Kids parties - or the root of all evil.

[Theyallneedarealitycheck]

Eldest is now in Year 1. Last year they wanted a party with a bouncy castle, I got so anxious about making the party perfect I made myself quite ill (I was having palpitations, fainted, lost sleep - I’m not a weak or timid person by any stretch of the imagination so it’s not me being wet).

This year they want the soft play place (hi Fopps ) and to invite all of their class. It takes a lot of the pressure off me which is great although I bleeping hate soft play with a passion! I also hate the school run and usually end up sat on my own at parties (there’s a huge clique, it really is like motherland!) so take a book even if it does make me appear aloof!

Anyway I’m trying to be more eco-friendly and hate all the plastic tit that comes in party bags, however I’m stumped for ideas for sweets that aren’t totally wrapped in plastic. Do animal bars still come in tin foil and paper packs? Are fruitella wrappers recyclable?

Feel free to rant about how much you hate the school run too!!

 

[spacecase]

I also hate kids parties! I read somewhere about instead of having to deal with hosting a party (and having to worry about kids not showing up) people just take their kids out and do something special with them like a mini vacation I think i'm going to go that route myself.

 

[btw]

My sons only 3 so I’ve not reached the age where a proper party is expected but god I’m already stressing. I have really bad anxiety so the thought of having to organise a party and socialise with other school mums makes me feel physically sick!!
I’ve seen some kids party’s where they hire a princess or superhero company and they basically do all the entertaining and games! I’ll probably end up doing stuff like this to take the pressure of myself

 

[MrsGarcia]

I hate whole class parties with a passion. I have 3 unanswered invites on my fridge waiting for me to decide if I can realistically come up with enough excuses to decline (we've already endured 5 so far this term ) I let my kids choose their venue out of a select few options (limit the number of guests, look for places that offer ready made packages/reduce the need for nonsense party favours) In the past I have made small sweet bags, a cupcake, paper gift bag and a token gift... ideally something useful like a headband, book or stationery.

I alternate years with my 3 so that they can have either a small party or a family trip to a theme park, zoo etc.

There is definitely a competitive nature to parties nowadays that makes my blood boil It was far less stress when I was a kid and parents were happy with jelly and ice cream tea parties or (the one I was always jealous of) a Ronald McDonald party - burger and a paper hat on the Maccy D plastic train

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Give them a book instead? The Works usual do 10 for £10.

I only have 4 months left of the school run and then primary school is over for mine. I know everyone says time goes so quickly but it seriously does.. I feel like mine just started nursery last week but nope.

 

[Orange Creme]

Regarding the school run , my kids have been at 3 different schools and the second school was awful! witches standing in groups together, looking down their noses at everyone. The school I'm at now is so friendly, no cliques and everyone is just going about their thing and concentrating on their kids

My daughter has been to loads of parties this year and she's been invited to one at a soft play but my husband is worried about corona virus.

 

[Theyallneedarealitycheck]

Regarding the school run , my kids have been at 3 different schools and the second school was awful! witches standing in groups together, looking down their noses at everyone. The school I'm at now is so friendly, no cliques and everyone is just going about their thing and concentrating on their kids

My daughter has been to loads of parties this year and she's been invited to one at a soft play but my husband is worried about corona virus.

I’m with your husband my friends kids just got hand foot and mouth disease from one up the road.

 

[chocolate choux]

Mine is only one and hasn’t had a party yet. I think I’m going to be the killjoy mum and not have parties Nothing about being around an overexcited crowd of children appeals to me. It actually sounds like my idea of hell

As for the sweets - smarties are sold in cardboard tubes, afaik they don’t even have the plastic caps anymore? Kit Kats? Pick n mix in a paper bag? Drumstick lollies? Double dip sherbet? Starburst? Toffees? Not sure how recyclable they all are but may be better than plastic anyway

 

[Sparks]

We had a couple birthday parties that were not successful. We invited his friends and hardly anyone showed up. So for my oldest we started doing something special with him instead of a party. We would go to theme parks or dinner shows. His birthday is also around Christmas so I know it is a tough time for people to come to a kids party.

My youngest has had parties because we moved and now have some amazing friends who always show up. And we invite family. That way if his friends from school don't show up we still have plenty of people to have a great party.

 

[carebear123]

I've just booked a party for my daughter at a play area we are going to get the works book deal 10 for £10 I've only invited 10 of her school friends.ive had no replies to invites but they was only sent out today.
For her birthday last year we did the play area she was 3 and she loved it,had all the kids from her child minders and I did a separate meal day out for family.
I did sweet cones last year which the kids loved .

 

[Coconutbug]

I was going to post a thread about kids parties today
Have you got a local sweet shop? We've got quite a cheap one by us, I was going to get a big bag and decant it into smaller things. (Hoping to make little cardboard boxes but we'll see)
Could you get away with just sending them away with a fancy cupcake as they head out the door?

I'm on a zero waste group on faceyb and alot of the suggestions are books, seeds, cake, an item of fancy dress related to party, reuseable straws, notepad and pen, printed activity sheet or my favourite suggestion...nothing!! You've already thrown them a party, they don't need to have a present for attending.




Seed idea:

10 x Wildflower Seed Packets - Birthday Party Bag Fillers - Personalised with Your Child's Name & Birthday : Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

Shop 10 x Wildflower Seed Packets - Birthday Party Bag Fillers - Personalised with Your Child's Name & Birthday. Free delivery and returns on eligible orders of £20 or more.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Mrs Cucumber]

I only ever do a big party for their 5th birthday after that it's a couple of friends to ours to play for a few hours.

My daughter will be 5 in April and we've struck lucky as her and her 2 best friends all have birthdays within days of each other, so we're doing a big joint party and sharing the stress!

The works do cloth colour in bags, I think it's 12 for £10, I use them for the party bags and pop stationary in them.

 

[Downtoearth]

I can't believe the people saying they won't do parties. It doesn't matter if you hate them.... Its for your kids! I've got 3 and they've all had a proper party for every birthday; everything from bowling to soft play to hiring the local pool to a camp out and games in the garden. Some years cost loads, some were on a budget. Yes it's a bit stressful sorting food and party bags and even more when you're doing the games yourself. But once they hit their early teens they aren't so bothered (mine just want a sleepover with their mates now) so why not embrace the mess and the noise and the sticky fingers while you can?!

I know someone who has never had parties for her kids, and once told me (after we just got back from Disney) that she "hates the commercialism" of Disney land and would never take her kids there.

They're going to be a right barrel of laughs when they grow up, aren't they

 

[coconochanel]

When it was Pixiwoo nic's daughters bday she took her and a few friends to Lush to pick a bath bomb each. That's quite a good idea if they are older.

 

[Lynseyp]

I absolute hate kids parties, all my 3 children have had parties that I've organised and i have vowed never to do it again. It causes so much stress with parents not replying, or not turning up without an explanation or like one we had where a child turned up that we didnt know was coming plus the party bag expense as well as food & drink.
Going forward we tell our kids to choose a favourite restaurant and we book a table and have a nice family meal instead plus we spend a little more on their presents. My eldest will have a mate around for a sleepover when its her birthday and it works well.
I would never advise not to do parties, its personal choice however so much money is spent on parties where it could be spent elsewhere and plus the fact are kids really going to remember the parties you did for them when they are alot older?.