To think I can throw a successful bday party on the cheap?

[AlongCameBetsy]

DS turns 6 in early January, so I need to decide whether to book a location or just hold a party at home.

At home would be cheaper, I think, but obviously a tonne more work. I could invite his whole class instead of a select few if we were at a paid location.

I would run simple party games, decorate with balloons and streamers, put out sandwiches, cupcakes and squash, and limit it to about an hour and a half. Paid location would be something like an indoor climbing wall or trampolining place.

But the cost of decorations, games, and food, plus the effort of organising and planning everything- is it worth it? I keep talking myself out if it and back into it again. I need to decide quickly and get invitations sorted before they break up for Christmas so people can get it in their diaries.

Wwyd?

Home is so much cheaper and always the parties mine remember now they are 16 and 14. The other parties are ten a penny whereas a home party can be so lovely and you can have some great fun with games

Enjoy!

Oh just to add I always did spag bol for home parties as I found it cheaper and easier than sandwiches and stuff and all children tend to like it whereas with sandwiches they can be fussy

Home parties definitely will
be cheaper.

Lots of games require only a piece of paper and a ribbon or a scarf. Prizes can be sweets or mini chocolate bars or board games and toys from charity shops.

Home party cheaper it may well be worth the cost of location to avoid all the effort. Depends what is most important to you.

I did this when ds was 6. Although there were only 10 of them. Played games - tho more "mini assault courses" the length of the living room for 2 teams. Or wind up the car the fastest. (wooden spoon with long piece of string tied to the middle and other end tied to a toy car. Stretch them out on floor and shout go and they have to wind them in. Sounds daft but it's quite funny)
I bought each kid a camo t-shirt (from Asda they were 2 or 3 quid) and did a jungle theme. They still played musical statues etc. It was the best party he had tbh

Just have it at home, put on a snacky spread and some squash and plan a couple of party games.
It’s a 6 year old birthday, it doesn’t need to include a 3 tiered cake, loads of matching decorations, a theme, a balloon arch or over the top food.
The most important thing is just your son having a nice time with some friends.

We rent a leisure centre all that came with a bouncy castle. It was 50 quid. We had to provide the food but honestly it s just white bread, cheese/ham and cake so not a fortune.
Your child can invite as many people as they want.
There is a lot of space and no risk of things getting broken or dirty.
No need to provide entertainment - the bouncy castle/ football pitch did the work for us.
If it's a whole class party, you get lots of gifts, half of which our child didn't like and that we ended up regifting to other birthday parties.
No mess at home either.
All in all, a winner for us but I guess those parties are less personal.

• hall, not all

Home party will be way cheaper and I think 6 is a great age for a party at home if you have space.

We always did home parties and the kids loved it but he had a max 12 kids. If you need/want to invite the whole class I would do elsewhere. Sometimes you can hire church halls pretty cheap.

The whole class at home - ambitious. Do you live in a mansion?

i’ve done parties at home, but only 8-10 children. It was very 70s - musical statues, pin the tail, musical chairs etc. The children loved it.

I agree. A few balloons up and you’re sorted.

Wow 50 quid for a hall with bouncy castle is really good value. Great option if you can get something for that price.

Hah, maybe the whole class at home is a bit much, even for an hour and a half! But I would be able to afford to invite more kids if it was at home instead of elsewhere. Whether I could cope with it all is potentially another story.

We've often done a day/trip out for maybe 4 or 5 friends which is cheaper than a softplay/climbing wall but no damage and clearing up at home.

Halfway house would be to do the "at home" type party in a hired church hall/village hall/working men's club.

I did a party for DS once which was a bit of a mix - I think he was 6 actually . A group of around 6 friends - we went to soft play centre to start with - but it was far cheaper paying the children in for an hour than booking the party package . Then we came home - had snacky birthday tea and then played games in the garden - including water fights .

A home party sounds lovely, but unless you have a huge house, I'd limit to 10-15. I used to love home parties when I was a kid! Pass the parcel, musical bumps and statues etc. The best memories!

Though, my mum used to just put chips and nuggets in the oven because no one ever ate the sandwiches 😂 I think I'd do the same now with nuggets in the air fryer, some oven chips and a pizza sliced up with some beans or something x