Party for Daughter

Tink82

I need help! It is my daughters birthday the first wek of March and I'm an unemployed student. She has been going on abnout a birthday party for months now but I jut can't afford what she wants. I can't do anything from our house as it is just not big enough or ready.

She is such a good girl and it would break her heart not too have one. I'm willing to sell anything I can to pay for one. It's starting to really upset me now

Any ideas???

JailhouseBabe

Hi Tink - I was in the same position when my dd turned 8. Luckily there was a circus in town and we managed to get half-price tickets for her and a few friends who then stayed over for a slumber party. Obviously that doesn't help you!

Do you have a local cinema that does childrens films cheaper at the weekend? I know our local Odeon does it. Maybe you could bring a couple of her friends and bring your own sweets and drinks.

Tink82

JailhouseBabe wrote: »

Hi Tink - I was in the same position when my dd turned 8. Luckily there was a circus in town and we managed to get half-price tickets for her and a few friends who then stayed over for a slumber party. Obviously that doesn't help you!

Do you have a local cinema that does childrens films cheaper at the weekend? I know our local Odeon does it. Maybe you could bring a couple of her friends and bring your own sweets and drinks.

Thanks for that, we do, right in the town centre as well! I shall look into that one I had one at the house last year for just 5 of her friends, one was ill, one forgot and one never bothered to reply. I was mortified and don't want to let her down again! I look at a local hall that is £15 for 2 hours which is good but then I got quoted over £110 for a disco etc!!!! I just can't do that.

It's so hard isn't it? my parents just said "you never had these parties" whcih doesn't really help when all her friends are

jane130

how old is your daughter , you could hire the hall and do games , pass the parcel, musical bumps I'm sure there is a thread with lots of ideas.

really cheap food , sandwiches, pizza, jelly , carrot sticks etc

JailhouseBabe

I know. I had a small party a couple of months ago for my 40th, it was only when we were getting ready to set off for it that I realised it was the first birthday party I'd ever had! The only time I ever hired a hall, dd was 5 so didn't need a dj and we just had loads of party games. But then you need to pay out for prizes, food, etc.

I think its important not to 'compete' with other parents when it comes to parties - I hate how people feel pressurised into doing things they can't afford. I'm sure you'll see a lot of her friends' parents cutting back on partiess this year. I also think 8 isn't too young to appreciate the cost of things, but more importantly the value of things. If you make it a special day for your daughter, even if sticking to a minimal budget, she can appreciate the value. With a mum who obviously cares so much, I bet she'll have a great day whatever you do x

Tink82

jane130 wrote: »

how old is your daughter , you could hire the hall and do games , pass the parcel, musical bumps I'm sure there is a thread with lots of ideas

She will be 6. I have thought a lot about this. Only down side is that we went to another girls party a few months back and there is a few kids that just run riot and don't join in! (maybe we won't invite them) they where running in the toilets and all sorts and the parents just sat there!! the others all joined in and there was about 3 kids playing pass the parcel lol!!

chonorla

Have to agree with that - as long as she feels special she wont care where she is or what shes doing !!
Having been in your situation too I've had to create many cheap parties - you've got a few weeks till her birthday so start buying one piece of party food or decorations a week with your shopping ( ie loads of balloons and streamers! Cheap white tablecloth - let the kids decorate it after they've eaten the food! ) and handmake invitations with her.
As for your house not being big enough - just clear one room completely and have it in there (I've always had a small house and believe me it doesnt bother the kids!) or just have a small party followed by a sleepover.

Good luck - it'll be a fantastic day whatever you do!

jamespir

Tink82 wrote: »

I need help! It is my daughters birthday the first wek of March and I'm an unemployed student. She has been going on abnout a birthday party for months now but I jut can't afford what she wants. I can't do anything from our house as it is just not big enough or ready.

She is such a good girl and it would break her heart not too have one. I'm willing to sell anything I can to pay for one. It's starting to really upset me now

Any ideas???

do you have a soft play area in your town they are usually fairly cheap when it come to parties here we had a party at ours with ten kids and it cost 45 pounds they got an hour in the play area and then got a meal as well

Tink82

jamespir wrote: »

do you have a soft play area in your town they are usually fairly cheap when it come to parties here we had a party at ours with ten kids and it cost 45 pounds they got an hour in the play area and then got a meal as well

I do but it isn't that cheap :eek: did that when I was still with her dad and could afford this kinda thing. Wish it was that cheap!

sparklylime

How about bowling? At my local bowling alley you can pay for the lanes by the hour (rather than per person) so this is usually cheaper if you have lots of people. Also they do kids party packages which were about £8 per child I think and this was for 2 games, a meal, treat for the birthday girl etc.

Do you have an NUS card? If so remember to ask if there is a student discount

QueenBee

What would her ideal party be?
Let us know because we may be able to suggest ideas

How about a make and do party ? £Shops often have decorate a bag kits with sequins included? They could decorate fairy cakes with icing and sweeties.They could make princess tiaras/ sit with their feast laid out on a picnic rug and watch a dvd....maybe Enchanted or similar?
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