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#1
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A Not Birthday Party
This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It
is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. However, we want to do all the normal party things: ie games, a party tea, a cake. I'm not quite sure what to do about the candles on the cake. I think there should be some, but we can't sing Happy Birthday to You, as it isn't her birthday. I know other people have given their kid's parties when it isn't their birthday - what did you do?. She is also convinced that she will get the prize in Pass the Parcel. I'm not sure how to handle that, apart from not having the game. Any ideas? There will be six guests: we're making party bags, and I found some flower shape chicken nuggets (from Marks and Spencer for UK readers). FWIW, we have told the guests' mums that it is not her birthday. -- Penny Gaines UK mum to three |
#2
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Penny Gaines wrote: This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. However, we want to do all the normal party things: ie games, a party tea, a cake. I'm not quite sure what to do about the candles on the cake. I think there should be some, but we can't sing Happy Birthday to You, as it isn't her birthday. I know other people have given their kid's parties when it isn't their birthday - what did you do?. She is also convinced that she will get the prize in Pass the Parcel. I'm not sure how to handle that, apart from not having the game. Any ideas? There will be six guests: we're making party bags, and I found some flower shape chicken nuggets (from Marks and Spencer for UK readers). FWIW, we have told the guests' mums that it is not her birthday. DD has a summer bday party, and has long begged to celebrate her "half birthday" with a mid-year party while school is still in session. I do commiserate because usually her bday falls when everyone is on vacation and out of town. So last year we decided to throw an "end of year" party for DD and her friends. We held it right before school let out, to kick off the summer. DD said it wasn't the presents she wanted, but rather just a chance to get together with her friends and have a party, so this worked for us. We had a cake, but it wasn't a bday cake. Turned out most of her friends did bring gifts anyway, despite us requesting otherwise. The mom's all figured it was only fair, because DD had been to everyone else's bday party and brought gifts. To answer your question, maybe you could make "half-birthday" the theme? You could have, for example, a "half" cake. Either something like half chocolate and half vanilla, or literally a large round cake cut in half? Maybe serve half sandwiches and things like that. Perhaps cut the invitations in half. Have a game in which the kids have to find the missing other half of their invite, and when they do, they get some sort of prize? Maybe take two old board games, like Life and Monopoly, cut them in half, match the boards back up, and play a totally new game? And yes, why not sing "Happy Half Birthday to You" or make up silly lyrics with half the song missing "Hap Birth You." You could also consider having a "summer in winter" party and have all the kids come dressed in summer clothes. Set up a pool inside (if you dare). Serve ice pops, make hot dogs on the grill, etc. Turn up the heat in the house for the day. Use sand pails and shovels as placeholders on the table, etc. Then *pretend* it's August and it really is your DD's bday. Or do a Time Travel theme: have the invitations say something like "Step into the time capsule and travel to the future with us! The date will be August, 2005!" Anyway, you reminded me of something I should post about, on a similar topic... need some ideas for our next end-of-school party this year... will start another thread. jen |
#3
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Penny Gaines wrote:
This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. However, we want to do all the normal party things: ie games, a party tea, a cake. I'm not quite sure what to do about the candles on the cake. I think there should be some, but we can't sing Happy Birthday to You, as it isn't her birthday. I know other people have given their kid's parties when it isn't their birthday - what did you do?. She is also convinced that she will get the prize in Pass the Parcel. I'm not sure how to handle that, apart from not having the game. Any ideas? There will be six guests: we're making party bags, and I found some flower shape chicken nuggets (from Marks and Spencer for UK readers). FWIW, we have told the guests' mums that it is not her birthday. Well, you can do a number of things. You could make it her half birthday party and do all the regular birthday things as if it was a birthday party (cake and all). Lots of kids who have their birthdays in the summer do that. In fact, DS2 is doing his half birthday party at school. We do a regular birthday party for him at his birthday, but he's never gotten to do anything in his class (the kids usually bring in pizza or cupcakes or whatever on their birthdays) and he really wanted to do that. So, next Monday I'm bringing stuff in for DS1 (whose real birthday is tomorrow) *and* DS2 (whose half birthday would be 2/14, but we can't do it that day because it would conflict with the class Valentines Day party). Or, if you don't to bill it as a birthday party at all, I don't really see that there's anything you need do differently. You just skip singing Happy Birthday and skip candles on the cake (and you don't open presents during the party), and everything else is the same. No problem with games, party bags, cake, etc. As for convincing her she won't necessarily get the prize in the game, well, that can be a challenge ;-) You might try explaining that the host of the party isn't supposed to win the goodies and that it's her job as host to make sure everyone else is having a great time. If you think there will be fireworks if she doesn't get the prize, I'd consider eliminating the game or working things so that each child ends up with something in the end. Best wishes, Ericka |
#4
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Hi,
About the pass the parcel, this year for my sons party (5 yo) I've decided to put a little prize (a chocolate coin and some stickers) and an activity (e.g. run round the circle 5 times) in every level of wrapping paper, instead of a big prize at the end. This way all the kids get a prize and we won't have the dissapointment at the end when only one child wins. Helen Penny Gaines wrote: This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. However, we want to do all the normal party things: ie games, a party tea, a cake. I'm not quite sure what to do about the candles on the cake. I think there should be some, but we can't sing Happy Birthday to You, as it isn't her birthday. I know other people have given their kid's parties when it isn't their birthday - what did you do?. She is also convinced that she will get the prize in Pass the Parcel. I'm not sure how to handle that, apart from not having the game. Any ideas? There will be six guests: we're making party bags, and I found some flower shape chicken nuggets (from Marks and Spencer for UK readers). FWIW, we have told the guests' mums that it is not her birthday. -- Penny Gaines UK mum to three |
#5
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"Penny Gaines" wrote in message ... This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. However, we want to do all the normal party things: ie games, a party tea, a cake. I'm not quite sure what to do about the candles on the cake. I think there should be some, but we can't sing Happy Birthday to You, as it isn't her birthday. I know other people have given their kid's parties when it isn't their birthday - what did you do?. She is also convinced that she will get the prize in Pass the Parcel. I'm not sure how to handle that, apart from not having the game. Any ideas? There will be six guests: we're making party bags, and I found some flower shape chicken nuggets (from Marks and Spencer for UK readers). FWIW, we have told the guests' mums that it is not her birthday. You might want to be crystal clear that it is a no gift occaission, if this is your intent. I would even do it not as a "no gifts expected" but a "no gifts, please." Nothing is more horrifying than being the one parent who did not help get a gift when the others chose to. Otherwise, have a terrific time! -- Penny Gaines UK mum to three |
#6
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hbar wrote:
Hi, About the pass the parcel, this year for my sons party (5 yo) I've decided to put a little prize (a chocolate coin and some stickers) and an activity (e.g. run round the circle 5 times) in every level of wrapping paper, instead of a big prize at the end. This way all the kids get a prize and we won't have the dissapointment at the end when only one child wins. Helen Penny Gaines wrote: This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. However, we want to do all the normal party things: ie games, a party tea, a cake. I'm not quite sure what to do about the candles on the cake. I think there should be some, but we can't sing Happy Birthday to You, as it isn't her birthday. I know other people have given their kid's parties when it isn't their birthday - what did you do?. She is also convinced that she will get the prize in Pass the Parcel. I'm not sure how to handle that, apart from not having the game. Any ideas? There will be six guests: we're making party bags, and I found some flower shape chicken nuggets (from Marks and Spencer for UK readers). FWIW, we have told the guests' mums that it is not her birthday. -- Penny Gaines UK mum to three |
#7
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"Penny Gaines" wrote in message ... This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. However, we want to do all the normal party things: ie games, a party tea, a cake. I'm not quite sure what to do about the candles on the cake. I think there should be some, but we can't sing Happy Birthday to You, as it isn't her birthday. I know other people have given their kid's parties when it isn't their birthday - what did you do?. She is also convinced that she will get the prize in Pass the Parcel. I'm not sure how to handle that, apart from not having the game. Any ideas? There will be six guests: we're making party bags, and I found some flower shape chicken nuggets (from Marks and Spencer for UK readers). FWIW, we have told the guests' mums that it is not her birthday. Last year #1 had her birthday party in February. That might not seem strange-except for the fact that her birthday is October. However we were a little busy :-) (#2 was born 8 days before #1's birthday) We had a 3 1/3 birthday-and gave her candles and a cake etc. the only thing was we had to explain to some of the parents what the situation was, as you have done. I'd change the words to happy birthday: We didn't but 3 is a bit little for that-6yo should be able to cope with it. "Happy party to you Happy party to you Happy party to **** Happy party to you." Regarding pass the parcel, really I'd explain about it. She's 6 and ought to be able to cope with explanations and not winning. I remember working out that the best place to sit in pass the parcel was the opposite side of the ring from the birthday girl as you were more likely to win-most parents avoiding their child. (apart from one noteable exception!!) If she insists that she has to win then I might suggest she does the music (with help). Tell her every layer will have something in, which might help. (I assume you're planning on this) By that age forfeits add to it. Each child could choose a gift when they've done a forfeit if you don't want to put them in layers. Lollipops can be better than small sweets because they last the game out :-) and you don't have the first child complaining by the end. You don't want her to be upset on her party-but if she expects to win pass the parcel will she be any happier not winning other things? People seem to be assuming that by saying it isn't a birthday you mean that people shouldn't bring presents. Well as she won't have a birthday party as well (I assume) I see no reason why she shouldn't have presents. Certainly I would send my child with a present. For my child one of the fun things with a friend's party is choosing the present-she spends some time thinking about what they like and things. If you remove presents and put them in the back for later then you should save embarrassment if anyone hasn't, but add in the need for thank you letter :-) Debbie |
#8
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Welches wrote:
"Penny Gaines" wrote in message ... This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. [snip] I'd change the words to happy birthday: We didn't but 3 is a bit little for that-6yo should be able to cope with it. "Happy party to you Happy party to you Happy party to **** Happy party to you." Ahh, that's brilliant. That is just the idea I needed. Regarding pass the parcel, really I'd explain about it. She's 6 and ought to be able to cope with explanations and not winning. I remember working The 8yo has been trying to persuade her that the party girl doesn't always win, but she hasn't been persuaded yet. She is open to alternative games with forfeits etc. In fact we could have a not-pass-the-parcel, where the last layer has nothing in it. So the layers (which won't equal the no of participants) will have sweets in them (I like the lollipop idea), but the last one won't. Or does that sound like a really bad idea? - all the kids are 6.5yo and older. [snip] People seem to be assuming that by saying it isn't a birthday you mean that people shouldn't bring presents. Well as she won't have a birthday party as well (I assume) I see no reason why she shouldn't have presents. Certainly I would send my child with a present. For my child one of the fun things with a friend's party is choosing the present-she spends some time thinking about what they like and things. The first RSVP was from J's best friend, and the mum's reaction was "but she'd like a present anyway." She's a generous mum anyway, the kind who'll turn up for coffee with a pack of biscuits. PS Thank you, everyone for all the ideas. -- Penny Gaines UK mum to three |
#9
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hbar wrote:
Hi, About the pass the parcel, this year for my sons party (5 yo) I've decided to put a little prize (a chocolate coin and some stickers) and an activity (e.g. run round the circle 5 times) in every level of wrapping paper, instead of a big prize at the end. This way all the kids get a prize and we won't have the dissapointment at the end when only one child wins. Helen [snip] I like this idea, I'll just have to think of some ideas for forfeits. -- Penny Gaines UK mum to three |
#10
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"Penny Gaines" wrote in message ... Welches wrote: "Penny Gaines" wrote in message ... This weekend, we are giving the 6yo a party in her honour. It is her first ever party for her friends: her birthday is in August so the school holidays have always got in the way. [snip] I'd change the words to happy birthday: We didn't but 3 is a bit little for that-6yo should be able to cope with it. "Happy party to you Happy party to you Happy party to **** Happy party to you." Ahh, that's brilliant. That is just the idea I needed. Regarding pass the parcel, really I'd explain about it. She's 6 and ought to be able to cope with explanations and not winning. I remember working The 8yo has been trying to persuade her that the party girl doesn't always win, but she hasn't been persuaded yet. She is open to alternative games with forfeits etc. In fact we could have a not-pass-the-parcel, where the last layer has nothing in it. So the layers (which won't equal the no of participants) will have sweets in them (I like the lollipop idea), but the last one won't. Or does that sound like a really bad idea? - all the kids are 6.5yo and older. I think that sounds fine-but make it clear before you start or someone could have a terrible disappointment. I just had an alternative thought, that the middle layer has something for everyone-small sweet each or something?? Debbie |
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