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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

So tell me about toddler party etiquette please !

12 replies

cmotdibbler · 09/05/2008 10:35

Ds will be 2 this month. Had assumed that we would escape party horror until next year, but he came home from nursery with an invite to his best friends (also 2 this month) birthday party.

So. I haven't been to a childrens party since I was one, and just need to check that I know the score.

Present - obv one is necessary. I was planning on books - do we think Charlie and Lola books are OK for a 2 yr old girl (has an older sister).

Us - obv again that one of us needs to go. For a weekend party do both parents ever go ?

Party in return - we weren't planning on having any sort of party for DS, but will we look rude if we don't invite friend to one ?

Thanks for any advice - I'm a bit thrown by this, and don't want to make a mistake as this is the only mum I really speak to in the area.

OP posts:

rosealbie · 09/05/2008 10:40

Books are always a good idea and sure they will like Charlie and Lola.

Usually only both of us would go to a chaldren's party if we know the child and parents well. I normally go as I love parties.

No need to give a 'party' in return although I might invite this one friend and their mum if over for lunch and play with some balloons and cake when it is you ds's birthday?

Original poster

cmotdibbler · 09/05/2008 10:44

I should have said that DS and his friend are both at nursery full time as all parents work, so its kind of either inviting them to a party or nothing - not much chance for casual invites. DS will take cake into nursery on his birthday to share.

OP posts:

notnowbernard · 09/05/2008 10:45

I agree, no need to throw a party if you weren't planning one, but why not go out for a picnic or something with the friend? Take a birthday cake

Book always a good choice

LadyPenelope · 09/05/2008 10:47

Present - yes books always a good option. Charlie and Lola lovely books - although would say more for an older (4+) child. Still fine though for them to grow into.
If party was on a weekend, both DH and I would sometimes go - mostly just one of us though.
Certainly no need for any party in return!
Enjoy!

DontCallMeBaby · 09/05/2008 10:50

Books are definitely good - aside from the fact that they are books and books are good, they're also easily stored unlike plastic lumpy things, and easily regifted if duplicates or not to the child's taste.

We've both been with DD to a few parties - when she was small a couple of invites were specifically to whole familes rather than just her, and since then we've all been to a few that have been in village halls or similar. When it's in someone's house just one goes (she's 4 so not long till she can stay on her own, but haven't managed to do that yet).

As to reciprocal invites, if it's a 'big' party chances are the parents won't even realise who invites their child back and who doesn't. In fact if we'd had reciprocal invites after DD's 3rd it would have been horrific, we'd have been at parties constantly. But if this child is his best friend, you might want to invite her to a birthday tea or something, that could be nice.

Tommy · 09/05/2008 10:53

you are now entering the strange world of children's parties....

I wouldn't send both parents TBH unless you are both friends with the other parents as that will mean one more adult to make tea for and the mum will have enough to do.

Present sounds lovely

Have fun

Original poster

cmotdibbler · 09/05/2008 11:17

Thanks - its hard as we moved to this area when Ds was 15 months old, and know no one at all. We speak to the mum of this friend in passing if we coincide at nursery, and I once saw her at the swimming pool and talked for longer. But not anything you could really call friendly - but our children point the other set of parents out to us iyswim.

Party is at their house, but don't know how big that means the party will be.

I think if we knew them better, we'd invite for tea, but DH reckons we'll just leave it till next year.

OP posts:

witchandchips · 09/05/2008 11:23

Ime childrens parties at nursery are a bit like rounds in the pub after work. Everybody buys a round at some point but not every session. Thus it is quite understood that you may not have a party this year but that you may do something next year or the year after that

PortAndLemon · 09/05/2008 11:31

Books good. Charlie and Lola OK but personally I'd give them for 3+ rather than a second birthday.

Sometimes both parents go; quite a few couples at DS's second birthday.

If you're not having a party it won't look bad. Plenty of prents don't for a scond birthday.

Poledra · 09/05/2008 11:38

I usually take the children to parties and DH stays home. Older DD (4) only had her first proper b'day party this year, though she had been invited to others in previous years. Re Charlie and Lola - my 2-yo dd adores Charlie and Lola books, I, however, am sick of the sight of them

witchandchips · 09/05/2008 11:38

I'd give something like "put me in the zoo" or "I wish that i had duck feet" as they are a) great and b) from another generation so unlikely to have been bought already

duck feet

zoo

Clary · 15/05/2008 00:57

Book is great for present yes. C and L OK but a bit old? How about Pants which mine loved at 2!

Yes one of you needs to go and stay at 2. Both parents sometimes come to party which is fine if you want to. Not ever so common tho as many have another child to wrangle at home.

Don't have a party in return if you don't want to. Maybe invite this child for brthday tea?

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