Every year. Many times they are at a place - bowling, ASPCA, pottery place, etc.

Anonymous wrote:DD 12 still wants one - escape room or sleepover, that kind of thing.

I find that an event space is way easier than an at-home party, I am not sure why people act like having a bunch of people over is effortless.

+ 1.

A good home party is not effortless. It is a lot of work and I did not half-ass it either.

I have always had my party support system in place for the day of. But much before the party - I had to plan the whole deep cleaning, rearranging of furniture, games, entertainment, pictures, cake, groceries, goody bags, decorations - and flow of the party. It was a huge production.

Remember - every nice thing, someone has worked their butt off for it.

I threw huge birthday parties for my kids. I just loved it so much. When they were younger it was at home. Catered affairs, parents, siblings, entertainment, wine/beer for adults, full meals. When they were in middle school, it started being in venues - and we probably did every kind of birthday party you could think of.

Was it lots of work. Yes. But I loved it.

Now my kids are adults. I still send them money $$$ before their birthday and whenever they are home, the whole extended family is invited for a nice dinner either at our home or a restaurant of choice.

Anonymous wrote:DD 12 still wants one - escape room or sleepover, that kind of thing.

I find that an event space is way easier than an at-home party, I an not sure why people act like Iike having a bunch of people over is effortless.

+1 keep the mess at the venue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your post title is asking about "too much work" re: bday parties, but youre not asking about a conventional kid party at your house or the nearby Sky Zone.

You're talking about a formal bday party for your kid??
"Formal" as in a quincera?

Skyzone, bounce house, etc. not just in your backyard with mostly family and two neighborhood kids. Clearly everyone else knows what I was referring to.

I have 3 kids. I have always thrown parties for them. I don’t find planning a birthday party stressful at all. If it is at a venue, it is easy. You just pay for the venue, send out invitations, buy some favors, food and some decorations.

We have also done home parties and that is a lot more work. Venue parties are easy.s

Do what works for your family.
One of our kids still wants a party. One wants an experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your post title is asking about "too much work" re: bday parties, but youre not asking about a conventional kid party at your house or the nearby Sky Zone.

You're talking about a formal bday party for your kid??
"Formal" as in a quincera?

Skyzone, bounce house, etc. not just in your backyard with mostly family and two neighborhood kids. Clearly everyone else knows what I was referring to.

NP. I didn’t know what you were referring to and was wondering if you meant parties at home or what. Are you feeling stressed, OP?
Parties can be as simple and streamlined as you want them to be. This is true whether you have it at home or at a party location. If you want people to help figure out how to make your life easier with respect to hosting birthday parties, let us know what your sticking points are and maybe we can help.

DD 12 still wants one - escape room or sleepover, that kind of thing.

I find that an event space is way easier than an at-home party, I an not sure why people act like Iike having a bunch of people over is effortless.

Anonymous wrote:Your post title is asking about "too much work" re: bday parties, but youre not asking about a conventional kid party at your house or the nearby Sky Zone.

You're talking about a formal bday party for your kid??
"Formal" as in a quincera?

Skyzone, bounce house, etc. not just in your backyard with mostly family and two neighborhood kids. Clearly everyone else knows what I was referring to.

Your post title is asking about "too much work" re: bday parties, but youre not asking about a conventional kid party at your house or the nearby Sky Zone.

You're talking about a formal bday party for your kid??
"Formal" as in a quincera?

Family only until K. Then just a few chosen friends (like 5 or less.) It doesn’t have to be some whole class Pinterest party.

Big whole class bdays until 1st grade.

Then 2nd grade on, smaller bdays with a small group of friends.

DS is now finishing 6th and same plan until high school graduation.

Yes, only child

I did until they stopped wanting them, around 11.

Curious how many of you throw birthday parties for your kids every year? Like a formal event with many friends, not just family.