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)

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

@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.

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.

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.

*special (not survival!)

My kids would have loved that.

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.

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.