How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

Just curious how people feel about being invited to birthday parties in a home in comparison to party places.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

I prefer going to and having a party out - just b/c I find it easier all around as far as timing.
Kids never want to leave ANY party, but when it's out, when it's over, it's over and everyone is leaving at the same time, as opposed to me having to tell my kid "OK, we're leaving now b/c we have A, B, C to do after this" - when not everyone else has gone KWIM?

ETA - It also depends on our relationship to the person having the party. If it's a close friend or family memember, we usually end up back at the hoouse after the 'out' party anyway ........
I also have to agree that some places are not the cleanest, but those are the ones we come home and go DIRECTLY in the shoer from - there's no waiting until after dinner

Message edited 1/20/2015 9:44:35 AM.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

There are party places that skeeve me out....

Especially those with climbing areas that have likely never been cleaned.

Other than that, some have really fun activities.

But... home parties usually have better food and are more relaxed.

How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

I like home parties bc they're relaxing, not rushed, and more of a family affair. All dd's friends have done home parties so far and I like that dh has gotten the chance to meet the other dads. We've enjoyed the parties along with dd. If it were a school friend where I didn't know the parents as much I'd probably prefer a shorter, more structured party out somewhere.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

There are pros and cons to both.

For Julian's first we had a party at my parent's house because I wanted to use their beautiful, big backyard for the game farm we had come. We did lollipop rentals and had the animals come to feed. His birthday is September so the weather is beautiful. I took advantage. It was "home" so that made it special and nice. I catered it in, and people could come and go and stay as long as they wanted. There were lots of positives. But, it wasn't cheap bringing everything in and setting up and all of that was a lot of work on myself, my parents, etc. So, you take the good with the bad. It was a beautiful party. He was only a year old so it was nice that I had the crib right upstairs for him to take a nap in.

As he gets older I'll probably have a few out - there are places like White Post and I've been to parties there and they did SUCH a great job!!! So, I mean, it's convenient and the price was good for what they gave you. There were lots of pro's to that option.

I am going to switch things up each year and do something different. See what works. I definitely don't PREFER one over the other - I have been to both and both types have been fun.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

Message edited 1/20/2015 10:21:33 AM.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

It doesn't really matter to me.

How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

personally, I like hosting home parties b.c I have some family and friends from NY, and I like the idea that they can stay as long as they want. I find that when you have a party at a place, they are so fast (1.5 hour long) and not really personal.
When I have my kids parties at the house, I play up the theme, I take pride in making my own cake -I ask the kids what kind of cake they want and let my imagination go wild, and I try to come up with one to three different "activities" for the kids to do.
it's a lot of work and set up and I don't find it all that much cheaper than having it at a play place.

now, if it is a classmate birthday party, I prefer going to a play place b.c you are in and out and done. if it is a close friend's birthday party , I prefer going to house parties where you can kick back, relax, and stay how ever long you feel.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

Most kid places skeeve me, they always seems SO dirty. Kids are sweating and drooling on everything, I NEVER see them cleaning between parties either........especially at the bounce house places. I swear, it seems like every time we go to a kid place party my kids end up sick right after. The only kid party places I don't mind are the yogurt/ice cream places, pizza making parties, etc.

How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

Im 50/50... Part of me prefers out because you don't want have to worry about anything beyond supplying a few things. 1.5-2 hours in and out, no clean up needed. If people still want to hang then they can come back to my house.

When its at home I find its a lot more work. I have to clean, cook all the food or at least make sure theres a set up for it, decorate, host, rent tables and chairs most of the time, make sure everyone is happy, things are going smoothly, food is out, make coffee, serve coffee, then I have to clean again when people leave... While its great to get everyone together and no one has to feel rushed to leave, I also just find it very stressful.
I had my dd 2nd at our house but her 3rd Im going to do at a party place.

Message edited 1/20/2015 11:09:02 AM.

How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

Obviously it's a a lot more work to do at home, but I love parties at home. Good food, drinks, it's clean, no germy equipment at those play places, so skeevy. DD will be 4 soon, and we plan on having another party at home. Last year we did a bounce house and the Fun Bus came. This year we are doing a petting zoo first, followed by a pool party. Everyone stays long, the kids go crazy, the parents can have a drink and enjoy themselves. I'll continue parties at home for as long as DD will be on board. I figure I have a couple more years.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

I personally like home parties best.

I don't think my kids care. They love parties.

the only bad parties we have been to were non-kiddie places with no entertainment. I can think of a party where there was food but no activities/entertainment. Then there was one party at a rec center with a million kids but no organized entertainment. a few coloring sheets and music playing wasn't enough.

How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

I like home parties. Not as rushed and you get to be social. My dd is young though so ask this question when she is in school and I'm sure I'll give you a different answer.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

I like both. If my kids had summer birthdays I would definitely host their parties at home. But my older DS is late October and my younger DS is early March. After trying for two years, one super cold (think winter coats) pirate party and one rainy petting zoo/pony rides party and I was done.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

going to them I don't care. hosting I rather out less work for me

How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

I have a lot of home parties, and prefer them. I can tailor every detail to my liking, not be on a time restraint, and the party lasts longer than 90 minutes. As for being invited to out vs. in, really makes no difference to me.

Re: How do you feel about home birthdays vs. having them out

Posted by blu6385

going to them I don't care. hosting I rather out less work for me

Message edited 1/21/2015 9:12:38 AM.