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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.

Original poster

Oh god. There are too many.. ...

22 replies

WinkyWinkola · 18/02/2008 18:24

I've just drawn up DS's 3rd birthday party list and it comes to 37 children.

We're going to hire a church hall, got an entertainer and face painter (family friends, thank god).

But is 37 just stupid? I can't see how I can whittle it down without offending.

Anything I should know to help us manage this?

Tips gratefully received.

OP posts:
PortAndLemon · 18/02/2008 18:30

How did you get to 37?

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 18/02/2008 18:31

13 from his nursery. The rest are friends from my NCT class and friends who had children at the same time as me.

OP posts:
twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 18:32

i have 60 coming to my 4 year old dds so im no good for tips sorry !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST DONT WORRY WENT TO ONE LAST WEEK AND SHE HAD 35 AND ENTERTAINER DID EVERYTHING JUST MAKE SURE THERE ARE DRINKS AND FOOD AND YOU WILL BE FINE GO WITH THE FLOW AND DONT GET STRESSED XX

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 18:32

sorry didnt realise i was shg xoutin

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 18:32

sorry shouting !!!!!!!!!!!

posieflump · 18/02/2008 18:33

see this thread, small can be so much nicer and less stressful!

ladette · 18/02/2008 18:33

A long time since mine were that age... but if you have a face painter and entertainer then you will be ok for the most part. I think you need some "side attractions" for those that don't want to join in/get bored. When DS was at nursery, the hour before hometime was nightmare time (tired kids etc) and they used to tape long strips of paper (use wallpaper lining paper) to the floor, let the kids draw on it, then cut round their pictures to take them home. Somehow more novel & interesting than just drawing on individual sheets.Or print out some character colouring sheets/rip pages out of cheap colouring books. Think of a couple of games they could play if you have time to kill or CDs to dance to. Very glad these days are behind me (watch out for me on the "how to entertain teenagers" threads!)

ladette · 18/02/2008 18:35

Oh, and if you are new to kiddies parties, they will get very thirsty during entertainer, so if you have just planned on drinks for tea-time, plan again. Water is fine, just be sure you have plenty of cups & jugs.

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 18:35

posieflump -- small isnt always possible !

PortAndLemon · 18/02/2008 18:36

If you did want to whittle it down you could just wait until nearer the time before sending out invitations so that more people have prior engagements.

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 18:36

yeah ladettes right drinks at all times !!!!!!!!

Twiglett · 18/02/2008 18:43

yes 37 is stupid and don't forget to count the parent(s) and siblings too .. because that is what will happen

(hides party-lists of 25)

choosyfloosy · 18/02/2008 18:44

Quite easy to get to 37. It was hard having to cut ds's party invitations to 9 because we couldn't afford to have it away from home - I've spent the month since putting my foot in it with the mums who we weren't able to invite. You could always ask any close friends in the group to organise something else that day and invite half the group!

I'd have something fairly physical for a big group, although the classic bouncy castle can get really over-physical. I thoroughly recommend 'What's the Time Mr Wolf' with as many people as possible having a turn at being the wolf. This takes up ages and costs 0. Also, have tea NO LATER than 1 hour after the start of the party - children at this age are a lot nicer after food IMO, and it takes up a huge chunk. If you do have physical games, give access to drinks early on? ds gets very thirsty when running around.

Alternatively, invite the NCT and friends to the actual party and just take cakes to nursery for them. Is that possible?

choosyfloosy · 18/02/2008 18:45

oh btw, limit it to 90 mins - plenty really

RTKangaDYSONMummy · 18/02/2008 18:48

deffo make sure there are toilets for all the little darlings

We always had huge aprties for DS when he was little I think they are funfunfun

provide some toys for those who don't like face painting or entertainer

ie a colouring table with crayons and paper

choosyfloosy · 18/02/2008 18:48

oh again, DON'T have pass the parcel. it's impossible with such a big group IMO and manages mostly to be both stressful and dull. (apologies to expert PtPers - we had it at home for 9 and that was just about OK).

pointydog · 18/02/2008 18:49

either just have nursery kids or just have friends and family kids. Simple.

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 19:11

yeah i agree no pass the parcel there are always loads of upset kiddies who didnt get a prize x

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 19:11

yeah i agree no pass the parcel there are always loads of upset kiddies who didnt get a prize x

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 19:11

yeah i agree no pass the parcel there are always loads of upset kiddies who didnt get a prize x

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 19:12

omg ree times post in=m not that obsessed with no ptp !!!

twospecialgirls · 18/02/2008 19:12

omg ree times post in=m not that obsessed with no ptp !!!

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