Well, with a Dec. birthday, I have yet to have a friend birthday party for my daughter in Dec. To date we have done family parties and once we did a half-birthday party in the summer. Now that she is a school girl, i'd like to have a friend party for her near her actual birthday for once (can't do it on her actual birthday which happens to be a Sat in mid Dec). But truly, the weekend conflicts are endless! Her cousins have Dec. parties, her church class has a Christmas party, my husband's business and his contract companies have parties……it does not end. I have two options here, pack it all into one weekend to total three parties (i only am throwing the one, just have to show up to the others), driving an hour to two of them, or pick a week day. Before I pick the week day however, I just want to know what the feel is for a weekday birthday party. I kind of like the idea. We'd do it from 3:30-7 and I would provide a meal. Thanks for the input.
( I'm inviting 25 families given the season knowing many can't show. But if most of them show, yikes! )
(I'm not too set on the length of time of the party, my point being I don't want anyone to stay after 7)
my daughters school is a private hybrid home school. Parents pick up their kids and parents home school 3 out of 5 days, so I am dealing with mostly SAHM's. We invite families, not just the classmate for a few reasons: I am sympathetic to the younger sibling and weekend time is family time for parents of young children, so my philosopy is all or none. Most of our social circle are people we have gone to church with since our children were toddling. So birthday parties are opportunities for fellowship. I am colliding two world for the first time: our church family and now school friends. We have not entered the era of drop off parties yet. So far these are opportunities to get to know the families and I prefer this to the whole drop of party scene, which is coming soon enough.
Just an idea-- but what about doing a small family birthday party in Dec and then doing a bigger friend one in June before school ends and call it a half-birthday party? Those are pretty common here. Plus, then you have the option of doing it outside, too.
From the other parents perspective. Unless your a stay at home mom or third shift worker there is no way a parent could do this kind of party. Most don't get home from work before 5:30 or 6.
if it's a friend party why are you inviting whole families? Usually when you hit school age they are drop off parties. I just think this is a little strange time wise. My kids would have had to RSVP no to this.
I have a son who's birthday is Jan 5 we always celebrated with family on Christmas and a friend party the second week in Jan. Invites went out the day he went back from Christmas break.
My birthday is Dec 26.
I never had a friend birthday party.
Usually we did a classroom thing where I brought cupcakes to school the last day before winter break began.
Even then it was tough because people would start leaving school a day or so early to go on vacation (travel plans, etc).
We had a few family parties.
And once my sister was about 7 yrs old my Mom began a tradition of us dressing up and going to a very nice restaurant on the weekend that was closest to the birthday.
You could try a weekday party but people have a hard time working out school, and after school and work commuting.
You'll get some people but not everyone will be able to make it.
Having a party later in January might work out best.
I don't love the idea of a weekday party, but it's not the end of the world especially if you know most families have a stay at home parent who would be available in the afternoon. So I say go for it. My only real piece of advice is that 3.5 hours is too long for a 6 year old's party. Every party my girls (6 year old twins) have been invited to that's over two hours ends up being a bit of a nightmare. Either the kids get too spun up, or they get bored, or there isn't much of a party atmosphere because half the people come early and leave early and the other half come late and leave late. So - limit the party to 4-6 or whatever two hour window you like (earlier is better because some 6 year olds go to bed at 7 or 7:30).
One of my daughters had a December birthday and planning a party in December is a nightmare. Between holiday parties, school concerts, church functions, etc people are on overload the for month. We use to wait until the 2nd or 3rd Saturday in January to throw her party. it worked out great because really nothing is going on in January so most of her friends always came.
My 2nd grandson is also a December birthday boy. My daughter does a January birthday for him. She has a just family cake and ice cream on the actual day but the party is in January.
if the people invited are all part of the co-op, and it isn't a school day, I don't see a problem.
I HS, and I always throw week day parties. What's the point of HSing if you can't do such things ;-)
I'd pack it into a weekend. Families with working parents won't be able to come, or those who may have sports practices, or homework, etc. Weekdays are just too hectic for many people!
I am ok with a Friday afternoon party, but I would not be happy about a party on Monday - Thursday. It's just too busy with school and homework. The kids would be too tired at school the next day after a 3.5 hour party. I also think 3:30 - 7:00 is too long at this age. Keep it to 2 - 2.5 hours max.
Why don't you do it the day before your daughter's real birthday from 3:30 - 6:00? I wouldn't object to that as a guest. I would probably say no to a party on a Wednesday from 3:30 - 7:00 though. For the record, my son is also 6.
We had a weekday party one year when my son wanted to do Lazer Tag (it was cheaper during the week.) School got out an hour earlier on Mondays, so I planned the party then (from like 3 to 5) and most of the kids invited showed up.
But we did not do dinner, just light snacks and of course cake. I assumed most families would want their kids home for dinner.
You might think about that, I wouldn't be too crazy dealing with a wound up six year old on a school night, and if they are partying for three and a half hours they WILL be wound up, that's a LONG party on any day, but especially a school day!
I think that's a good idea, but because she can't have any friends spend the night I would definitely make it a good one with lots of games and activities.
I'd do a Saturday morning party before I'd consider a weekday party during the school year. Do a 10-12 party and what would it interfere with? Or do a weekday party during their winter vacation the week after Christmas.
I actually did a weekday party but it was in the summer at a bouncy house 6-8 p.m. But no school to worry about.
I didn't really understand the part that you wanted to have a friends party for the first time but you were inviting 25 families. I'd have her invite her friends only, if it's a friends party.
Working parents of 6 year olds can not typically get their child to a party at 3:30 in the afternoon. Once they are off work, between homework and school night bedtimes, I think weekday parties are not a good idea.
I suggest you plan the party for Saturday and let the others know you may be late.
Weekday. Have kids take bus to your house and have parents pick up. I would limit it to just about six of her good friends. Not everyone in the class. Pick up could be based on each individual parent. Always worked well for us. For non working moms, kids could be dropped off. Weekend parties I. dec. seems too much.
Just read 25 families for a six year old! Just let her invite six friends. Why 25 families. A friend party is just that; her friends.
Why so long? 2 hours max. i would do 4-6p if many moms are SAHM, if not 5-7p. 25 families is way too many though! This will cost you a fortune unless your family is helping w all the cooking.
I have a friend who's son has a mid December birthday and I have 2 granson's with December birthdays. My friends son has his birthday party in January when they come back from Christmas Break. He just gives everyone their "hold the date" cards before they go on break then sends out the invites as soon as they come back.
My oldest grandson is 14 11/12 and he only wants to get together with his closest friends and hang out, pizza party with a bunch of video games or some new movie on the big TV.
The grandson that is younger and has a December birthday always has his party near his date. It's at the beginning of the month so that does make it easier.
We're thinking about the venue already. We'll do it inside and on a Saturday. Full class invited.
