... To be annoyed at parents organising parties for the last week in January

[Everexpanding]

Is it not a truth universally acknowledged that the vast majority of people are super skint the last week in January, could you wait one more week to organise your child's party, four invites received this week for this weekend arghhh small school everyone knows when parties are on, just enough for food seriously can't stretch to four presents, everything broke this month super screwed

My kids would love a box of maltesers, I think that's a brilliant suggestion.

Wilkos has really cheap craft stuff which is great for presents if you want to avoid chocolate.

I hope February is an easier month for you, op. Good luck.

I'm so sorry you are having such a tough time. Sounds like 4 invites have been the last straw! Hope things get better. Perhaps making little cakes to take or peppermint creams wrapped in wrapping paper and ribbon for the birthday child if you feel you have to take something? And a home made card? Or don't take anything and don't feel bad. You are clearly doing your best.

January does suck.
I'm delighted for all these people and their careful budgeting, but we get paid one week before xmas to last until the end of January.
I have xmas and 3 birthdays to pay for in January.
I spread it out as much as possible but it sucks.
for you!

Yabu. I get paid in the middle of the month. So not skint the last week of Jan. You can't expected parties to be scheduled to suit you.

Sorry OP I've not had time to read whole thread now there are 10 pages of it! It might have been suggested already (apologies ) but are you not able to recycle anything? I don't mean anything old or used but, for example my DS had years of being given lovely Lego sets, and jigsaws. He was never into lego etc and I would stick the boxes in his cupboard - then when we were caught short i would just wrap one for the party. Kids never open the presents on the day at these parties so your own kids won't know or drop you in it.

Kids want parties in January if that is when their birthday is, however the vast majority of parents won't want much in the way of presents as they will still be finding space for the Christmas ones.

I do sympathise but I have a low paid job yet have Father, nephew x2, MIL, SIL, DM and DH birthdays between mid December and mid Jan so I have to budget. They all expect good presents bemoaning the fact it near Christmas.

When my kids were small I just used to budget however were many in the class x£10 or whatever is now acceptable and tried to save over the year.

Hope all works out. It's a mine field out there, parents trying to out do each other isn't worth rising to.

I understand where you are coming from, I have received 4 invites within the last 2 weeks for 4 birthday parties from this weekend until end Jan, my child also goes to a small school, so a heads up before xmas would had been nice so I could prepare!!!

A lovely homemade "play date" cheque book might be a lovely thought?

I think you know YABU OP but equally you've been financially hammered and I read the thread as a slightly tongue in cheek ranty vent rather than a serious AIBU. I hope February goes easier for you...

Make the children some bright colour play dough with glitter in it

• always popular and very cheap to make - just flour and salt. wrap it in cling film and put it in coloured paper.

My DSis had her DD on Xmas Eve. She always had a birthday party for her on her birthday afternoon. My DSis was the most popular DM as everyone could run around doing all their last minute Xmas jobs. Some parents even begged for her to take their other kids! My DN had so many pressies over 48 hours that she got bored opening them. I used to have a half-birthday party for her on 24th June with my own DDs, friends and other DCs from other parts of the family and she had a whale of a time without the fuss of presents. sorry for thread hijack As others have said a homemade card and small token gift that costs pence is absolutely fine. The main thing is the kids have fun and to do that they need the adults to stop mythering about it all.

Sorry to hear things are so financially tight for you and hope things improve soon

My dd's birthday is on Christmas Eve AIBU to try and arrange a party in January? when her friends from school can actually attend. as their parents are always too busy to even manage a half hour after tea to come and have cake with her on her birthday, let alone to a party. she just turned 6 and even her two best friends from school, who had RSVP to come for birthday tea and cake didn't show up and I got text from the parent at 9pm on Xmas eve to say so busy they couldn't come. She was gutted, so I ask again AIBU to try and have a bday party for my 6 year old in January?

Sorry point of that was my dd just wants her friends there and she wouldn't care about not getting presents from anyone, its the company that is important just give a card x hope feb is better for you x jan sucks x

I like the idea of a 'half birthday' for January/December kids. The weather is better, everyone is happy.

YANBU. I say that as parent of a child with a birthday this week, i'm low on funds too so DC's party is in February instead .

I try to stockpile presents from the sales when I'm more flush.

Shadey my little sister is a Christmas Eve baby and I remember many birthdays spent crying as no one turned up to parties around the time or invites to pop in on the day . Mum learnt at around the same age as DD and did them in Jan

Yabu but sorry you skint. I'd get your child to make a card & explain to the mum you'll give a present in Feb or else just buy a box of sweets recycle something. Honestly not everyone gives a present at my kids birthdays some drop in after & some dont whatever I dont keep track!

YABU. Not their fault that you're broke.

Aside from Royalty and lottery winners. None of us are exactly rolling in the dough at this time of year.
However. The children aren't expecting the crown jewels, are they.
Just a few things from the pound shop will suffice

Cmon OP, kids want their party when their birthday is, which is why I spend every bloody 28th December throwing birthday parties.
My DDs birthday is the 26th, but no one can attend a Boxing Day party. By the time Xmas is done, then we've done her actual birthday, then the party on the 28th, I'm broke!

I have a birthday in January!
As a child I would generally go back to school on the date of my birthday.
As an adult everybody is on "dry January" or dieting so decline meals out with the usual "I hope you understand I'm eating healthily and not drinking it's just too much temptation", or the "I can't do anything this month as I'm a bit short from Christmas".
I don't acknowledge my birthday anymore.

Try putting a little extra aside at Christmas in case this happens again. These children cannot help when their birthdays are and will have enough disappointment to cope with later on.
YAB completely U.

My daughter's best friend has come to her party for the last two years and not brought a present. I am assuming it is because her parents are budgeting, not because they were thoughtless. We all would much rather have had her there with no gift than not at all so you could always go without bringing a present. I doubt anyone would question it.

Get a packet of broad bean seeds, share them out between 4, paint a yoghurt pot with kid's name on and bit of compost. Wrap individually in brown paper. Set you back about £3.00. Bet kids will enjoy that more than another mini lego kit?

Why would a child want a broad beans plant 😂😂😂