2 Year Old Boy Birthday Party

Okay, it depends on how you look at it.

For me and some friends... we did NOT do a Birthday "party" with our children when they were this young. For us, we did a small party for their 1st birthday... and then after that, it was just a "family" thing... in other words... me, my Hubby, our 2 children, and that's it.
We have budget concerns too. So do my friends.

There is NO "obligation" to have a full on "party" when a child is so young. Sure, once they start school, it becomes more of a thing to do. But when a child is so young, it's really not "required."

DO NOT compare your ability to have a party, with his cousins. SO what. No biggie. Do not feel you have to keep up with all the other people or parties.

Even a previous boss of mine, she did not have "planned" Birthday parties for her kids, until they were 4 years old... when they had started preschool. Until then, it was just at home, with her kids and Hubby and a cute cake and gifts that they got for their own child. It was special.
The "specialness" of a Birthday party does not derive from the money spent on it... nor the quantity of guests invited, or the goody bags or bouncers.

My children still knew it was special and they felt special. I'd decorate our living room with balloons and flowers.. and hide their gifts until the final moment... and had a cute cake. It WAS special... and they loved it.

When a child is this young... it is not imperative to have a full on party. That is just my feelings on it... and in light of the budget which EVERYONE is dealing with nowadays.

Really, you can still have a special memorable birthday... sans the "party"... which is mostly put on for 'other' people and their expectations anyway. Not your own.

Don't worry... lots of parents contend with this too.

Take care,
Susan

Hi Susie,
I have a couple of really good birthday party planning websites that you should check out. I use these all the time for my kiddo's parties and we always have a blast. I have put on a cumulative of 11 b-day parties for my children and have only had one bouncer. The websites are www.birthdaypartyideas.com, www.coolest-birthday-parties.com and Family Fun Magazines website at www.go.familyfun.com. There really is a mountain load full of themes, invite ideas, decorations, games, prizes, and favors. I search thru them all and fit them into my budget. One thing to say about the food, is that it can be the most expensive aspect of the party so maybe plan the party at like 2pm, that way kids have already eaten lunch and you can get away with just some finger foods and cake and drink. I get a lot of my party supplies/favors at the 99 cent and the dollar tree store, and so they go a long way there. Have fun with all of the planning and good luck with the big day!
A. Nichols
Mommy of a 5, 4, & 2 y/o
Work At Home United
www.enriched1.com

What's your theme? familyfun.com has a zillion ideas for games, crafts, cakes, decorations, etc. I go there for every party and holiday.

Last year my son turned 2 and we had a small party at home. I made the cake and decorated it to look like dirt and grass with a bridge (frosted an ice cream cone) with pretzel stick tracks and bought the Thomas candle. I got cheap plates and cups and not much official Thomas stuff. The kids played outside with a soccer ball and the trains Eric already had. When kids are 2, they aren't too picky about having a bounce house. Eric was happy just to be outside playing. Maybe you could go to a park and fix hot dogs.

I agree with the previous post about 2yrs being too young to have a big birthday "party"... My son had some family come over for some "play time". I made the cake myself and although we had the Spiderman theme, it was just a chocolate frosting cake with some red & white spiderwebs and we went to the local store and got some spiderman finger rings to put around the cake. He was given a spiderman costume that he wore and that's about it. If you want to do a party, maybe you can consider having it at a friend's house that has a swingset or playground, or at a park (should be nice weather from now on) or if you wanted a bouncer for a party maybe a friend has one that you can borrow. I wouldn't make a big deal of it and I think people will understand #1 he's only two and #2 these are hard economic times. He WILL have fun either way and that's what counts in the end.