Yes! Definitely keep it simple. They will remember mostly what they see in pictures, not what there was to eat (so take some good pictures).
It depends what time of day you're having it. Since the kids will all be little, it's probably a good idea to have small finger food snacks available such as: goldfish, baby carrots, apple slices, raisins, etc. so you don't have kiddos hungry/cranky and being a pain at the party. Those are also all snacks that most families would eat before they go bad anyway and should require very little prep from you. Costco and Trader Joe's both sell pre-sliced apples. Costwise, I would think you should be able to get a couple kinds of snack for less than $20.
I don't think you're nuts AT ALL!! That's usually the route I've gone the last couple of years. My son will be four this year. I have had his party in the afternoon, after lunch time, so people could just eat lunch on their own, and then come over. It also helps me get him a nap before they get here. (that helps keeps things fun for everybody, a rested child is a much happier child around here!! :) )
You don't "have to" do anything that doesn't work for you. Don't feel badly about it if you end up at some other party and they've done something different than you. You don't have to compare what you did. (we all do it, though, don't we?
When I have needed help, I have even asked someone else in my family to bring over the veggie tray. They don't mind. I think one year I threw some appetizer dish into the crock pot, but most of the time it's just been cake, really. Besides, my son is mostly interested in that anyway. We don't really do sweets regularly around here, so the cake is the biggest treat of all. As long as that happens, it's a very special day. :) Well, you know, in addition to the attention, and presents!!
That's another thing, don't put yourself so far into party prep and everything that you can't have fun and spend time with your child at the party. Why be worrying all about the food when you could be enjoying your child?? Get more pictures, more hugs, and see more smiles!!!
Kristen,
You are DEFINTELY NOT nuts. This sounds perfectly acceptable to me. My little guy just turned a year and we met at a local folk festival and I made cupcakes. No big deal. I think it's probably healthier for the kids all around if you don't go totally crazy over these things.
Have fun and enjoy your little ones!!
Cynthia
p.s. I also encouraged people NOT to give presents - we have so many things. If they really wanted to bring presents, I requested recycled wrapping.
Kristen,
My son's 12th party was last week and we had cake, watermelon and drinks. (We were at a park and it was over 80 degrees so ice cream was out.) We did a pinata with small toys, stickers and candy. ($$store is great for this) I handed out bags and that was their gift bag. You could theme it by using brown lunch sacks and putting Dora stickers on them. I think in these economic times less is certainly ok - and none of the kids complained as they were having fun playing.
Good luck and prayers for your military family.
Birthdays are suppose to be fun and that includes you as well. If all you want to do is cake, ice cream and a pinata, that will still be an enjoyable memory for your daughter and more relaxed for you. As our children get older they will have their own opinions of what their b-day shouldx be...so take it easy now because someday that super party will be on your door step and you might be more inclined to plan something la3ger because other years were more mellow. We took the cake & ice cream route with our 4 year old this year and everything was awesome and I was able to socialize more with the other parents and my son had a great time. Go for it and good luck
I would have it at an off-meal time. If you have it at noon, people will expect lunch. But, if you have it at 11 or 2, they will have already eaten! And, I woould also put something like "Join us for cake and ice cream to celebrate ______'s birthday" on the invitation.
We've done a lot of cake and ice cream parties with maybe a few appetizers (veggies, chiips n dip, etc.) and drinks and they are always a lot of fun!
Have fun!!!
Kristen!
First off Thank you for being the spouse of one of our great Servicemen and THANK YOU to your husband for keeping our country free!
For my daughters birthday party, we said on the invite, Join us for cake and ice cream in Celebration of "T" turning two. We had her party at 1pm and served cupcakes, dixie cup ice cream and juice boxes. It was just fine. No one said anything about not having additional food.
You're not nuts. I never even got a party ever when I was growing up. My mom wasn't nuts either. She couldn't afford even a simple party. She just made my favorite meal and some desert like pie or whatever that I liked and gave me presents. I survived just fine!
If you plan the party for a between-meal time, then people shouldn't miss the food as much. Make it fun with lots of games and no one will notice the missing meal. :)
I always have cake & ice cream parties with a veggie tray and maybe some goldfish. By the time you do decorations, party bags, etc you run out of money! Plus I do my parties between lunch & dinner and for younger kids 2.5 hours is plenty.
Do whatever you want! It's your child's party so don't let others decide for you :)
Have a great party
Most importantly, I think, if you dont want to serve food (which is perfectly fine) plan it accordingly. Dont plan the party at 12pm and not expect to feed your guest lunch. I like to plan my kids party's at 1pm...just after lunch, before naps! :)
Candy bags/pinata are a party favor, to me anyway! I always stress over this same topic! I just through my son's 2nd birthday. I brought down and bought the darn party favor kit...then my husband asks me AFTER all the kids leave, "hey what are these bags in here for?" Arrgg, such a waste. Anyway, Cake and ice cream is just fine...I usually but a bowl of party mix on the table for the kids to munch, we got to walmart and buy the animal crackers (huge bag for 1.98), 1 large generic brand raisins, and 1 large bag of generic brand cheeto's...we had tons left over and it cost me less than $7.00 for the whole thing...oh and 1 big jug of fruit bunch for 2.00, I think...
As for the adults. I might be the only one, but I dont usually do anything for them...its about the kids...and its only a couple hours.
Yay for the pinata! That's what my Princess wants for her party too! I'm trying to figure out how to make it like the Dora "big pinata" where every one pulls to make the fun stuff come out. I think I may have little stuffed animals for all the guests, the same character, like a puppy. One for everyone, not candy or food.
I wouldn't do nuts, such a iffy thing with allergies, we've got'em. It's better without.
Our theme is POPPING...like popping balloons, bubbles, popcorn...etc. For treats, watermelon balls, Pirates booty cheese popcorn, cupcakes (maybe mini ones) and super small scoops of pre-scooped vanilla ice cream(made with a smaller scooper), and a cup of milk (maybe in tossable sippy cups that they can take home). I will be serving the treats in a foil 6-cup muffin tin. You know the kind you find in the bakery aisle at the grocery store. I think every thing will fit (we will be eating out side in the back yard) I will prep dish all the food up & they don't have to have seconds, just what is there. It's just a snack.
There are lots of ideas on many parenting/family websites.
Most of all, have fun and simple. Your little one won't remember what snack they ate, but the pinata and the fun! :)