hi gals, i need to know, am i crazy for just wanting to serve icecream and cake and maybe a veggie/fruit tray at my son and daughters 1 and 3 year birthday parties??? my hubby is in iraq and i have two parites in less than 2months and since my daughter wanted dora, i am trying to cut cost and not have to cook. i want this to be simple and painless yet fun. and i dont want to do party favors either. am i nuts? what do you think? i am doing dora pinata with candy bags.
No, you are NOT nuts, especially with the 1 year old. Your son isn't going to remember his birthday anyway, it's more about the the guests anyway, so why not keep it simple?
For the 3 year old, keeping it simple is totally ok. Some Dora plates and cups, cake and ice cream with the pinata and candy are totally appropriate. At that age, it doesn't take much to make them happy, really.
With your husband in Iraq, the important thing to do is take lots of pictures so he can share in the experience too. I'm sure it's got to be difficult trying to raise your little ones with your husband so far away. Thank you so very much for making the ultimate sacrifice so your husband can help keep the world safe. May God bless your family bless you and keep you safe.
Blessings to you, Megan
You are not even close to ''''crazy'''' --- so here's my suggestion--- just be really clear with your invitations that this is going to be ''fun and simple''' --- when you talk to parents --- explain that their child will be offered cake, ice cream and perhaps some fruit- ( with whatever beverage you are planning) -- and will be bringing home a small bag of candy--unless they eat it at the party-- . AND --- be happy in the knowledge that you are doing what works for your family- There's NOTHING crazy about sharing joy in ways that do NOT break your budget between now and Christmas---.
You are one smart cookie- and you can quote me on that.
Old Mom
aka- Judy ( and P.s--- I'll keep you and yours in my prayers--- have a son-in-law who has been to Iraq three times -- and is quite likely to volunteer to return this fall)
I honestly think it is not a bad/crazy thing at all...I would suggest however to make sure that the parties are not during Lunch/Dinner times. have it early 10:00 so its done before lunch or have an early afternoon starting at 1:00 party to avoid hungry kids.
My thoughts on parties is my kids hardly ever eat when we are at a birthday party anyway...I think it is pretty similar for most kids! Have fun! Our two are very close together also (2 months) and it is no easy task and very hard on the wallet!
Make sure it is not during meal times, and to be honest I would not schedule the party for more than 1-2 hours if cake and ice cream is the whole event. Who's on your guest list makes a difference too, if there are alot of toddlers, you may want to be conscious of afternoon parties interfering with nap times. How many people on the guest list matters as well. Is it reasonable for everyone to make the trip for 1-2 hours?
So a pinata, cake and ice cream, & presents can be done in two hours if you are well organized. Good luck!
I agree with the other Moms, absolutely nothing wrong with cake and ice cream only...just make it clear on the invitation so parents are not caught by surprise ('serving cake & ice cream'). We were going to do the same for our one year old's birthday but decided to add pizza prior to the event because we had a long party with out of town guests staying in our home (we needed to feed them anyways ;o)).
No, you're not nuts. That's perfectly appropriate!
Hi Kristen,
I think just ice cream and cake is just fine. I would just plan the party after lunch time. That way the kids will have already eaten lunch before they come and won't be hungry. You also said you didn't want to do party favors, in my opinon people spend way to much money on little toys that really do not get played with and are a waste of money at those ages. My son is 6 now and I did the whole "big" party and have realize that less is just find for kids! ;)
Have fun!
Amy M.
Hi Kirsten,
that is just fine. I just did my little girl's birthday and the four year olds hardly ate anything. I had the party from 3-5, perfect time for a snack of cake and ice cream (and a few veggies). Then they went home and ate dinner. I think sometimes we all just get carried away with planning the party. I think they enjoy the themed parties at a little older age. The girls just played together without a big program.
As long as you are not over a meal time and keep the party at 1-2 hours cake/ice cream is plenty. Also, candy bags from a pinata is a party favor. You can turn it into an activity by letting each kid decorate a small (keep it small so it seems full) bag. A few years ago, I bought small buckets at the Target dollar bin for each kid to collect the candy and then keep the bucket for play.
Ice cream and cake is great. I would skip buying the piñata if you want to save cost and make your own. I checked out piñatas last night when shopping for my daughters party and say that at toys r us they cost 20!!! If you have time they are easy to make. If you want to do party favors for really cheap go to the dollar tree and you can get bunches for a few dollars.
I think there's nothing wrong with just serving cake and ice cream. Just make the party time right after lunch. And the candy bags is plenty to take home. Some birthday parties are just over the top nowadays. It takes away from the purpose of having the party in the first place. Good luck.
It sounds like more than enough. If you want to make it even easier - skip the goodie bags and ask folks to bring an unwrapped children's book for a book swap - we went to a party where they did this and it was great
Kristen,
You are on the right track. I fell for the "have to have a big party" last year for my twins 1yr old party. So much work and you don't get to enjoy the party with that many people and they won't remember it anyhow. Last month for their 2yr old party, we did cake, pizza and few dollar store bubbles and just family and one set of twins family who we are close to. It was relaxing and we all enjoyed it.
Also, with your husband gone, do what makes it easy for you.
Good Luck
Hi Kristen,
I just wanted to say good for you for keeping it simple! I work in a kindergarten class and I have seen how over the top the parties can be. It's crazy! When my daughter turned one, we had cake (that I made from scratch myself) and some snacks and beverages for the guests. We invited family members (which only totals 5 as my side of the family lives in other states) and a few close friends (who we consider family members!) We all just enjoyed the sun and watched my daughter play with her cousins. Everyone loved it! I like the bucket idea for the candy from the pinata. That way it's something the kids can use again. I think Michael's also has buckets for low prices and maybe some decorating materials. I hope you guys have a great time!!!!! My thoughts are with you and your family. Please know we are all here to support you while your husband is in Iraq.
Hi Kristen-
I am happy you are having parties for your children. I think that serving cake and ice cream is plenty. That is all I am doing for my daughter's birthday next week. I just made sure that the party was not scheduled around a meal time. My daughter's party is in the afternoon from 1 to 3, people would not be expecting lunch or dinner then. I plan on having some snack crackers or some grapes for the kids, but not a meal. I have also found coloring pages to be good and cheap party favors. You said your daughter wants a dora party. You could find a dora coloring book and just give each child a couple of pages to take home as a party favor. Maybe even attach a note that says thanks for coming to my party.
Hope you have a fun party!
Annemarie
Fruit and icecream cake (all in one) is all I ever do, very simple. When I tried to do a meal once, it was too much every kid eats different and it's hard to please everyone. Enjoy!
Totally ok! I would just even go for the cake and ice cream and bag the veggie tray. If you have it at 2 or something people will have just ate...make it easy. You know all the kids care about is the cake LOL :-) Have fun!
Amy
I don't know when birthday parties became big huge catered events. We always had cake and ice cream, a few games with cheesey prizes and everyone left happy.
I have had the same type of parties for my kids and no one ever seemed to mind. I think it's wonderful to have a simple heart felt birthday! Remember to HAVE FUN!
It think what you have in mind is fine. Since you will have the pinata I dont think it is necessary to have goody bags. I suggest having the party at a non meal time, early to mid afternoon is always good.
I used to have a few games for the kids with little cheap prizes, and cake and ice cream. The only time I porvided food is when it was at the pizza joint.