Birthday Parties for older children soo expensive.

Towser

What lovely lessons to be imparting to your child.

No definitely don't tell the child anything!!!!

thriftylass

My tuppence.

Firstly we never do whole class parties like DS's nursery mates. Why, he's not friends with everybody and I don't know them all either. So far we had just kids round the house and a HM buffet. Later we maybe do the village hall type thing and make our own buffet. When he's older we'll see but even the cinema sounds really expensive esp if there is a McD involved beforehand. When I grew up we always just had friends round the house for differently themed parties, no need for limos etc. As long as they feel it's their day and it's being made special it doesn't need to cost a fortune.

Another thing, do a RSVP with a date two or three weeks before the party. If they haven't replied, they are not coming and you won't need to pay for them. That's what most people in DS nursery did if they hired a soft play etc.

thriftylass

Towser wrote: »

I was wondering whether to be more business like. Have spent £200 on a few people for good experience with maybe few gifts received. Opposed to just a games party with food inviting as many people that will come.

Using the gifts as profit and loss against spend on experience.

The more people invited to more gifts the child receives.

Wow, really? I'd rather my child had a good experience with a few good mates rather than mum/dad making their money back.

Another thing I don't get in this country is party bags. They bring a present (no mater how small, big or HM), we give them a party, food etc. Why the gift bag?

duchy

mum2one wrote: »

This yr we were going to hire the local swimming pool, as it was her 1st yr at secondary school, (£60 for an hr), but circumstances took over and couldnt arrange it, as shes 13 next yr looking into a limo and bowling........

That seems quite contrasting parties - as a whole pool would take a far bigger number and a limo a very limited number (personally I think the limo idea is a bit OTT and nicer to wait for something a bit more milestone like a 16th ......after all if it's a limo at 13 - and you want to go one better for 16th or prom you might have to hire a helicoptor ;...which leaves the private jet option still available for an 18th )

duchy

Towser wrote: »

I was wondering whether to be more business like. Have spent £200 on a few people for good experience with maybe few gifts received. Opposed to just a games party with food inviting as many people that will come.

Using the gifts as profit and loss against spend on experience.

The more people invited to more gifts the child receives.

Probably better from a profit and loss viewpoint to forget the party as once you factor in costs plus your own time at a commercial rate it wouldn't be cost effective.

ViolaLass

No party is probably the most cost-effective option as the child will receive some presents regardless.

Janepig

thriftylass wrote: »

My tuppence.

Firstly we never do whole class parties like DS's nursery mates. Why, he's not friends with everybody and I don't know them all either. So far we had just kids round the house and a HM buffet. Later we maybe do the village hall type thing and make our own buffet. When he's older we'll see but even the cinema sounds really expensive esp if there is a McD involved beforehand. When I grew up we always just had friends round the house for differently themed parties, no need for limos etc. As long as they feel it's their day and it's being made special it doesn't need to cost a fortune.

Another thing, do a RSVP with a date two or three weeks before the party. If they haven't replied, they are not coming and you won't need to pay for them. That's what most people in DS nursery did if they hired a soft play etc.

Like most things it depends how you do it. Most of the big cinema chains (Vue, Odeon, etc...) do kids clubs at about 11am on a weekend and every day in the holidays where they show a film that's afew months old for about £2 ish each.

Jx

balletshoes

Towser wrote: »

I was wondering whether to be more business like. Have spent £200 on a few people for good experience with maybe few gifts received. Opposed to just a games party with food inviting as many people that will come.

Using the gifts as profit and loss against spend on experience.

The more people invited to more gifts the child receives.

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

There's a lot to be said for honesty. Many people wouldn't have admitted to that line of thought.

That line of thought wouldn't even have crossed my mind - as the pressies kids get from friends who they've invited to their birthday celebrations are generally stuff which the child may not have wanted, may not be of any interest to them, and which may not be used/played with. Of course thats not the case with all pressies from friends, but I know over the years I've passed on several unopened kits/sets etc which my daughter got as birthday pressies from her schoolfriends.

sulphate

Towser wrote: »

I was wondering whether to be more business like. Have spent £200 on a few people for good experience with maybe few gifts received. Opposed to just a games party with food inviting as many people that will come.

Using the gifts as profit and loss against spend on experience.

The more people invited to more gifts the child receives.

This is a joke, right?

I don't get why people just expect gifts for a child's birthday party anymore than why they would expect gifts for a wedding.

Towser

This is a joke, right?

Well yes of course you would hope so.

I have been to some very stingy, mean parties I thought that's how people view it, did it. I cannot explain it another way.

That's why I am wondering whether to do these experience parties for my kids and try something cheaper.