XP: I need opinions on a 2nd b-day party even if you don't have kids

carrie4g

My DS is 20 months and so I'm starting to enter the thoughts and ideas of his 2nd birthday party and I have a couple of questions.

What do you prefer - themed parties like Elmo (he loves) or adult themed parties like a fiesta?

Are you more inclined and less stressed to go to parties that say 'no gifts please' or is that just annoying?

Did you invite your LO's friends from day care or things like that (where the 2 year olds know each other but not the parents so much)?

Any ideas/suggestions on what you thought was a fun party you attended for LOs?

GatorWedsNole

Little background: I don't have any kids myself, but have been to a ton of kid parties for friends and family.

I think 2 is an interesting age b/c they'll have fun, but what will they really remember?

As far as day care goes, I would suggest taking some cupcakes and some Elmo goody bags to daycare and calling it a little party.

I'm not a huge fan of "character" theme parties.  I think a Mexican fiesta is colorful enough to be kid-friendly.  You can have sombreros and maracas and a pinata!   Just keep some kid friendly foods like chicken tenders handy, even though adults might be having guacamole and tacos.

I think "no gifts please" is annoying.  If I'm going to a kid's birthday party, I'm showing up with a gift, even if it's a small toy.

HTH!  GL!

sarahbear

Stick with a theme the child will enjoy. It's their birthday, adults know this. I'd think it sad to go to a child's party that wasn't for the child.

If you say no gifts I won't bring a gift. But that's just me. Some people don't follow that. Some people (like grandparents) love giving gifts. So I wouldn't worry about it.

I agree with pp on daycare. Take cupcakes to class to share and call it done.

Make it short, stress free and simple.

mgfit1

I did an Elmo party for my son on his 2nd birthday.  I tend to throw big parties for him because he has a July birthday and jut inviting our siblings, their kids and our parents is over 20 people anyway.  For his 2nd party we only invited a few close friends and their families along with our family but it was still 35 people.  We hold the party out side (we have a big yard) and borrow a bouncy castle from a friend so that just works for us.  As far as the "no gifts"....I also wish people would not bring gifts, but I know they will.  I just usually suggest that they bring something little/small - nothing crazy if they ask.  I suggest something simple like a book or DVD, but he always gets too much stuff.  I have not invited friends from his daycare yet, but our other friends that have kids that we get together with.  I think next year I will invite some friends from his daycare because he has now been invited to a few parties from daycare and has created some friendships in his pre-school class.  For me, what makes the party fun is that there is something for the kids to do (the bouncy castle and crafts, soccer, yard games/sports) so the parents can just sit in a lawn chair and let the kids play.  The parents have fun and so do the kids....it seems like our parties for his birthday start at 3pm and the last guest is always leaving after dark!  I love that we have such a good party for everyone that attends.  I even had vollyball for the adults and bacci ball too.....oh, I do also serve beer/wine for adults.  For his last party we had 45 people.  I did an luau for his first birthday and Thomas the Train for his 3rd birthday. 

I just started a blog - not much there yet, but I did post two photos of my Elmo cupcakes along with directions - if that helps.  My son LOVED them!

 Here's the link to my blog:

http://striving2bsupermom.blogspot.com/

It's the only post under entertaining

shelly123

You're Elmo cupcakes are the cutest!! I love the idea of using Kroger cupcakes for a shortcut!  Great idea!

northtamarack

I don't have kids, but a very large majority of my friends have children, so we've been invited to many kiddie parties. 

From my perspective, there are two types of kiddie parties, one where it is about the kid and two where it is about forcing adults to recognize the kid's birthday. 

For #1 - it is appropriate to do a themed Elmo (or whatever) party.  Focus on the kids having a great time, not the adults.  If the kids are happy, the adults are happy. For these types of parties, it is a great idea to invite friends with children, LO daycare friends, etc. 

For #2 -  Having a birthday party for the child but providing adult food and drinks, insisting on no presents is just awkward.  It feels like they just wanted to AW their child, but in a really weird way. 

To be honest, I have never been to a kid party that I enjoyed.  The conversation is usually focused around kids, and not having them, I have little to add to the conversation.  We've also been in the situation where we weren't invited because we don't have kids, but are in a social situation where the birthday party has occured and the people we are with start discussing that birthday party.  That is pretty awkward too.   

I hope that your LO 2nd birthday is a great one! 

 

auntb86

I normally lurk here, but I wanted to throw out there that I helped my sister take her two year old twins to an Elmo themed party a few months back...   The parents knew each other pretty well, it was in the neighborhood...  They had adult snacks/beverages set up high on the counter, and kid friendly stuff down low to make it accessible for the LOs.  

The cutest thing was the favors-- Goldfish in a bowl, like Elmo's Dorothy.  They named their fish "Nemo" of course, and he's still alive and kickin'! Good luck! 

Bellina12200

I think doing a theme that the child likes is key.  It's a party all about them, after all.  I also think "no gifts please" can be done sometimes but there are always going to be people who bring a gift which then makes the ones that listened and didn't bring a gift feel awkward.  I prefer using this for other types of parties (i.e. a housewarming party) rather than a kids birthday party.

KezCo

We had our DD's 2 yr bday party in the morning at a park.  Her absolute favorite thing is going to the park, so we invited about 20 people (mostly friends with kids) and brought balloons and picnic food.  The kids played at the playground for about an hour while the adults talked, then we ate lunch and she opened presents.  It was super low key and relaxed, but she had a great time and it was a beautiful day so the adultes enjoyed being outside.  Also, DD tends to get kind of stressed and territorial when there are too many people at the house so the park was perfect!  I don't know what the weather is like in April where you live, but if it's doable, I definitely recommend the park! 

julie5220

A kid's birthday party should be just that.  If you want a party for yourselves, have a party for yourselves.  I think family and friends who are like family should be invited.  Anyone else probably doesn't give a crap about your kid. 

To me, getting to see the kid open his presents and eat cake is all the party anyone should expect.  I like to visit with the other guests (again, because they are all family or like family) and the kid.  As for theme, make/get whatever cake the kid is going to get excited about and get over it.  It's a 2 yr old's birthday.  

RachieTK

I think it's important for the party to be for the child as others have said.  Have adult food, but serve it on the elmo plates.  If your son's daycare allows outside treats for sharing, sending them in seems like the best option.  Two is a little young for a friends party, since it becomes a weekend event for adults you don't know.  I personally don't like to be told not to buy gifts for kids, that's the fun in being invited to me, so I wouldn't listen and would make those who did listen feel uncomfortable when I walked in I'm sure.