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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To consider only having a playdate party for DS's 4th birthday?

19 replies

CreatureRetorts · 31/07/2013 20:07

Ds will be 4 in a couple of months. We've never had a party with his friends before, just family, but have been to plenty of big parties - complete with 30 screaming kids and an entertainer.

Anyway I'm thinking of just having a handful of his friends over for a play and tea, just a 1.5/2 hour thing...

Is this mean? Yes my home will end up trashed but I can tidy up afterwards

OP posts:

holidaybug · 31/07/2013 20:12

YANBU - there will be pressure soon enough to invite everyone when he starts school. We did small at home parties until school started.

soverylucky · 31/07/2013 20:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

formicadinosaur · 31/07/2013 20:15

Sounds much more preferable from every ones point if view. The cram em in 30+ parties tend to be the least enjoyable.

IceNoSlice · 31/07/2013 20:18

So long as there is cake, everyone will be happy

Squitten · 31/07/2013 20:18

YANBU. Massive parties are my idea of hell. For our DS' upcoming 5th we're just inviting a handful of kids round here for a few hours

Maryann1975 · 31/07/2013 20:20

These are my favourite types of parties. I wish we could go back to those days of just a couple of friends, a play, a party tea, a couple of games and a slice of cake. I now don't really know any of ds friends parents and he was desperate to have his last party at the soft play place, so we went there. Enjoy your traditional party. Plenty of time for bigger gatherings if that's what you and your dc want in a couple of years.

kinkyfuckery · 31/07/2013 20:20

YANBU, where the hell did the expectation for a giant party come from for kids birthdays anyway??

DontmindifIdo · 31/07/2013 20:22

Be warned, I did this for ds's 3rd birthday, now one of his little friends asks where their party bag is after every play date at ours...

nannynewo · 31/07/2013 20:29

YANBU. My friends little girl did this on her 3rd and 4th birthdays and I am sure she will continue to do so for the next few years. She had a fab time because she could invite her closest friends and you get less mess/ organising and cost! And less tacky duplicate presents.

Original poster

CreatureRetorts · 31/07/2013 21:04

DontmindifIdo I hope not!

I think we'll go for something simple. I do remember my 5th birthday party though where mum did something low key and one girl wanted to put the tv on

But the idea of a big thing bring me out in a cold sweat (as well as my wallet!)

OP posts:

hamab · 31/07/2013 22:32

These are my favourite type of parties too. We've done big ones but the small ones at home have been much nicer. DC wasn't overwhelmed by people, we had a few games and some tea - all v relaxed and happy.

Gigondas · 31/07/2013 22:38

Yanbu- I did exactly this and worked well. Sadly cant get away without whole class now she is in school.

scottishmummy · 31/07/2013 22:42

Entirely up to you.How will you select who's invited
Are you prepared for the inevitable, but we invited you parental huff
Parties get v political,just so you're warned

Wbdn28 · 01/08/2013 00:30

YANBU

BuildMeUpButtercup · 01/08/2013 00:40

At the age of 4? Sounds like a lovely party.

goldenlula · 01/08/2013 00:40

For ds1's 4th birthday I did a party for about 12 children with party games at home. For ds2's 4th birthday we met up with friends at a park and had a picnic. They both worked fine.

chubbychipmonk · 01/08/2013 00:46

YANBU, sounds perfect.

Original poster

CreatureRetorts · 01/08/2013 07:36

scottishmummy - I'll just ask who ds would like to invite. Some of the kids would have left so I'm not worried about missing anyone out - but yes, I know (and hate!) the politics of kids parties.

OP posts:

xylem8 · 01/08/2013 10:05

No you are being very sensible

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