Birthday Party Sanity Saver
I love birthday parties.
The first two years, I could handle having them all in my house.
The thing is, three year old boys are getting big, and they’re rowdy, goofy, loud, and crazy. And since our gang of girls all had babies around the same time, they all come with a little sibling and a parent. Which, for his 5-8 closest friends to join us, makes for 30 people in my not-big house.
(At what age do we start drop off parties? I’m excited and also a little scared.)
Solution?
Rent a gymnastics club!
Even better, rent one where the little siblings aren’t allowed to come. (Except Bella, of course.)
Today we had the party for Primo’s 3rd birthday at a local gymnastics club – 1 hour of free play gymnastics and one hour in the party room – and it was worth every penny. Actually, it may have cost less than the elaborate table of appies I make when I have the parties here.
- Rental, for up to 10 kids: $100
10 treat bags: $50 (bucket, frisbee, bubbles, crayons, gold medal we made in advance for each child)
Food: $100 (veggie tray, fruit tray, meat/cheese/crackers tray, 2 flavours chips, pretzels, juice boxes, plates, bowls, cutlery, ice cream)
(cake was made by my amazing girlfriend who refuses my money every time)
Total party cost: $250
Not having to clean my house, clean up after, shop for two hours, cook for two days, and stress out for two hours: priceless
Pictures to come…when I have the energy to upload some later this week.
April 26th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
awww how awesome that he had a great birthday!
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April 27th, 2009 at 11:52 am
LOL! That sounds like an excellent birthday party! I’m sure the kids had a blast, looking forward to seeing the pictures!
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April 28th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Glad he had a wonderful birthday! That’s a great idea. We used to have parties in the park for the same reason, but with the increase of kidnapping, child molesters, and such, we started using Chuck E. Cheese. Tight security and a smaller area to keep an eye on the kiddos.
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April 28th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
That’s exactly what we did! Loved having the parties at my place but once the 4th birthday came around and with having ’so many friends to invite Mummy’, gymnastics centre it was! We did it for his fifth too.
Question though…how did you get around not having the siblings show? I was going to say something on the invite then chickened out. I had noticed at other friend’s childrens parties that siblings just showed up (without telling). Happened to us as well. I had to pay for 4 extra children, only 1 I knew about. That 1 was the only one I knew as well!
Can’t wait to see the pictures!!
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April 29th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Children’s birthday parties have become extravagant productions. My kids start planning theirs a year in advance.
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April 30th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I totally hear you on the priceless statement!
All 3 of my kids were born within 10 days of each other. We have one big party and be done with it for the year. But we spend a lot of money. This year? Rollerskating: $125 for the rentals for 10 children. $60 for extra pizzas and drinks for the adults. Cake: FREE (my mom does them
) And for the first year ever…I’m skipping the gift bags. I figure all the free rollerskating is enough. Eh, maybe I’m just cheaper this year!
Looks like a good time was had by all though! Hooray for Mommy!
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