Birthday party question

JuneBug86

It's only on my mind today because I realized there are a lot of birthday parties to go to in the upcoming weeks with many of the kids at our play group. It got me thinking...

DS was born mid November, and I'm due at the end of October. These little brothers will have their birthdays about 1.5-2 weeks apart. My brother and I have our birthdays exactly one week apart, and growing up we always had our birthday parties together. As a kid I understood the logic, my parents couldn't afford 2 parties in December with Xmas just around the corner, but it was somewhat disappointing that I never got to have a party on my actual birthday, and it wasn't as special of day for me because my older brother usually stole the show. I did get over it as I got older though, and just got used to it.

So now I think about my kids' birthdays and I debate whether or not I will do the same. Birthday parties are expensive, and it might get annoying to family and friends to plan to attend two birthday parties so close together, especially with most of our family that live 3 hours away and they would be travelling here for it every year. 

I obviously have a long time to think about it, but I'm torn. Logically, I should just have them together every year, but I don't want either of my sons to feel like they got gipped on their big day. Especially when they are young and don't really understand. What do you think?

Alexandrap

You could alternate on who's birthday to do the party every year so they both get to feel special.

JuneBug86

carriet2018:DH and our baby will have the same bdays or a few days apart. I know it isn't the same as two kids. but I make a big deal about bdays so it is kind of annoying for me...and October is jam packed with bdays in our family...so I will have one party for the both of them. then just do something special individually (i.e. pick a weekend to go to the casino with DH, take DD shopping or to get pedicures or whatever else she may like).

That's a good idea, thanks! 

Arod1087

Me, my sister, my brother, my dad and soon to be my little girl will all have October birthdays. We usually do just one big Fam bday and then do things on the side with our own friends. When I was little my mom always did a friends bday for each of us. It was nothing crazy. Usually just a sleep over and rent a movie. But it made me have my own day which was nice :

CrazyCatWoman

Hold a joint family one and then later when they are in school with friends hold a friends one for each child. I know some parents go all out, but it does not mean you have to. You can do a low key few games (or crafts), cake and ice cream for the kids.

I have June, August, Sept, New baby in October, and 2 in November. Plus there are 4 other close family birthdays in September and November. The last half of the year is very busy for us.

If expense is part of it, why not set up a dedicated savings account and put in a certain amount every pay period. Save all year for it and then split the cost between the parties. We actually do this for Christmas since we have a large family.

StayingSecret

I guess I'd still do a "immediate family" party on each of their birthdays - like a cake and a gift from you guys.  If you do a party that year for both of them, then it's like an additional time to celebrate where they can open gifts from other family members and have even more cake!

jen-and-ryon

My due date is 11 days apart from my sons birthday, so I'm also wondering how birthday parties will go at our house.

SweetTeaMom

You could do half birthdays for the older one - that would be a fun summer party. I had a few growing up since I'm a turkey baby. Whenever by bday fell on T-day, my mom would give me a half bday party so I wouldn't get lost in the mix. Genius on her behalf IMO. When I was little, I cared. As I got older, I was happy with bday cake for dessert after Tday dinner.

We decided to only do big parties w/friends every four years with dd. The bdays in between would just be a family day out. With multiple children, that would help stagger the expense, too.

MrsShankly1012

I'm in the same boat as you (my due date is one week before DS's birthday).  My brother and my birthdays are a little over two weeks apart, and this was never really an issue growing up for us because for birthdays my mom would just do a cake on the day and then a friends party.  I think we'll end up doing the same thing.  If you have a huge extended family and usually do big birthdays, then I would do a joint family party, and then smaller friends parties closer to the actual birthday.