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Original poster

dd's party - costing a fortune!

24 replies

bagpussmice · 03/09/2005 20:25

by the time you have bought
a cake
party bag presents
pass the parcel presents
food for the kids
snacks for the adults
drinks (beers and wine incl).

I don't go over the top and try to do things in a economic without being stingy way... and there are only 10 children coming (plus mums and dads, grandparents x 4 and aunties etc...)! What do you do when they start school and have hundreds of friends to invite!???

it all costs a fortune - or am I being a humbug?
thing is we have to do it all over again in about 6 weeks time for dd2's birthday!

OP posts:

WideWebWitch · 03/09/2005 20:29

Well, I don't feed adults or provide wine (except for me and dp for when they're in bed), I don't do party bags, just fun size chocolate and cake as they leave. Food for kids is easy and cheap, DON'T over cater, they're always too excited to eat much and there's always tons left over. Pass the parcel etc, make it a v small thing. I invited the whole class for ds's 5th (new school, didn't know anyone, thought might as well as we had a hall) and I reckon it was under £60 for a bouncy castle, hall hire - only a tenner mind you - and food. Which is doable in my book once a year. Under 4 yo I won't do anything other than a small tea though!

cod · 03/09/2005 20:30

Message withdrawn

cod · 03/09/2005 20:30

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Original poster

bagpussmice · 03/09/2005 20:34

most of the adults are actually friends of ours
so they probably feel obliged to stay (some live too far to drop off and pick up in a couple of hours too)...

we went to a great party today with many of the same people who are coming to my dd's tomorrow, so we have a lot to live up to!
I haven't spent much on pass the parcel pressies or the party bags really - I guess it's just the food and mainly the booze that ends up costing the money

OP posts:

spod · 03/09/2005 20:37

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Original poster

bagpussmice · 03/09/2005 20:39

she will be 4

OP posts:

cod · 03/09/2005 20:39

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spod · 03/09/2005 20:41

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Kidstrack2 · 03/09/2005 21:11

Yeah thats what I do Pound shops or poundstretcher and its off to Asda for the party food! Oh and the cake!

NannyL · 04/09/2005 00:34

you could make the cake for a couple of £s!

MumOnaMission · 04/09/2005 01:12

Poundstretcher, or Instore as they're now known, have got 50-75% off loads of toys at the moment. I just got loads of prizes for dd's party tomorrow for 25p to 75p for some really good stuff.

jampots · 04/09/2005 01:16

i've never had the parents stay at parties but still they seem to cost a fortune. In a couple of weeks ds (9) wants to take 4 or 5 friends to this place for his "party"

essbee · 04/09/2005 01:47

Message withdrawn

jabberwocky · 04/09/2005 03:57

Ds's cost probably the same essbee. We grilled burgers and the guests did potluck side dishes, I baked the cake and dh decorated it. got the party bag gifts at the dollar store (do they have those in the UK?) and everyone had a blast. The kids played with water toys in the back yard and the adults sat on the deck and talked.

bobbybob · 04/09/2005 05:06

Adults would probably enjoy eating the kids party food - and it would solve the leftovers problem! If it's only a couple of hours why should you feed them?

Ditto wine and beer - it's a kids party, why can't they have additive laden beverages as well? I solved this problem by having the party at a venue that didn't allow alcohol. I think I only provided water actually as ds doesn't drink juice. (2 yo party though)

Unless of course these people are friends in their own right and if you weren't having this party you would probably entertain or go out with all of them anyway. if that's the case then it's quite an economical way to entertain them.

jac34 · 04/09/2005 08:36

It's great if your kids birthdays are in the summer you can have games in the garden, that keeps the cost down, not having to book a hall.

My DS's Birthday is in October,we spent a fortune last year on a big party in a venue, but they were 6yo and it was their first proper party. However, this year they want the same sort of thing, but I wanted to keep the cost down. It crossed my mind to do one at home for say, 6 kids, but they would all be inside and proberbly all boys !!!We don't have a massive house but my DS's have their own play room, so was hopeing to keep them mostly in there, would it work???

fqueenzebra · 04/09/2005 09:04

Jac34 ds1 will be 6yo in November. Recently he went to an 8yo's party where they played lots of traditional party games (and had a football game, and a bouncy castle). Thing is, he LOVED the games, he wants them for his party, although I think we won't, because he wants a BIG Party which isn't so manageable with lots of games. I think you can deffo do a party for them (will be 7yo?) at home with a small group of children. Lots of clever party games, and a treasure hunt with good prizes.

Bagpuss: If the adults are mostly friends of yours and you feel obliged to be that hospitable (are they safe to get home tipsy, not driving are they, btw?!) -- then it really isn't an ordinary kid's party. It's a party for your child... and your friends. Can't compare to a usual child's birthday party, really.

dinny · 04/09/2005 09:10

keep in simple - little party tea for the kids and a few nibbles, drinks for adults. ours in our garden, so just playing outside. helium balloon each instead of party bags....??

bubblerock · 04/09/2005 09:20

For DS1s 7th birthday he took 4 friends to the cinema and then McDonalds, I did a cinema party bag for them with drink sweets and popcorn.

I'm pretty lazy when it comes to parties though and tend to take them to Brewsters - kids love it, no mess for me and it's not that expensive as it's all included even the invites!

Original poster

bagpussmice · 04/09/2005 11:27

party is today..
kids are having cheese sarnies or marmite sarnies, crisps, grapes and then cake.
Adults wine and beer (all my friends are very sensible and only drink if not driving!)...
crisps, dips, crudities etc... and then cake...
Pass the parcel have 50p prices in and party bags cheap too.
I guess the alcohol is the biggest cost and that was our choice as they are our friends and it's such a nice day to have a beer or wine in the garden.
Will let you know how it goes if I'm sober enough to type later on!

OP posts:

KateF · 04/09/2005 11:50

Hope you have a lovely day. Do not worry about living up to someone elses's party - each to their own. Waht you have provided is pretty much what I have done in the past. Oh and when they start school YOU decide how many they can have and they have to choose.

compo · 04/09/2005 11:56

On a day like this I'd have got dh to do a BBQ and thrown adults and kids out into the garden with cheap sausages etc and booze

Original poster

bagpussmice · 04/09/2005 18:33

I think I am the only one who drank the wine!!
a great afternoon had by all - everyone stayed on beyond the "official" finish time so I guess they must have been having fun!
dd's have hardly eaten anything sensible all day - apart from breakfast... lots of crisps and cake!
Dh just up doing bath now and I am having another! glass of wine ...
thanks for all your support

OP posts:

fqueenzebra · 06/09/2005 21:42

Glad you had such a good day.

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