3 Close Birthdays!

[hollyjjj]

Hi

I was wondering what you guys thought the best idea was for my kids birthdays.

I have a son born Jan. 2, and a daughter born Jan. 30..we were having a big combined birthday party since they were so young and their birthdays so close. Well now this year I had another baby born Feb. 7.

Should I have a seperate party for each kid? A combined one? I would hate to spend all that money on each seperate party and have family and friends come out to our house every two weeks for one of our kids birthday parties..lol..at the same time I don't want to take anything away from my kids and their parties and making that day special to them. What should I do?

[adriansmom]

Some suggestions if you have to have the party together:

-separate cake (or cupcakes for each child) maybe they could help decorate their own
-special balloon that they pick for their chair (disney characters are a great treat!)
-separate time to open gifts
-treats or snacks they get to choose (chip flavor, ice cream flavor, etc.)

Maybe on their actual birthday you could have the closer relatives (grandparents?) over for a cake on their special day to keep some individual special time.

I like the idea of having individual parties for their friends when they are older, but of course that gets a little expensive as you mention, but for the years that they are young and just into the fun things (like opening gifts!!) they probably won't care when they get to celebrate. I would try to do something special for each child for both their individual day and the combo party. If it looks like they don't like sharing then maybe you'll have to reconsider sharing them.

My cousins share a birthday (5&3) and they don't mind a bit sharing, but their mom also makes their own birthday special for them too with their favorite meal and cake!!!

Good luck in deciding what to do. Personally I'm in favour of individual parties, but we're such a small family that so far it's worked out this way!

[Shawn]

adriansmom had some excellent ideas!

I also think it depends on the childs age. Some children would prefer to have a seperate party, again this depends on their age. While other would have no clue or mind.

Having one huge family party sound like a great idea and then having individual childrens parties for their classmates and friends.


Ask the children and see what their opinions are... then take it from there.

BTW, what are their ages?

[hollyjjj]

Jordan is 4, Jenna is 3, and the new baby is 2 months old.

What we have been doing is the combined party for friends and family but on their actual birthday we make a cake together and do something they want to do. It's just now there is 3, and I didn't know if it would be harder on family and friends to come to all these seperate parties or come to one party but have to buy 3 gifts?

I guess I'm more fertile in the spring..I keep having these winter babies! At least now I know when to keep dh away!!!

[Shawn]

Since your children are still very young, I would stick with the combined parties. It is when they are in school that they may want to have a seperate party. BUT while you still can, I would continue to combine them.

Maybe you should send dh on vacation in the spring. Only Kidding...

[Houston-Mom]

Here's what we do...

We have two children (ages 8 & 5) Their birthdays are 3 monthes apart. But to save on money and still give the kids a good party, we rotate birthdays. On their odd birthdays (1, 3, 5 ect..) They get a big party. and on their even birthdays we do something small.(like going out to dinner) My kids like this idea and look forward to their odd birthdays. It's just an idea. I also do a little something for the class. (cupcakes)
I spend $200 a year total on party and gifts.

I know what's like having a large family. My husband has 7 brothers and sisters,and we have 5 nephews/ neices.

Houston-Mom

[kris]

hi
it's my sons 7th birthday at the begining of june, we have hired out the local swimming pool, you can have up to 50 children they supply the life guards. the kids get 1 hour in the pool and 1 hour in the room next door, where we set out all the food and games.all of his class come and and a few more besides. it's good because you don't leave any class mates out. it only costs £70 which i think is very cheap.
see ya
kris

[ArkansasMom]

My 2 boys' birthdays are only 2 weeks apart. We have had separate parties except for one year. Mostly because they are 4 years apart in age and hey have different friends. the one year we had it together, it just didn't feel "right" to me. I don't know why, they both seemed to enjoy it, but I just prefer to give them each their own party with their own themes, friends, etc. JMO

[barbszy]

My kids were born Dec. 27, Jan. 15 and March 6.
For the 2 older ones (January and December) we combine the family party. We are far from the relatives who want to come (closest ones are 1 1/4 hours away, farthest ones close to 3 hours away) so we only ask them to come to our home ONCE in the wintertime. The little guy gets his own party in March.
The Big Kids have always shared a party and they don't mind. Last year we let them have "friend parties" separately. But at the joint party we have 2 cakes, 2 sets of plates & cups....Barbie and dinosaurs coexist quite nicely at our parties Since we are so far away from everyone, the kids are just happy to see their cousins and other relatives, and they don't mind the 2 cakes, 2 songs, etc. It's just "how it is" in our house. I don't think they will grow up emotionally harmed by it