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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

Birthday party just after giving birth. Help!!!

43 replies

Ceolas · 04/08/2007 21:25

DD2 will be 6 at the beginning of next month. Baby is due on 24th August. The other 2 children have had parties this year - DD1 a crafty party at home and DS at a soft play.

DD2's class are still doing the 'invite the whole class' deal, which I refuse to buy into at any time. However, she's friendly with a lot of the girls and has been to parties throughout last school year. Added to cousins, neighbours, etc we have amassed a guest list of 27 .

Now do I whittle this down and have a much smaller affair at home (much stress and organising with a newborn) or go for an outside venue at ridiculous expense but no hassle whatsoever?

One middle of the road option is hiring soft play and a trampoline at the council leisure centre. Not too costly but I'd have to do all the food

I don't know what to do but want to make a decision on this sharpish.

Any advice?

OP posts:

ChasingSquirrels · 04/08/2007 21:28

can't you do the leisure centre option and have it 10 - 12 or 2 - 4 and not do food - just drinks and a cake?

LilyLoo · 04/08/2007 21:28

i'm in same boat mine due 5th Jan and dd's birthday 13th Jan i am opting for a soft play where it's all done for me , that way if i don't feel up to going or baby doesn't come when planned then dad or mil can host the party for me and i don't have any hassle or mess, just have to turn up if baby here, or not.

JackieNo · 04/08/2007 21:30

We had DD's 4th birthday party 2 weeks after DS was born - I went for the leisure centre soft play option with full catering - all I had to do was supply a cake, and I was really glad I did it. Least stressful party we've had so far.

Original poster

Ceolas · 04/08/2007 21:30

Regardledd of the time the deal is an hour in the soft play bit and 45 mins in another room for food etc. If we don't do much food we'll have more time to kill with games etc!

OP posts:

Original poster

Ceolas · 04/08/2007 21:31

Sadly catering not an option Jackie or I'd be jumping at the chance.

Private soft play place where they do everything for you (including cake and party bags) is £10 a head!

OP posts:

ChasingSquirrels · 04/08/2007 21:31

ah, not an option then - oh well.

JackieNo · 04/08/2007 21:34

indeed! Can you rope in someone else to help? Relatives or friends, who could be bribed with offers of wine or whatever?

zaphod · 04/08/2007 21:34

Ds4 was born the day before ds2's birthday (and 11 days late), so we deferred the party for 4 weeks. On his birthday, the day the baby came home, we had his special meal, sweets, balloons, and birthday cake, so it was like he had 2 birthdays.

LilyLoo · 04/08/2007 21:34

i know there not always that nice but what about soft play at a local pub, wacky warehouse they about £6.00 a head so much cheaper ?

cadelaide · 04/08/2007 21:35

Could you do the leisure centre option and really easy food?, like a supermarket delivery of crisps, ready-to-eat sausages etc.
Everything pre-cooked/packaged and ready to go?

Original poster

Ceolas · 04/08/2007 21:37

OK her birthday is a Tuesday. Could put it off at least until the following weekend...

I would do the leisure centre thing if I was guaranteed some help. Not necessarily the case though. I'm thinking a few sandwiches, cold sausages, crisps, drinks, sweets and cake. But for 27 kids that's going to take some time to put together. I have a habit of taking things on thinking it won't be much hassle and then ending up frazzled!

OP posts:

cadelaide · 04/08/2007 21:39

Don't need sandwiches, just fill em up with packaged junk (dodgy territory on MN, i know).
Those mini scotch eggs, that kind of thing. I reckon you could get away with preparing nothing at all, with a bit of careful shopping.

LilyLoo · 04/08/2007 21:41

have you got someone on standby then if baby arrives on day of party ?

lilolilmanchester · 04/08/2007 21:42

what about putting it off til half term? 6 is old enough to explain that she'll be having an "official birthday, just like the Queen". I've seen people do this (often having a party in July before school breaks up for kids who have birthdays in August. Also went to a delayed party recently for a child who was too ill for a party on their real birthday). Do something special as a family for your DD on the day, then move the party to when you feel up to it, telling her she'll have a much better party as a result. Would that work?

JackieNo · 04/08/2007 21:42

Job lot of fruit shoots and Greggs sausage rolls eh? But I think cadelaide's right - you probably could do it with pre-prepared stuff.

cadelaide · 04/08/2007 21:44

Lilo's idea is good, I wouldn't attempt the leisure centre thing without help.

LilyLoo · 04/08/2007 21:46

the only prob with that though is how dd would feel knowing her party was being delayed for a new baby, might have jealousy repurcussions ?

Original poster

Ceolas · 04/08/2007 21:47

Actually, she is the one of the three who might just have issues...

I really do my best to treat them all the same. But sometimes circumstances get in the way.

OP posts:

lilolilmanchester · 04/08/2007 21:50

fair point Lilyloo, but you'd run yourself ragged trying to do the best by everyone all the time. Ceolas would no doubt be able to put a positive spin on why the party was (only very slightly) delayed, rather than blaming the baby. A 6 year old DD might well be very distracted anyway by the birth of a real life doll....

LilyLoo · 04/08/2007 21:52

true just a thought, how about just asking 5 or 6 friends to the pics and for a pizza then or something ? dad could do that then.

Califrau · 04/08/2007 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lilolilmanchester · 04/08/2007 21:54

if delaying it wouldn't work for your DD, then go with the leisure centre option. As ChasingSquirrels says, have it at a time when not having food wouldn't be an issue, but be upfront with the other Mums and say you won't be doing food. You could always provide crisps, fruit bowls, and drinks to keep them going and a bit of birthday cake at the end. The children won't care one bit and I'd hope that other parents would understand your position (or if they don't, not worth worrying about)

Original poster

Ceolas · 04/08/2007 21:56

I'm thinking maybe I don't usually get help with parties because I love organising them. I sometimes wonder if I get more excited about my children's birthdays than they do . If I asked for help, It'd more than likely be forthcoming...

OK so I hire the leisure centre and do all the shopping online (or send DH with a list). Pre-prepared stuff and possibly do a few sandwiches. Get sisters in law to help put out food and such on the day. Even supposing I have babe attached to my breast the whole time, things will keep going.

Does this sound like it might work???

What about the dreaded party bags?

OP posts:

LilyLoo · 04/08/2007 21:57

what about an entertainer instead of food, would someone making balloons or something not be cheaper / easier ? To fill the time.

LilyLoo · 04/08/2007 21:58

a book each much better use of money imo.

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