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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

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Original poster

Build-a-bear party, good idea or terrible idea?

16 replies

charliesweb · 21/08/2010 21:42

Hi, my DD will be turning 6 a week before xmas. I always feel she loses out a bit having her birthday so close to xmas and it's made worse by both her brothers having their birthdays in June.

So to cut a long story short I was considering booking her a build-a-bear party for her and 5 friends. She is very keen on this idea, but I wonder is it a bit OTT for a birthday sending each child home with a clothed teddy?

I know I am thinking about this way too early, DH thinks I'm a sandwich short of a picnic.

OP posts:

Original poster

charliesweb · 21/08/2010 22:07

bump

OP posts:

Meglet · 21/08/2010 22:09

I bet the kids will love it but it will cost a fortune won't it.

And would the other parents really want more toys in the house a week before Xmas? [practical head on here]

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 21/08/2010 22:13

I took DD and 3 friends to Build A Bear for her 9th birthday and let them all get a bear and an outfit, they loved it. I didn't do party bags that year!

We didn't have a party because you need a minimum of 6 kids which we didn't have/want. The girls were quite happy without it being the proper party but I think at 9yo they're maybe a bit too old for the singing anyway. You do know there's no food provided don't you? It is just some songs and then choose a bear as far as I could work out.

Original poster

charliesweb · 21/08/2010 22:18

Yes it would cost a fortune. As far as I can work out we would have to budget about £20 per head.

Last year she had a joint party with a friend and we hired her dance teacher to do a dance party. I thought sharing the party would make it cheap. But after the cost of hiring the hall, the dance teacher, the food, party bags and cake it came to about £100 each.

I see your point about toys before xmas. But that is part of my problem I want her to have a special party because soon it's everyones turn to have presents and fun at xmas. DS1 had a fab den building party on a scout camp, but obviuosly we can't really organise anything outdoors. If we could I think I would have a fairy picnic or visit a farm.

My DH has completely vetoed the idea of post-poning the party and having it when the weather's better.

OP posts:

Original poster

charliesweb · 21/08/2010 22:20

sorry about unwarrented use of - in postponing!

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stripeyknickersspottysocks · 21/08/2010 22:21

Realisticly you need to budget £25 a head. Bears are between £10 and £15. Outfits are about £10. Worst case scenario everyone wants a £15 bear. Actually everyone could want the £18 Hello Kitty but even I'd put my foot down at that!

Isla77 · 22/08/2010 21:02

I think it sounds a fab idea and I would do it if you can afford it. To be honest I don't think one more toy before Christmas makes much difference in the grand scheme of things. You could always take them somewhere for a pizza after if you want food - more money though!

Original poster

charliesweb · 22/08/2010 22:38

Thanks for your comments I am still debating it.

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jellybeans · 22/08/2010 22:42

I did it for DDs 7th birthday and it was fab. It is no more expensive if you limit to 6 children and we set a budget of abut £16 per child and all got a nice toy with some clothes for that and all were happy to stick to the budget, we explained that they could come back with their families to buy extra bits. We went to Mcdonalds afterwards. All mine still play with their B-A-B bears as do their friends.

Belle03 · 27/08/2010 22:16

My friend found a mail order company where you can buy all the stuff & make bears at home. She did that with her DD & friends & it was loads cheaper. She didn't do party bags coz of each girl having a bear. I'll find out & report back...

Oldjolyon · 28/08/2010 19:45

My DDs (6 and 3) recently went to a build a bear party and they loved it. They now want it for their own party later on this year.

We're having a little company (Bristol based if you live anywhere near there), who come to your house or hall and run the whole event. As it is a joint party - we're paying £6.50 a bear. It will cost a fait bit, but I figure that it is two children's parties. The alternative would be a soft play party for one child at £8 a head, and a gymnastics party for the other at £6 a head, but then party bags need to be bought on top of this.

I guess it is all a matter of persepective. But, my children loved the little one and adore their bears.

HTh

KickArseQueenOfTheDamned · 10/10/2010 00:11

Hiya, I know this is reviving the thread, but you can do it for £9.00 per head and the cost of a happy meal. Also look here

Makes it cheaper again. HTH

metromum · 10/10/2010 21:34

My dd has been to one b-a-b party - that was her one and only visit to that shop as I'm too stingy, so it was very special. She's treasured her bear ever since. Her friend invited about 12 people and her dad turned grey when he had to hand his bank card over.

metromum · 10/10/2010 21:36

P.S I don't think a Christmas birthday is necessarily such a bad thing; there are loads of special things you could do for parties (tea with Santa, trips to pantomime, Christmassy films at cinema, Christmas craft parties, temporary ice rinks...)

muffinmum · 14/11/2010 22:46

Hi, I did one for my dds 4th birthday party, we had 36 kids doing various craft things bu their fave by far was the build a bear,you could do it at home, buy all the stuff (i had loads of help and advice, bought the bears and got birth certificates from the lovely ladies at Nellies Art Parties www.childrensartparties.co.uk and have a great time making funky hats with pipe cleaners, bracelets/necklaces with beads, they sell t shirts for the bears that you can decorate with fabric pens and we made little denim or fleece jackets ourselves. You could then have a teddy bears picnic type party tea/indoor picnic???

Tinyoneuk · 01/03/2014 11:35

WORST STORE IN THE U.K UXBRIDGE build a bear RUDE, NASTY AND CALLED THIEVES. My daughter and grand children have just rung me from the u.k (middle of the night) upset and crying over the nasty rude treatment they received they were called thieves and liars by Joanna they were trying to return stuffed boxed build a bears (which I had brought them) for an exchange they were asked for the receipt which they did not have but they gave my details and explained I was at this time in the USA they were told they could have picked them up off the shelves themselves (calling them thieves), they were then told I did not have an account (strange as I have spent £1000's with build a bear and know I have an account) then they were told anyone can just walk in and take things off the shelves(calling them thieves again). Then they were told even if I had an account they could not look things up (which is it I do not have an account or they cannot look things up) They had explained I lived in the USA and UK and they were told that was rubbish she either lives in the UK or USA but could not live in both (thanks for that, but I live in several places). I have spent £1000's with your company to have my family treated with such rudeness and called thieves you have now lost several well to do customers both in the UK and the US I shall be spreading the word thick and fast. HOW DARE YOU!!!

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