Christmas birthday - summer party etiquette?

[Enid]

dd1's birthday is on 20 Dec - last year we were going to have a party but only 2 people in her class could come (it was the first Sat of the holidays). Anyway I promised her rashly she could have a party in the summer like the Queen (!) and she has remembered!

so...
if we have a party do we make it her 'birthday party'?
If so which one - she'll officially be 5.5
do people bring presents (bearing in mind she'll probably have a trip to the panto with a few friends near her birthday too)

or do I try and fob her off and have a big party at the beginning of December instead?

[tigermoth]

oh, what a fab idea to hold an unbirthday party. You can put the explanation on the invite, then people can decide to bring presents or not. If they ask, say it's instead of a december party, so it's really up to the guests - if it was me, I'd bring a present.

If you want another reason to give your guests, say that you were sorry that 'xyz' couldn't come to the december party, and as you really want 'xyz' there, you're holding this year's party at a more convenient time. So really, you are doing all this it for your guests - you kind person

[tigermoth]

oh, what a fab idea to hold an unbirthday party. You can put the explanation on the invite, then people can decide to bring presents or not. If they ask, say it's instead of a december party, so it's really up to the guests - if it was me, I'd bring a present.

If you want another reason to give your guests, say that you were sorry that 'xyz' couldn't come to the december party, and as you really want 'xyz' there, you're holding this year's party at a more convenient time. So really, you are doing all this it for your guests - you kind person

[tigermoth]

oh, what a fab idea to hold and unbirthday party. You can put the explanation on the invite, then people can decide to bring presents or not. If they ask, say it's instead of a december party, to it's really up to the guests - if it was me, I'd bring a present.

If you want another reason to give to your guests, say that you were sorry that 'xyz' couldn't come to the december party, and as you really want 'xyz' there, you're holding this year's party at a more convenient time. So really, you are doing all this it for your guests - you kind person

[darlingbud]

not read all this so sorry if I have duplicated. My dd's birthday is 17th December and so I amtryig to think how I would play it in your shoes.

DD would never have a bouncy castle/BBQ/outside party etc unless we ever have a heat wave in December and so I would probably just make it a party (without the birthday bit). Maybe a mid-summer/garden party.

I would explain to her that she can have a party in the nice weather but as it is not her proper birthday until December and so there will be no presents until then . At her official birthday (e.g a tea or panto - whatever you do) will be the time when she gets pressies.

[Enid]

all toys currently in storage - lovely, no more stepping on tiny Sylvanian family forks

[LGJ]

Wouldn't expect her to do the charity thing, I think it was just my reaction to the thoughts of more plastic in my house TBH

[Enid]

cant do the charity thing she deffo wnats presents

and has been jolly good girl as her room currently destroyed by builders and all toys in storage

[LGJ]

Personally


I would be inclined to say,... oh it is not necessacary [sp] and then if they do they do.


Actually ..it took all of DH's powers of persuasion to talk me out of putting no gifts....donations to charity please on DS [4] invites for the end of this month.

[WideWebWitch]

Agree, explanations on the invite I think, unbirthday party in the summer, low key event before Christmas. Tell parents it's up to them but that there won't be a party on her actual birthday. It's such a PITA when they remember something you rashly promised!

[Enid]

lol 'endless pink sparkly craft kits'

my heart sinks when I realise I am going to have to make another xxxxing dreamcatcher

[roisin]

Or you could just say "No" if you don't actually want heaps of plastic junk, or endless pink sparkly craft kits, or whatever

[roisin]

If they ask I'd say "well, it's up to you. As you know it's not actually her birthday, but she didn't have a party then, which is why we're having one now ..."

[Enid]

what do i say when mums ask "shall I bring a present"?

[WideWebWitch]

Sweet idea, unbirthday party, go for it.

[LGJ]

OOPs dodgy link


Believe me they did not look cheap

[Enid]

lol

think i may get branded as a little bit of a show off though

[LGJ]

Hit where it hurts Enid,


Organise an ice sculpture


No prices !!! Always a good start

[Enid]

Yes! could have a snow queen party with snowflake shaped stuff

will other mums think 'what a bonkers idea' though?

[Munchkinola]

he could sit and cut out paper snowflakes

[LGJ]

Loads of cotton wool, and ping pong balls and glue and prizes for the biggest snowball

[Enid]

said as he stalked past with the paper, only stopping to throw a sneering look at me crouched over the pc

[Munchkinola]

I was just about to post that

You could have a winter themed buffet though

[swiperfox]

Will be watching this with interest - dd's birthday is Xmas Day

[Enid]

lol it was him not me, merely reporting m'lud