If your kids attend a fancy private school, would it be looked down to have a home birthday party?

[Anonymous]

I want to invite kids in class to our home and just have a casual party with good food and cake. No entertainment. No planned activities. When I was a kid, this was the norm in my circles. I personally hate venue parties. I don't want to drive to st james, skyzone or some trampoline place in herndon.

[Anonymous]

Just make sure to serve the Grey Poupon on the hot dogs and you’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

I bet you're one of those people who only feeds the kids too.

Kidding.

OP, no one cares...and if someone does, then they're cray. Most people will probably be jealous that you're so secure that you don't feel that you have to put on a show.

[Anonymous]

No. The kids don't really care. I choose venue parties simply because I don't want to have all those children in my home, not to be fancy, but if you don't mind the work and chaos, go for it.

[Anonymous]

Nothing wrong with home parties but there needs to be an activity . Bounce house, face painting, art project, etc.

[Anonymous]

Most people who have out of the home parties just don't want to deal with all that goes along with having a party at home. It's more work.

I love to have at home birthday parties, but the first time DH took a kid to a bouncy place party, he saw the light. Now we negotiate every year, lol!

[Anonymous]

I think the reason people do fancy parties is because they are worried wtf are we going to do for two hours at my house? I’m in the same situation. I guess the answer is “play, that’s what kids do.” But I’ve noticed in this area parents and kids seem to need an organized activity, like a bounce house rental at least, or things get very awkward.

[Anonymous]

My kids attend a fancy private school and we have gone to many birthday parties at people's homes. I have never been to one with nothing specific for the kids to do, however. There's face painting, bounce houses, petting zoos, crafts, scavenger hunts, etc.

[Anonymous]

Honestly it’s the richest parents at my elite private who have home parties. I can’t fit that many people in my house personally!!

[Anonymous]

"Fancy private school" here. We have hosted and been to several home birthday parties but there is ALWAYS something for the kids to do.

It's not a just a massive, unorganized play date.

[Anonymous]

Unless your house already provides entertainment - pool, arcade, stables, bounce house, I think kids older than K would need something to “do” or they will find something and it won’t be what you want.

[Anonymous]

My DD has always insisted on at home parties. For K I did have a broad activity but mostly its been free play type parties. (Honestly I'd find venue parties much easier and worth cost but DD loves having friends at our home-and I'd say our house one of the most modest homes of her friends.) The last two years 5/6 grade have been sleepovers. Kids just show up. Option of movie never actually happened.. One other kid in her class does at home bday party and one family hosts a start of year party another end of year. These two home are huge and all kids and parents invited. Rest of kids in this private has done venue parties but the feeling is do what works for you/your kids.

[Anonymous]

Not really on your question, but thank you, OP, I feel the same way! I love home parties. I love that it seems like both kids and adults can have fun. I went to my first venue party recently and I was like, wait a second, I thought we were all going to get to have some fun this afternoon, but instead I spent the afternoon basically supervising my daughter at a gymnastics class.

[Anonymous]

You need to have some planned activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to have some planned activities.

No you don't!! Kids love the novelty to have the freedom to just hang out. Two hours will go by way too fast for them. You'd still have cake & singing but they will enjoy being kids