church hall, party games and tea. not desperately expensive but bigger than home. Teenage wannabe DJs can be cheap for an afternoon in the village hall.

Did that last year, jointly with another family, we spent maybe 80 quid between us and hosted about 30 kids and a clutch of parents.

I have always done small parties at home OP...ds1 is 11 now...always suited us much better and found it more personal, never cared what others did in comparison...I liked not doing what everyone else was doing too, I think it's not necessarily a bad thing for your children to grow up realising that you don't all have to do everything like everyone else does. As long as there's cake, games, good pals and fun! When you were growing up OP did you ever have 30 at a party? Almost everyone I know has done this but it just seems a bit bonkers to me. Can your child really be "friends" with that many people, and does having that many there make the party better or just imperonal?

By "your" I mean "one's" by the way, not specifically yours

ones even

We do that you either have a party or a big present.

Dd1 doesn't like parties, dd2 loves them.

It is a lot of money, and we have found that a sort of fairway to do it.

Party at home is the only option mine get (girls, 9 and 4).

I much prefer at home parties or village hall parties. It's a lovely change from the soft play centre parties that most parents seem to opt for.

At least you have the choice of food at home. You don't (one doesn't) have to have chicken nuggets anyone who gives their children those needs their head to be examined. Sandwiches, small cakes and jelly are the sort of thing I like to see children having at their parteis.