To party or not to party - 4 year old parties?

[Ifeellikeateenageragain]

Coming up to DC's 4th birthday and not sure what the etiquette/cost of living issues might be around parties.

We don't really know the other families at DC's preschool except to say hello at pick ups.

As one of the older children at preschool we are possibly (?) one of the first to have a party but it's been awfully quiet about other children having a party (and yes, maybe my DC hasn't been invited!). But my husband thinks that maybe people aren't having little kids parties so much at the moment because of CoL issues (local play centre is minimum £150 for parties). What's other people's read at the moment? Are parties for little ones a bit much at the moment for most people?

last year there were probably about 6-8 parties in DS pre school of 30; other people did days out or family parties. Totally personal choice.

Ds got invited to maybe 3 nursery parties in 3+ years.

Has started primary and has been invited to 6 already...

This. Plenty of tume for parties when kid is older. He won’t be a social pariah if he doesn’t have one at 4. Once he is in reception he will be with children he is likely to be with for many years, unlike nursery where ‘friendships’ are often peddled by the parents and fizzle out when the kids start school.

I would say about 50% of the kids had a party at preschool for age 4. We went to quite a few that year and we had one for my child.
Reception year parties probably every other weekend on average.
If you want to have a party, have one! It’s a great way to meet the other parents too which is nice if they are likely to go to the same school.

Ah thanks everyone. That takes the pressure off - might delay a bit till reception then.

Although, now I'm dreading the reception year party onslaught! 😅