How much notice for a birthday party and other questions...

[fabulousmrbeagle]

Birthday party quandary,

Due to finances it's been left a bit late to sort out DS's birthday.
He is insistent (5) that he wants a big party like some of his friends have had and he wants it spider man themed. We have a tiny tiny house and no garden so doing anything at home or relying on the weather to do something outside isn't really an option. We don't want to let him down but me and my purse have our reservations.

We are are planning to hire a birthday venue and have an entertainer who can do both our dates. We have a choice of two dates (due to a family event being in the middle of the two dates). One is the weekend right after his birthday at the beginning of august and the other is about two weeks later. What with working parents, a weekend seemed sensible.

I'm looking for feedback from other parents as to whether you would find two weeks notice ok or would prefer a month's notice. I know I don't always have the time to go get a card or a present with short notice, and I'm more likely to have things planned that weekend. Is that generally the case?

On the other hand, would it be a bit weird to have a 'second birthday' almost two weeks later? Has anybody else done that?

Also, just out curiosity to check whether it's really worth paying the money for a party this time of year:
. would you normally avoid a summer party indoors (air conditioned building) on a hot day in the summer holidays?
. are you more likely to be on a holiday at this time?
. any other reasons attendance is likely to be low?

I guess at the end of the day it doesn't matter if there aren't lots of children, but I might feel a bit wounded if a lot of my mum friends don't show up. The fun of party planning, lol.

I'm wondering whether we should we just wait until he turns 6 or has the magic already worn off parties by that time (i.e mummy, daddy you didn't give me the spider man party of my dreams and I'll never be 5 again!)?

I don't know what we would do as an alternative though, maybe just take him and one friend out for the day and let him dress as spider man (and pay for their parents/siblings to come along.)?

I would rent a church hall or similar with a garden (usually much cheaper than a party venue). Don't bother with the entertainer. Have a few Spiderman themed games and some basic party food. Let them run up and down. If you really want to push the boat get DH to dress up as Spiderman.

You will find that turnout will be lower in the school holidays because people are away, but should still be ok. I think a month notice will allow more people to come. It depends what DS prefers, will he understand having to wait two weeks for his party?

Agreed turnout lower because of school hols. If we were here I would still come. Would much prefer a months notice than 2 weeks when we might have plans, especially at this time of year.
I sympathise, birthdays in summer hols are a nightmare! We are having dds party this weekend even though her birthday isn't for 10 days as last year nobody was here for it! ( I'm exaggerating - but we had to work hard to get 12 kids)

Depends how set he is on it. Can you think of a day out he'd love? Legoland? Cinema and mc ds? And do that instead? I'm not saying party would be impossible but maybe quite stressful for you to organise!