Right, I have to sort DS's party out soon or everything is going to be booked up.
I've been through the options with him tonight and he's said no to pretty much everything. We're down to 3 options I think:
- The only one of my options he liked was the suggestion of a bowling party. The local lanes will do a party for 6 kids for less than £70 that includes an hours bowling and food. I'd have to do cake and party bags.
Pros - It's cheap. It's easy. He likes the idea. It avoids me having a house full of kids. It feels like a 'party'. A friend went with their Son last week and said the staff there were really, really good (they didn't have food)
Cons - As stealth might have seen on FB, this is the party where the lady on the phone automatically suggested "Jugs of Diet Coke" as a suitable alternative when I asked if they could have something other than Fruit Shoots!. It feels like a bit of a cop out. The food is the standard pizza, chips, chicken nuggets type stuff that these places usually serve and could be awful. I have no idea what I'd put in party bags or what cake I'd make.
- DS's suggestion which I think is unworkable - Going to the cinema to see The Lego Movie. I'd guess he Hot Dogs and sweets to eat.
Pros - Fairly simple to do.
Cons - DS's birthday is a month after the movie comes out. He is desperate to see it so not only would I have to string him out for a month to see the movie, but I'd have to hope his friends hadn't seen it either - assuming it's even on for that long! One of the little boys I am sure DS would want to invite doesn't cope well with the volume and darkness in the cinema and tends to only go when he can accompany his cousin to an Autistic screening. There is 1 of these screenings a month and it unlikely to be the right movie even if it ends up being near the right day. It's expensive.
- DS is also desperate for The Lego Movie video game and we were thinking of buying it for him for his birthday. This is out in February too but I can probably make him wait until his birthday for it. It would be his birthday present from us. If we buy this and 1 more controller (and it's 4 player!) he could have 3 friends over to play the game for an evening. I thought maybe I could do food for them and maybe spend the money saved on having a big party on a reasonably sized Lego model from the movie for each child. They can build it when they arrive as it's a descent staggerable activity for late arrivals. I'll feed them and then give them an hour on the video game before sending them home with the toy in a goody bag with a pack of sweets - hell, I'll probably even be able to get themed sweets by then!
Pros - Cheap. Easy-ish. DS has been asking for a party at home since DD had hers - he really enjoyed having everyone over and thought the party was brilliant. I can legitimately keep it to 3 friends without feeling mean. I don't have to try to crowbar DD in somehow. We can have it whenever we want.
Cons - I have to have them all here. It doesn't feel like a 'party' somehow. Would that even work as a party?
Ha! That was long! I really need to decide soon though. Help!