Childrens Parties - I want DS to have a joint 7th Birthday party (to save £'s) but he doesn't want to...

[josben]

We are v broke at the moment and so I thought I had a great solution as to how to pay for DS1's 7th Birthday Football party - I got talking to Mum of a boy in his class (who I know quite well) her son also wants a footie party and so we decided (subject to agreeing it with our DS's ) to have a joint party and share the cost and the work.

When I told DS1 this he was not very impressed as I don't think that he plays with boys much (he is much more boisterous than DS1 - although Ds1 does go to Beavers and Footie practice with him)

So now my Ds has said he doesn't want a Footie party and would rather have a few friends home for tea....
I just feel that he'll be missing out on a really nice birthday as he loves football and has always had a big-ish party for all his other Birthdays....
Don't know what to do?

His birthday, let him have what he wants.

I had a very good friend and we decided to let our kids have a joint party and I felt it was a disaster. Firstly my daughter had had parties since she was 2 and it was this boy's first so his mum wanted to go totally OTT but I was meeting half the cost of this. Plus I was trying to explain how much stuff got wasted and give her tips due to experience but this was her son's first party so she wouldn't listen. We agreed half guest list each but hers consited of family and personal friends so it was left to me to invite all the pre-school kids but then we put their names down jointly on invitations and on the day majority of kids my daughter had invited just brought presents for my friend's son because they were all boys!! I was quite unhappy with the whole experience and to be honest after chatting with a few other mums they all felt let down by joint parties as well. I'd say tread very carefully. There are these catalogues where you can buy some nice football theme plates, etc and if you just invite 4 other kids to your home it's still a football theme party. Baker Ros have some nice football gift ideas for party bags. Best to go with what your son wants and save you any problems with this mother. I've also found from experience that forcing kids together just because the mums might get along always ends up badly and I've lost many friends because my kids hate my friends' kids!!

Ask him to make the choice. Explain you are too skint to afford a footie party on your own.

Choice A - share footie party as suggested
Choice B - 5 friends round at yours for pizza and video + kickabout in park if weather good.

Sorry, just seen. B is what he wants. perfect.Especially as he has done the big parties before.
Chill out !

I wouldnt question him further go for the MUCH cheaper option and encourage him to invite a couple of his nicest lowest maintenance friends only