Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I am really on the fence about this. My DCs' birthdays are coming up and I'm deciding on what to do.

Having them home and out cost about the same. DD's birthday is in the summer, so I have had pool parties for her and the kids can play in the backyard. I would probably get some form of entertainment too.

What do you like or dislike with having it at home or out?

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

This is JMO...

I like having them in home for 1-2, b/c let's be honest, they don't remember and so many places get to be

Now, that he is going to be 3, he does have friends so we are doing his party out, but it not going to be a big blow out at all

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I think both are nice!

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

Message edited 2/24/2022 9:00:50 PM.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I like them at home. I have the best memories of my mom throwing my parties at our house and going to all my little friends' house parties. I like the "old school" aspect of it.

Katherine's 4th b-day in September was the first time we had a "friends" party for her and we did it here. I did hire an entertainer who did musical games, face painting, etc. I had a start time and an end time. I ordered pizza and had cake. That was that. Katherine LOVED it! My friend had her DD's 4th "friend" b-day at home and in lieu of the entertainment, she ordered a craft from Oriental Trading and all the girls made crowns...fun stuff! She also did Pin the Tail on the Donkey and hot potato! Ah the memories!!

Plus, I like entertaining...so it's an easy decision for me.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I like them at home, just because I think they should be simple and not break the bank. I know the trend for school aged kids around me is big parties at all different venues where the parents spend a few hunderd dollars. I just think it is too much. Two hours, cake and games, like when we were growing up seems sufficient to me.

While I see the ease in having it at a venue...no cleanup, no kids in your house, I still prefer at home. Although I wonder, come the time my kids are in elementary school, if they will be made fun of or critized for having at home parties.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

Message edited 1/19/2010 1:14:43 PM.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I can enjoy both equally - depending.

I have been to home parties where the kids have a great time, there is a back up plan in case of rain and there is room for everyone to move around and places to sit and relax.

I have also been to home parties where there are 100 people squeezed inside with no seating, no room to move and a lot of crying kids who can't run around and get the ants out of their pants.

I've been to parties at a venue where the staff was disengaged, the kids were aimless and there were no drinks for the parents and nothing for the parents to do except cluster in a waiting area until their kid was done. That's a bummer - especially for the few parents who don't know anyone else in the crowd.

I've also been to parties at venues where the kids were entertained, the parents were given opportunities to sit or take pictures and offered at least a cup of coffee.

So.. I can enjoy either.. or I can be equally uncomfortable.

But all things being equal? I *personally* prefer home based parties. I just feel more relaxed.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I like having them at home...but I love entertaining, and feeling more relaxed.

I imagine when she gets older, she might occaisionally ask for a party at a Chuck-E-Cheese like locale, but until such time, I will have home parties...Of course her birthday is in August...so we're usually outside, with a pool and jumpy castle, etc....

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

Posted by shamrock124

I'm so torn, especially with little Eddie. Do I have it home or out?

It's so much more work to have them home, even if it's a pizza party. And having them home doesn't save that much money.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I like them both to go to. Having them at home is soooo much more work then at a place IMO. I am exhausted from planning Alexa's Party and it is not really even that involved and there are not even that many people invited

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

After having DS's party this weekend (1st birthday) I say if the child is 1 or 2 so it at home. If they're older can can enjoy it more at a place..

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

generally speaking I like at home parties.

I HATE places like chuck e cheese and funtown usa and the like...the kids are rushed from event to event, they throw nasty *** pizza or food on the table and cut a cake...all for the "bargain" of $17.99 per kid...NO THANKS. the only one I kind of like is bowling, but even there the time constraints are out of control. I'd probably just take the kids (and parents) for two games of bowling followed by cake at my house or something.

if not physically IN my home, I'd rather it a place that I can rent for a block of time and be the ONLY party utilizing the space. I don't want to worry about kids from another party trampling over the kids from my party.

(this is NOT a knock on parents who chose these places...I understand that kids WANT them there and it's hard not to give them what they want)

that being said, Luce's birthday is in October. once he gets older (3rd bday and up) I plan on doing Halloween and fall themed type parties...maybe scoring an hour at a haunted house (kid friendly) pumpkin patches, horseback riding etc.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

Home because this way I can cap the number of people being invited and we don't have to get into the "well, if we invite this person, then we have to invite that person, etc, etc"

That's how we ended up with 150 people invited to DD's baby naming!

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

Big fan of home parties and "hope" to do them for as long as possible until my DC's request otherwise

My DS's is in October and we have been very fortunate with the weather...DD's is in January so I have no idea how that will pan out (since I tend to go overboard on themes etc...since I enjoy party planning a little TOO much )...

Often I feel party places rush a bit too much...Home parties definately are more work ( but hiring a waitress is the best thing I've ever done, money well spent), and depending on how crazy you go, home parties can cost you just as much if not more, when all is said and done

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

DD is a winter baby....so I have it out. To be honest, I don't want 10-15 toddlers running around my house. Having it out leaves me worry free, and I really don't have to do anything but show up. I love that!! DD had a blast at her last birthday party.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

Count me in as Old School too! Loved having our Parties at Home and going to Friends Homes too

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I love having DD's at home, since she's a summer baby. Though, I did completely stress myself out last year b/c the weather was looking questionable for days leading up to the party, and even the morning of the party....thankfully it cleared up b/c I have NO ROOM inside my house for that many people.

If she was a cold-weather child, I'd probably have to do it somewhere else (or even at MIL's house, etc). And when she gets older and has more little friends, I'll probably do something at a kids-type place I guess.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

After four home b-day parties for my older son....I'm finally having it out. I never thought I would have a party outside of the home. I enjoyed having them at home but by the time I cater or cook, hire magician or clown, cake and paper goods etc...I cost less to have it out. Plus I don't have the mess. My house is big so space is not an issue for me.

I'm actually looking forward to his party this year!!!

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I like both. We had #1 at home and #2 out. I considered having #2 at home but when I added everything up it was going to be the same price and a lot more work. I remember #1 not being so much fun (for me) bc I spent the whole time making sure everyone was ok, or putting out food/cleaning up.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I like both too

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I have done both and they are equally fun. In defense of Chuck E Cheese, we really enjoyed my DD B-day there and the kids had a blast too. But I think that we lucked out- we were the only party on a Saturday, the place was empty and we were totally catered to by the staff. Plus, I took the parents into consideration and got food and drink for them too

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I have no room in my apartment for hosting parties, especially kid parties. An adult gathering only requires food and alcohol... kids require entertainment and space to run. I have no space for running. And DD's birthday is in January, so it's not like I can borrow someone else's back yard.

The party we just had was at a place and it was great because it was the perfect amount of time and activity for a 2 year old, and it didn't cost much more than what I would have paid if I did it all myself.

eta: if I had the space, I wouldn't hesitate to throw a party at home.

Message edited 1/19/2010 3:47:41 PM.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I like both and I am hoping that we alternate DS's parties, sometimes out and sometimes at home.

Re: Looking for honest opinions and feedback...children's birthday parties - home or out?

I hear you - it's a lot more work at home than out. We are going to alternate -- one year family BBQ at our house, the following year "out" at a kids' place.

You have an amazing home for entertaining. But I can see how it would be a ton of work and you don't get to relax and enjoy the day.

I'm no help, am I?