4Real Forums: need advice for throwing 7th bday party

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: need advice for throwing 7th bday party

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insegnante
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Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 11:45pm \| IP Logged

This would be the first time we invited kids who are not family or children of parents' friends, but from CGS/Atrium and Cub Scouts and the parish HSing group which doesn't have "everyone" get together that often. I think he has mentioned 5 kids so far he would like to invite. He doesn't really have strong friendships outside of those yet with any of these kids, though he did attend two of their birthday parties. I have a few questions...

1) Is there really some kind of etiquette problem with alluding to the fact that gifts aren't expected? I thought I had read something to the effect that it is. But I've noticed other parents doing it. My son would be really happy if some kids actually showed up, and knowing how hard it can sometimes be to afford even $5 or $10 extra and since he's not exactly close friends with any of these kids, I would hate for that to be the deciding factor in how much company he has.

2) Do parents want/need to hear "It's okay to leave," "It's okay to stay," "It's okay to do either?" Do they want reassurance that siblings are welcome? We do not live within boundaries of the parish where he met these kids so some might live 15-30 minutes away.

3) Do little kids' parties always have themes these days? Is it unhospitably boring just to plan to have snacks and cake and play indoors or outdoors as weather allows, maybe with some simple games provided to structure the time a little (I will need to research exactly what simple games.) One advantage to themes is that if people do bring gifts for a kid they only know so well, I guess it makes the gifts easier to choose. I don't remember any theme parties when I was a kid though so if he doesn't get the idea somewhere else and ask for one I'd wonder if I should really do it just because I have seen others (reasonable, non-superficial people not trying to impress anyone with their creativity or expenses) do so.

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Theresa
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JodieLyn
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Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 11:52pm \| IP Logged

It would be very nice if you actually said that parents are welcome.. especially siblings if you're welcoming siblings. Or contrary-wise if it's ok for the parents to drop off their child.. letting them know that.

I've just made it a habit when we're asked.. flat out asking "how many of us do you want?"

As far as I know the safe occupancy level is just how fast can you get everyone out in case of fire and is generally not applied to private residences.

Sometimes we have themes.. sometimes not. It really just depends for us on if there's an activity we're doing or not.

one year the theme was tea party.. so we had a tea party.. but every minute of the time wasn't planned.. they also just played.

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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Paula in MN
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Posted: Jan 17 2009 at 9:38am \| IP Logged

Sometimes we do themes -- this year will be Candlemas.

I invite the entire family. Sometimes the older teenagers will stay home, but usually the rest will come.

I've told people before no gifts, and some listen and some don't. This year we are telling everyone in lieu of gifts to please bring food shelf donations, and then the kids and I will bring those to our local food pantry.

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Paula
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