I wouldn't do it for any of my four. I would tell people you don't expect ANY presents not "encourage smaller gifts/gift sharing"
I would find it odd to let a child have their party months prior to their party.
Me - J.R. - 05/1986
DH - J.I. - 08/1986
Married - 09/22/2006
DD#1 - A.E. - 12/15/2009
DD#2 - N.R. - 11/07/2011
DD#3 - S.R. - 05/20/2013
DS - R.E. - 10/03/2014
Absolutely in love with our 'big' family!
I'm also a proud Auntie to a crazy little girl, her brand new baby sister, a little man on his way in the next month, and a sweet little mister we will miss forever!!!
If the kids were all born the same month maybe, but 4 months apart is really stretching it and it does come off kind of cheap and gift grabby. I know it shouldn't be looked at like this, but you're looking for 3 gifts and you're providing 1 party. Of course if you have triplets it's a different story, but in your case, just kind of cheap. I also don't think this will go over for long with your kids. They're going to want their own party as they get older. How will you handle a theme? Maybe you should reconsider who you're inviting. For my kids 1st birthdays we invited all of our family, but after that we've kept it to our siblings and parents, not aunts, uncles, ect. Soon they're really going to want their birthdays to be about their friends anyway.
My first two are July 12th and 15th, so this year their 2nd and 1st bday parties will be done together.. Baby 3 is due in September, so will likely always have a separate party because there's a 2 month difference..
My 2 have birthdays 7 days apart. I will likely always throw them a together birthday. If we have another my hope is that that ones birthday would be further from the others so that we could do a separate party.
Re: 3 under 3 - 1 Birthday Party?
I would find it odd to let a child have their party months prior to their party.