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[Bantambabe]

ooo, Patricia, I like the seeds idea!

 

I can imagine sunflowers popping up all over the village.

[Bassett]

I might pinch the seeds idea for DD's party next week.

[Jules.]

It's a great idea for a party

 

both my boys are winter babies, too cold to do something like that then

[Karen & co.]

Fantastic idea I love the thoughts of the seeds growing for months afterwards reminding everyone where they came from

 

Karen x

[Alis girls]

Sounds fun can we all come?

[Lesley]

It's a great idea Debs, I'm sure they will all enjoy it.

 

It only needs a few parent to do something different and the whole 'big party' thing should die a death - which can only be a good thing in my book. Children have far more fun doing fun things which don't cost too much.

[Yorkshire Pudding]

Couldn't agree more. ES is ten tomorrow and after a few years of parties at play centres etc., the last four or five parties have been smaller at home affairs - at their request.

 

DS1 is having four friends over for an evening's play and watching of DVDs, with a paella cooked by OH (in the garden over the fire if it doesn't rain, in the kitchen if it does), and a sleep-over. Bring your own sleeping bags and toothbrush - lights out at ten pm!

 

 

They all love them and have lost interest in Laser Quest and the like for birthdays (thank goodness).

 

 

 

You have a great idea there and I'm sure they'll love it. Can I be forgiven if I also pinch the seeds idea for party bags? My 2 lads love growing things, especially if they're edible, so it would be very appropriate for us too.

[Bantambabe]

Well, party day has dawned - an hour til we go - and the picnic is packed. Unfortunately it is absolutely chucking it down with rain, so the picnic might be on the lounge floor when we get home, just us!

Have had no untoward comment from the other parents though, and those that aren't picnicking have organised several kids to a car to get there so I don't think there'll be an issue.

 

YS had a great birthday on friday though and is totally made up with his present - an electronic drum kit (plus headphones! - thanks mum ) - this despite spending Thursday eve in A&E with suspected broken jaw. It wasn't, just bruised fortunately.

[Fizzle Knit]

Have a great time all of you, rain or no rain!

[TAJ]

Cost and party fun are not always directly linked. We have had great parties at home - building a pirate ship in the garden for a themed 10 yr olds party, walks up the hill, murder mystery party, or just an old fashioned party games when she was younger.

 

Even those out at venues can be good value - I remember a great one we did taking 8 kids to Cadbury's World - their party price is not much above the entry and includes the food - I just provided empty party bags for them to fill with chocolate they got on the way around.

 

So forget 'keeping up with the Jones' just plan a fun time within your budget - I know a lot of kids around us have been offered the cash in place of a party (i.e. we have x amount to spend on your birthday, a party will cost y of that and they seem to choose a bigger present over having a party) - personally this is not for me as at 14yrs old we still plan a party type event.

 

Tracy

[Bassett]

Can't wait to hear how it went. Hope you had a really good time.

[Bantambabe]

Swim went really well - kids were amazed at having the beach pool and slides etc all to ourselves; it's usually really crowded, but we had just 16 kids and 6 adults (altho one of those behaved like a kid )

 

Other parents enjoyed it and one of them suggested we book it again for a church family event.

 

Picnic was a wash out! It was p***ing down and there were no areas under cover. The other 2 families that had planned to join us decided to go home and we also came home, albeit with a couple of extra kids and picnicked on the dining table. It gave YS a chance to show off his new drum kit to his friends tho so he was quite happy.

 

Hoping to avoid all the heartache etc with DD birthday in Sept. She'll be 8 and her b'day is on the day we're holding a church party with bbq, dancing etc. Her best friend will be there anyway so she'll probably be quite happy with that.

 

Thanks for all your support and positive comments - you're right, I shouldn't have worried. The kids had a great time and that's what it's all for anyway.

[chick wiggle]

when my daughter was 10, funds were tight so we had a party at home and asked Macdonalds if we could buy some of the kids meal boxes. They gave me 20 for free!!

I just filled them with a couple of sandwiches, sausage rolls, etc and the kids loved them. So no washing up, plates or anything like that.

They said we could have bought the gifts that go in them but as i said funds were tight so we didnt but the kids never even mentioned the lack of gifts.

It might be worth asking your local macdonalds.

Good luck and just enjoy the day!

 

Ooops sorry, a bit late, must not have turned the page but maybe bear in mind for next party