Parenting

s/o birthday parties...

Would you think its weird/bad to have a party without cake?

I don't want to have a traditional kids party (ie bounce house/tunnels/etc type place) because DS isn't in daycare and has no friends. He has 3 cousins, one of whom is a bit older (3, 3.5, and 6) and I have two friends with kids his age I would consider inviting. So at the very most, there will only be 6 kids. 

I really want to have it at a farm/petting zoo, but you can't bring in your own food and there are no nearby picnic tables outside.  I would pay everyones entry fee (including adults, everyone is $2), plus pay for the kids to feed the animals and ride the ponies if they want. I would also provide/buy everyone a drink there. And we could do it at a non-meal time (like 10AM before it gets hot).

I could consider cramming family members into our townhome for lunch and cake, or inviting everyone out to lunch at a nearby ChickFilA or similar, but honestly I think it would be annoying as a guest to have to drive to 2 locations.  

I'm trying to figure out how to make this work but I'm not sure its going to and I'm out of ideas...we've already done swimming and park parties, and will have to do a home party for DD later this year because of a winter bday, so I'm stumped.  

 

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Re: s/o birthday parties...

  • Honestly?  A little.  But just tell people ahead of time what you plan to do and they will know what to expect.  But if the ChickFilA is close I would not mind driving for family or a close friend, if it was just a school friend I did not know I might find it annoying since it would take a lot longer especially since there is a play area at ChickFilA (or at least there is at mine.

    Damn, this reminds me I wanted to go cheap this year and do the kids' party at ChickFilA and DS is now begging for a party at Pump It Up or Bounce U.  As a side note those places have small parties they offer at off times for 10 to 12 kids depending on the locations.

    Jen - Mom to two December 12 babies Nathaniel 12/12/06 and Addison 12/12/08
  • I just wonder what you are going to do if people bring gifts? Stick them in your car and open them at home, alone?

    I really like the petting zoo idea and I don't think cake is necessary but I think you need a place where you can all gather together.

    Lilypie Fifth Birthday tickersLilypie Pregnancy tickers

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  • I like the tradition of the birthday cake myself but that doesnt mean you have to have the traditional birthday party. I think the petting zoo sounds great. I wouldnt go through all the other stuff either. Even if its just you, him, daughter, husband, whoever, have a small cake after dinner at home on his bday. I think they just like to see their name on a cake. Doesn't matter who's eating it. Last year before my daughter started school I took her and a friends daughter to one of those kids spa things and got their toes and fingernails done. Then had cake at home with immediate family.
    Mommy of two
  • Cake aside, I'd find it odd to go to a party where all we get is a drink.  While it may not be at a meal time, I guess I'd expect at least a snack. 

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
    ~Benjamin Franklin

    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers
    DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10

  • imageLittlejen22:

    Honestly?  A little.  But just tell people ahead of time what you plan to do and they will know what to expect.  But if the ChickFilA is close I would not mind driving for family or a close friend, if it was just a school friend I did not know I might find it annoying since it would take a lot longer especially since there is a play area at ChickFilA (or at least there is at mine.

    Damn, this reminds me I wanted to go cheap this year and do the kids' party at ChickFilA and DS is now begging for a party at Pump It Up or Bounce U.  As a side note those places have small parties they offer at off times for 10 to 12 kids depending on the locations.

     

    We just went to our first party at chickfila. It was crazy hectic and people were just trying to grab tables as they came up. The kids had fun on the playground but it was super crowded. However, they did a kitchen tour for the kids and I went back to help chaperone and the kids really liked that part. They got to see the whole kitchen, got to hand a bag out the drive thru window and got to fix their own ice cream. 

     

    And yeah, I would enjoy the petting zoo but would find it odd not to do cake/snacks.  

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  • I think having something - cake, cupcakes, ice cream makes it more of a fun celebration.  Does the zoo have a concession with ice cream cones you could buy everyone?  I don't know - there is something about being able to sing Happy Birthday to the guest of honor that makes it feel more like a party. 
    Jenni Mom to DD#1 - 6-16-06 DD#2 - 3-13-08 
  • I can't believe no one has ever wanted to have a birthday party at this place before, and that they provide no place for people to gather with cake (not even a picnic table outside the gate, nothing?).  I would ask, seems like they could make a killing with birthday parties if they would accomodate (very popular around here). 
    Jack 3.5.07 / Ethan 9.17.08 / Lauren 4.3.11 image
  • imageUGAbride:
    I can't believe no one has ever wanted to have a birthday party at this place before, and that they provide no place for people to gather with cake (not even a picnic table outside the gate, nothing?).  I would ask, seems like they could make a killing with birthday parties if they would accomodate (very popular around here). 

    They do provide a picnic table...for $150. It didn't make sense to me financially when it will cost us about $30 to get in...that price doesnt include food or anything, just the ability to bring food in...I think its silly and since last year almost no one showed up to my kids party (literally 2 kids and his grandparents and 2 aunts...thats it...11 other people RSVP'd yes and didnt show) and I spent $400, I'm trying not to spend a lot this year...I learned my lesson. But I may have to just pick a new place...

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  • imagesunandsand:

    imageUGAbride:
    I can't believe no one has ever wanted to have a birthday party at this place before, and that they provide no place for people to gather with cake (not even a picnic table outside the gate, nothing?).  I would ask, seems like they could make a killing with birthday parties if they would accomodate (very popular around here). 

    They do provide a picnic table...for $150. It didn't make sense to me financially when it will cost us about $30 to get in...that price doesnt include food or anything, just the ability to bring food in...I think its silly and since last year almost no one showed up to my kids party (literally 2 kids and his grandparents and 2 aunts...thats it...11 other people RSVP'd yes and didnt show) and I spent $400, I'm trying not to spend a lot this year...I learned my lesson. But I may have to just pick a new place...

    In this situation, where you are inviting basically family, I think going to the petting zoo, then having everyone back at your place or a local park even if not close, would be nice. For family, we are willing to do just about anything. That includes my SIL's brilliant idea of having her kids party at 3 different places (a park, then a place for lunch, then a place for cake - all separate).

  • imagepeekaboo716:
    imagesunandsand:

    imageUGAbride:
    I can't believe no one has ever wanted to have a birthday party at this place before, and that they provide no place for people to gather with cake (not even a picnic table outside the gate, nothing?).  I would ask, seems like they could make a killing with birthday parties if they would accomodate (very popular around here). 

    They do provide a picnic table...for $150. It didn't make sense to me financially when it will cost us about $30 to get in...that price doesnt include food or anything, just the ability to bring food in...I think its silly and since last year almost no one showed up to my kids party (literally 2 kids and his grandparents and 2 aunts...thats it...11 other people RSVP'd yes and didnt show) and I spent $400, I'm trying not to spend a lot this year...I learned my lesson. But I may have to just pick a new place...

    In this situation, where you are inviting basically family, I think going to the petting zoo, then having everyone back at your place or a local park even if not close, would be nice. For family, we are willing to do just about anything. That includes my SIL's brilliant idea of having her kids party at 3 different places (a park, then a place for lunch, then a place for cake - all separate).

    lol 3 places? That would get an eye roll from me... 

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