Any out there who have chosen *not* to do a birthday party for their DC's 5th birthday?

[lovechoc]

DH does not want DS1 to have a birthday party, rather that we go away as a family for the weekend just before he turns 5yo. I see where DH is coming from, and to be honest if we can hold off having a proper birthday party until he's established in primary school then that would be even better (as he'll probably make more steady friendships then). Thinking of the cost aswell!

Anyone else put off having a 'proper' birthday party until their DC is slightly older?

Mine only started having parties at 4 or 5. small party at home with literally a handful of friends. only has to cost about £20/30.

Me. My daughter is quite introverted and shy, she really doesn't like parties much. (strange child )

I think a weekend away sounds lovely.

None of my DCs have had 'class' birthday parties as we haven't the room to have them at home or the money to hire somewhere. It didn't harm them in any way I know a few people who have only ever done family things.

At DD school, the year is split into 2 classes strictly according to age for reception. Hers isn't until summer.

So far, not one single party since September!!!
It's possible some have had very small gatherings with one or two, OR she is so unpopular to have not been invited to any (joking, it really isn't this!!).

So hardly anyone is having 5th birthday parties round these parts!

dd had 3 friends round for tea on her birthday some are doing bigger parties but this suited us (and her) fine

Ds3 5.5 has never had a party, his birthday is in the summer hols. We just have a family tea. I probably won't get off with that for much longer.

does your DS1 WANT a party - my DS wanted one - we did a joint one with a friend - that cut the cost and the work alot - or a small party at home with a few friends is also good and cheap

None of my 5 children have ever had a birthday party in fact I don't think any of them have ever had a friend round for tea on their birthday.

DS was 5 last July. He started at school in the previous January and although he settled in well, hadn't made firm friendships: one week x was his best friend, then y, then z. Pretty normal stuff but things were frantic at home with job changes and I just couldn't face it. We took advantage of a non pupil day the day before his birthday and had a family day at Chesington with special picnic etc. I did feel a bit guilty but he had a ball.

Thank you to all who have responded, and it seems that it's not a big deal then not to have a party until maybe he is a slightly older (6-8 year old perhaps).

AnOtherName he has been to a party back in November last year, at a playmate's house nearby (there were around 6 or 7 other children there, was a 4th birthday party) and because of this he has mentioned he'd like x,y and z for his own birthday party. DH thinks we will be better rephrasing it for him and suggesting that a weekend away to celebrate his birthday, just the four of us will be just as special. We'll see..

Tbh, I just cannot be bothered with the hassle and would rather wait until he's a bit older when he has established a few good friendships at school and it's clear who he is friends with and who he isn't. DH has similar views to myself, he feels it's a lot of bother to arrange a party for 4/5 year olds.

Well we've never had 'proper' birthday parties with entire classroom and entertainer etc. They can invite three friends from their class, plus a couple of friends from the neighbourhood (8-9 children in total) and they have a meal (pizza!) with pud (ice cream and Jelly) and they play, or I put the disco lights on and some music, or last year my eldest (6) wanted to watch a movie with his friends so they had a meal here and watched Tangled. I don't do party bags or anything like that.

Cake,candles and maybe 3 friends would feel like a party and be special for him. Five is quite a big birthday I think. You can do the weekend away as well.

Ds1 is 8 and has had precisely one birthday party (his 6th birthday). I hit it just right, themed it with the current craze amongst him and his chums and it was a roaring success. I have graciously accepted that this is a performance that can never be lived up to and was too bloody knackered to consider doing it again

Before and after it has been day trips - trains, zoo, local science centre with a mate, this year we took him for a tour of the Man City ground.

We didn't. He had just started school and we had vaguely thought about doing a party somewhere but we were too broke to do so, we had a couple of trips out and meals with grandparents and he was perfectly happy.
We did have a party this year for his 7th, took 10 little friends to the local hellzone party venue and it wasn't too expensive and they all loved it. But there don't seem to be very many birthday parties at his school anyway.