To have this for my ds party?

[AnotherManicMumday]

My ds is 6 at the end of November. For his party I'm thinking of inviting a few of his friends to some caverns locally where they see Father Christmas in a grotto in the cave, get a present, some cake and a drink then get to explore the cavern.
There's a few things I'm unsure about though...
Due to where it is, I wouldn't be able to provide party food.
Would parents mind their child seeing Father Christmas at the start of December and potentially without them there to see it?
I'd pay for the guests plus party bag but wibu to say if parents or siblings want to come along, they are welcome to but they pay for themselves? (£6.50ph)

[Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar]

Santa is everywhere in December. Why would parents have to “miss out” if they want the experience?
Take them yourself as well, the kids know full well it’s not the real Santa
Lots of kids have multiple visits.

[trancepants]

As someone with a December birthday I very, very often went to Christmas parties/events on my birthday and I absolutely loooooved it. It didn't bother me at all that other kids were also getting presents. It was still my special day and that it was wrapped up in Christmas only made it more amazing. I pitied all those kids with pointless non-Christmas birthdays. (though, tbf, that was a very rational feeling in the 70s and early 80s as there were fuck all toys for sale the other 11 months of the year and watching my cousins get clothing on their summer birthdays made me unbelievably grateful to have been born in December.)

That said it's a tricky one as plenty of parents would be sad to miss out on a Santa visit. I would probably offer to come along and 'help' you out. I actually would genuinely help but my real motivation would be entirely to experience the Christmas event with my DS. I'd be fine with paying whatever adult charge there is but that's easy for me as a single parent with an only child. A couple with more kids to consider muddies it up as it's harder to have them come along too.

But if it's the birthday treat that your DS wants, then it's his birthday and it doesn't hurt to ask the parents of the potential guests.

[Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar]

My kids would have loved that.

[SummerStrong]

*special (not survival!)

[SummerStrong]

We always did Santa visits with family (grandparents etc.) it was a survival family time, I don't think it's appropriate for a change kids birthday party.

[ApolloandDaphne]

My DD2 has her birthday mid December and I never muddied the water with including Christmas things in her birthday celebrations. When she was younger (she is 20 now) we didn't even put up the Christmas decorations or tree until after her birthday. I don't think this sounds like an appropriate event for a birthday at all. It will still be November. Choose something more appropriate for a birthday.

[TeddybearBaby]

@Asterado I have a December birthday and so does DS. I love incorporating Christmas into the celebrations with Christmas songs and themed sweets etc but I draw the line at other people getting a present on MY day 😂.

I don’t really see the need because of the time of year. I’ve always managed to do a ‘normal’ party for myself and my son. He’s had gaming, football, disco, cinema. Anything really! But I wouldn’t have a problem coming you what you have planned.

[itswinetime]

being born near Christmas myself i echo the pp suggestion to keep Christmas and birthdays separate otherwise it feels like you never get to celebrate the birthday. i can see why the kids would enjoy it but i would worry it would be seen more as a Christmas trip than a birthday thing. Sound lovely though

[JessicaJonesJacket]

Sorry OP but I wouldn't like it because we always see Santa as a family. Plus asking the parents puts them in the difficult position of denying their DC a party just because they have a Christmas tradition.

[TeenTimesTwo]

I think:
a) Some parents will mind. You only have to read threads here about how protective some people feel about their Christmas traditions
b) I think you should keep birthday and Christmas separate for the sake of your DS. Why should his birthday treat be seeing Father Christmas? That should be his Christmas treat.

[Lalliella]

My DCs would have absolutely loved that at that age, I would have seen it as a great idea. Can you confer with the parents of the kids you would invite?

[Allineedyoutodois]

Depends on the families, - a friend took our DC to a special santa thing as company for her only child, a whole half day, big production thing and we didn't care or take them again to santa so wouldn't mind but it's a really big deal for the peeps who like to do the whole experience or winter wonderland type thing.

[ShadowHuntress]

I wouldn’t mind this sounds like a lovely idea. My kids usually end up seeing about 5 Santa’s by the time Christmas is actually here! Just ask the parents first If it’s ok

[AnotherManicMumday]

The Christmas thing would be maybe 20 mins of the party then they'd get an hour or so in the cave and 30 mins for cake and to look round the visitor centre. My ds loves sharing and would love that his friends get a present too. I know most of the parents well enough to ask if it's ok before sending out invites so will probably do that and will make it clear parents are welcome to come along. Thanks everyone

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

It's a fab idea. However I think at the same time putting a Christmas focus on it sort of takes the shine of his Birthday.

[IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere]

It never occurred to me it could be a problem. My son's birthday is the week before Christmas. When he was 4 we had a party with tea and Father Christmas came with presents for everyone.

A few days later the same Father Christmas was roped in for the playgroup Christmas party. All the playgroup had been at the party. Father Christmas had an amazing memory for names and so instead of calling the children out for their presents he went round and delivered them. Even though FC was a close family member that we saw regularly my son had no idea at all.

[diddl]

Are the caverns doable without Santa?

[Wolfiefan]

I wouldn’t do a Christmas thing for a birthday.

[Asterado]

My birthday is close to Christmas. I would have been royally pissed off if my birthday activity was actually a Christmas activity.

Totally happy to accept I am and have always been an unreasonable child though

[Theg00dwife]

That sounds really lovely. They’ll have a great time.

[Strawberrymelon]

My ds would have been excited to do that for a friend's birthday at that age.

[TruffleShuffles]

My friend did this for her December birthday most years we all loved it and no parents had any issues at all. It was brilliant that we all got presents at someone else’s birthday!

[TwoOddSocks]

I'd be happy enough for my DS to go to this. If there is no food there make sure you make it clear in advance. There are some people who are very particular about their father christmas experiences though - one big visit a year with Grandma, aunty X and cousins etc with big photo shoot so they might not be happy.

[Hoppinggreen]

My dc both have birthdays close we to Christmas and I always differentiate the 2 so I would never had a Christmas themed party for them
Also, when my dc were the same age as yours we did Santa as a family day out so I would have preferred them not to have already done it with someone else

[AnotherManicMumday]

Due to school/Christmas fairs etc ds ends up seeing around 6 Father Christmases a year!