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Anonymous wrote:Unless they decide they want a joint party, two parties. Each kid gets their own party.

Yep. But we don’t throw lavish events - cupcakes from a box, a Costco thing of chips, and a playground = party.

Ugh. I hate those parties. Especially the ones like that where you are expected to bring a gift.

+ 1. I’m sorry, PP, but I really hate those parties too unless it’s absolutely a no gift party.

DP but what's wrong with that kind of a party? What does a gift have to do with the type of party thrown?

It’s a gift-grab. My kids go to that park twice a week and having cupcakes there isn’t special or worthy of the parents spending $25 bucks for a gift.

I'm so grateful for my group of down-to-earth like-minded parents that absolutely throw these kinds of parties. The kids have a blast and its all good.

Its also surprising to me that people actually expect gifts at kids birthday parties in this region still. I can't remember the last one I've been to where anyone has brought a gift.

I have seen PP in other birthday threads if people have chill birthday parties and don't serve a full meal. Its so stupid. The point of a birthday is to celebrate a child not to bean count the cost benefit analysis of buying a gift.

We also do no gift parties and (my kids get gifts from their nuclear familygrandparents and aunts/uncle's and that's plenty)

“Chill birthday parties” or “cheap birthday parties”? NP here and cupcakes in the park just isn’t special.

Anonymous wrote:I’m also confused as to why their being born within a few weeks of each other would impact how many birthday parties they get? You noted that you’re talking about friend versus family parties so it’s not like the guest list would overlap. You’re would end up paying the same amount per year regardless of whether your kids have parties a couple weeks or 6 months apart. It’s just a question of budgeting appropriately.

For us the guest list would definitely overlap with family friends and extended family (lots of cousins). We do fairly special parties with full meals for everyone, entertainment, and invite the child’s entire class. Every year with their birthdays a month apart would be too much. On the off year, like others have said, the kid gets a special event outing.

We alternate years and our kids b-days aren’t close together. We always have. One year they get a party and the next year they get a special outing. My older child, now 8, always just wanted the outing. We do a special dinner with cake and presents on their actual birthday.

When we do a party, it includes a full meal for adults and kids and some form of entertainment for the kids. I’m not a fan of the cupcake and pizza parties at the park either. They just are not special.

I’m also confused as to why their being born within a few weeks of each other would impact how many birthday parties they get? You noted that you’re talking about friend versus family parties so it’s not like the guest list would overlap. You’re would end up paying the same amount per year regardless of whether your kids have parties a couple weeks or 6 months apart. It’s just a question of budgeting appropriately.

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Anonymous wrote:Unless they decide they want a joint party, two parties. Each kid gets their own party.

Yep. But we don’t throw lavish events - cupcakes from a box, a Costco thing of chips, and a playground = party.

Ugh. I hate those parties. Especially the ones like that where you are expected to bring a gift.

+ 1. I’m sorry, PP, but I really hate those parties too unless it’s absolutely a no gift party.

DP but what's wrong with that kind of a party? What does a gift have to do with the type of party thrown?

It’s a gift-grab. My kids go to that park twice a week and having cupcakes there isn’t special or worthy of the parents spending $25 bucks for a gift.

I'm so grateful for my group of down-to-earth like-minded parents that absolutely throw these kinds of parties. The kids have a blast and its all good.

Its also surprising to me that people actually expect gifts at kids birthday parties in this region still. I can't remember the last one I've been to where anyone has brought a gift.

I have seen PP in other birthday threads if people have chill birthday parties and don't serve a full meal. Its so stupid. The point of a birthday is to celebrate a child not to bean count the cost benefit analysis of buying a gift.

We also do no gift parties and (my kids get gifts from their nuclear familygrandparents and aunts/uncle's and that's plenty)

Mine are two days apart and they both had parties every year untiil they were about 12. Then just if they wanted something or not. Otherwise, I think you're just being lazy.

Anonymous wrote:Why would you alternate years for birthday parties?

I’m genuinely curious. Why not just have small parties for both or a joint party every year?

My kids love and wait for their birthdays every year. My kids bday is one day apart. They would be upset watching their sibling have a party and then having to wait a full year to celebrate theirs.

Some families alternate between a birthday party and an outing with one or two friends

Mine are 28 days apart but given the difference of ages and friendships wouldn't do a joint birthday

I have three within 3 weeks of each other. No twins. Everyone gets a party. It’s exhausting and expensive.

Why would you alternate years for birthday parties?

I’m genuinely curious. Why not just have small parties for both or a joint party every year?

My kids love and wait for their birthdays every year. My kids bday is one day apart. They would be upset watching their sibling have a party and then having to wait a full year to celebrate theirs.

I have two boys that are two weeks and two years apart. We have always done one big party for both of them at our house. We try to pick the weekend in the middle. It worked really well in preschool when most of their friends had siblings the same age. The invite list got bigger in early elementary when it wasn’t mostly sibling pairs anymore. I do think my oldest is going to want to switch to a small sleepover or outing in the next year or two and when that happens we’ll gladly roll with it because it seems more manageable to do that twice rather than the big blow out party twice.

Each kid does get a special dinner and family presents on their actual birthdays.

3 girls all born within 2 days of each other. So. Much. Cake. I power through it and make sure each child feels special and they have a wonderful birthday. It is what it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless they decide they want a joint party, two parties. Each kid gets their own party.

Yep. But we don’t throw lavish events - cupcakes from a box, a Costco thing of chips, and a playground = party.

Ugh. I hate those parties. Especially the ones like that where you are expected to bring a gift.

Then decline the invite.

Kids 4 days apart. We did joint parties for a few years, then separate parties on same weekend so family could be present for both. Now that they’re older, they just want to hang with their friends so we don’t invite family any more.

We alternate years and kids birthdays aren’t close together. One year a party and the next year a special outing with a family birthday celebration. Works out better for everyone.