Toddlers: 24 Months+

3 yr old bday party or not

I am 31 wks pregnant and my DS turns 3 in 2 weeks. Debating whether I should just have grandparents, aunts & uncles over for a cake,etc. or if I should have a regular cookout like I have done in the past where I extend the invite to more family/friends. DS knows his bday is coming but I don't think he would really care how big/small or what we do. Did you have a bday party for LO at 3 or did you simplify while LO was young? 
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Re: 3 yr old bday party or not

  • kalettekalette member
    edited July 2014
    I would do whatever you usually do. I was 36 weeks for DD 2nd birthday and it was fine. DH helped a ton and she had a blast.
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  • I was 9 weeks pregnant (sick and exhausted) when my kiddo turned 3. Even though it was mostly planned and I had already purchased a lot of the supplies, I decided to just skip it this year and invite a couple of his friends to the waterpark for the day. He had a blast and I don't regret it at all. But if you want to and you think you're up for it, then go ahead and have a big party. I don't think your son will mind either way.
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  • I'll be about 38 weeks pregnant when DD turns 3, and I'm still planning to have a family cookout like we have for her last two birthdays.  There's only about 12-15 people who come, and they're all family and close family friends and willing to help out if I need it.
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  • Keep it simple. Just invited close family members over for cake and ice cream. Buy a couple of balloons to decorate. Your LO will be just as happy.
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  • DS turns 3 the week after my due date (I'm due Oct. 17 and DS' birthday is Oct. 25!), so I'm thinking we won't be throwing him a party. ;) He'll have a cake and open presents from us and anything family sends, but I'm NOT entertaining at 41wks pregnant/just home from the hospital. Hehe
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  • We're having a party, but that's kind of our thing.  I don't think you need a party - big or small, for a birthday.  As long as you make a big deal about the day, and celebrate your son, he probably won't care.  And cake.  There should be cake.
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  • We're having a party, but that's kind of our thing.  I don't think you need a party - big or small, for a birthday.  As long as you make a big deal about the day, and celebrate your son, he probably won't care.  And cake.  There should be cake.
    ha ha this is kind of what I have been juggling back and forth about. Definitely CAKE!...said the pregnant women!
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  • shannmshannm member
    I didn't have anything resembling a party till he was four. And that one was big because his sister was a newborn and I wanted him to feel special. If you don't feel like it, don't do it. No reason to have a big party every year.
  • We did a very small party for him for his first two birthdays but are hoping to do a bigger one when he turns three. I figured I'd wait until he was more aware to do something bigger. I would honestly do whatever you feel comfortable with. You should be able to pull off a cookout but I would say ask for help if you need to. Or you can go smaller. It's really up to you. Like you said, I don't think your son would care either way.
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  • we always to our parent, siblings, and their kids, for the 1st birthday we include our aunts and uncles.  It seems so mean not to have a party for a kid's birthday.  3 is the 1st year I think they get that it's their birthday, so that year we did something with her friends at daycare too.  I'm a very go with the flow type of person.  I was 34 weeks pregnant when DD turned 2 and it never occured to me to do anything different for her birthday. 
  • fitmom82 said:
     It seems so mean not to have a party for a kid's birthday. 
    Mean?  I think that's a bit of an exaggeration.  Give a 3 year old a present, a balloon, and a cupcake and they're going to be overjoyed.  Spend the entire day playing with them and telling them how special they are, and they're going to be elated.  A party is a nice way to celebrate, but it isn't the only way.
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  • shannmshannm member
    edited July 2014


    fitmom82 said:

     It seems so mean not to have a party for a kid's birthday. 

    Mean?  I think that's a bit of an exaggeration.  Give a 3 year old a present, a balloon, and a cupcake and they're going to be overjoyed.  Spend the entire day playing with them and telling them how special they are, and they're going to be elated.  A party is a nice way to celebrate, but it isn't the only way.


    I totally agree that it is so not mean. Especially at three and below. At four and up, then you start dealing with peer pressure. I remember having two birthday parties growing up, one at seven and one at sixteen. I turned out just fine.

  • I had DD #1's 2nd b-day party with an 8 week old. We invited the usual guests, but I had it at Monkey Joe's. That way I didn't have to worry about cleaning the house before or after. It was worth it!
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