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Two weeks ago, I called to reserve the hall that we always use for our sons’ birthday party. My friends made fun of me. FireDad even looked at me like I was a little over-the-top. But I called anyway. And I knew why.
The day we chose was the only available weekend day in a month and a half period. Even still, we had to push our party back an hour because they were decorating the building for Christmas earlier that day.
I’m glad I called the first week of June to reserve the hall for the weekend before Thanksgiving even if people laughed at me.
It’s difficult. Having the boys’ birthdays a week apart (almost to the minute) is difficult enough. (And nearer to their birthday party, I’ll discuss why I’ve decided to go with one party for the time being.) However, having their birthdays fall so close to Thanksgiving (which, of course, is close enough to Christmas as it is) requires a lot of early planning. Last year, to make matters more difficult, we had to deal with a family members’ wedding which limited our days to throw the party down to one. I had three to choose from this year. Only one worked with the only affordable hall in our area that holds our large extended families and closest friends.
I’ve learned a few things over the years about throwing a birthday party so close to the holiday season.
1. Look at your calendar about six months in advance and find what days work best for those whose attendance is necessary. For our family that means picking a weekend day (so more people in the family can travel and attend) on which FireDad does not work at the fire department (as his attendance is necessary).
2. Book your location early. If someone makes fun of you for doing so, ignore them. You don’t need to order the cake in July but you might want to make the calls regarding location. Remember that people throw parties for their businesses, families and other groups during the holiday time. Halls, restaurants and other party locations fill up quickly. Booking early ensures that you will get your choice of date. For us, as we live in a small city with a limited number of options, it’s basically mandatory. Some argue that larger cities can wait until September or October to call. However, remember that while larger cities have more venues, they also have more people planning said parties. Play it safe.
3. Once you have picked a date that works for those whose attendance is necessary and works with the location you have chosen, don’t change it. Things are going to come up. People are not going to be able to attend because of conflicts. Something might come up that a necessary attendee might prefer to do than endure the noise level of a child’s birthday party. Too bad. Send out an email to those you care to invite and warn them of the date. Stick to it.
4. Make a list and start buying gifts early. I just recently made the boys’ birthday present list (and am working on the Christmas list). I will start purchasing one gift with each pay through either the days themselves or the gifts are finally purchased. This saves money in the end as I don’t go off list too much and I can avoid the last minute tendency to over purchase. Also, with the economy looking the way it does right now, having gifts purchased early could be really beneficial if something was to happen to our income. (I’ll tell you later what we’re buying for a four year old boy and a two year old boy.)
5. Send the physical invitations with a month’s notice. Even though you may have emailed those most important to you about the date well in advance, reminding them with the physical invitation with enough notice is still necessary. Having something to stick on the fridge is much more likely to be remembered than an email in their inbox, lost among a sea of other “important” things. Include an RSVP date on your invitations. Hopefully people will actually remember to do so!
6. When the party rolls around, don’t be upset if people can’t attend. Our party, as an example, is the weekend before Thanksgiving. Those who are planning on traveling four days later for the turkey eating holiday might not be able to travel to the boys’ birthday. Money being what it is (have you seen the gas prices lately?), I will understand if people can’t cough up the money to drive on in twice in a week. It will be okay in the end.
Planning a birthday party around the holidays can be frustrating. I’ve learned to ignore the people who make fun of me and accuse me of over-planning. My birthday parties aren’t lavish affairs. I don’t rent bounce houses or bring in clowns. We make the food ourselves (but not the cake because I have no talent in that area). But I do try my hardest to make it an enjoyable day for my children and those that matter most to our family. Part of that process is starting the planning early enough so that a party can actually take place.
As such, November 22nd should be a lovely day for our sons. Loud, sure. But fun. (Buzz & Woody theme going on! You know you want to be there!)
18 Responses to “Planning a Birthday Party Close to the Holidays”
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Wow I had no idea it took so much planning. And I am impressed at how organized you are, buying presents for their birthdays and Christmas already!
Ari´s last blog ..Movie review/goal update
FireMom (465 comments) Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Ari; I’ll admit. I had no idea it took so much planning either. I got a huge taste of the issue at hand the year we were expecting LittleBrother. I was 37 weeks pregnant at BigBrother’s birthday party (huge, mind you). I had people who were grumpy about the date but I gave birth to LB one week after BB’s birthday. It was necessary to have it when we did. Obviously.
It was also that year that I really learned the close proximity to Christmas. We didn’t get Christmas cards out that year. And I over-purchased for Christmas because of last minute buying. Never again!
I couldn’t agree with you more! Hubby is the week of Thanksgiving, our little guy is TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS and our older son is in January!!! A little bit of a scheduling nightmare and we never want to do the “combo hoilday/birthday” for anyone. So I’m not laughing…I am applauding! Lol.
FireMom (465 comments) Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Renee; Ah, yes. So you get it. I’m really dreading the first year that Thanksgiving actually falls on LB’s birthday. (2011) Your holidays sound very busy. Enjoy this year’s planning!
I thought I had it rough trying to plan Bee’s party around the 4th of July (her bday is June 30th). It was only a little unfortunate before, but now that the girls’ dad and I are separated, and most of his family isn’t talking to me. So I spend a lot more time trying to find friends to rope into attending so I have some friendlies at the joint party! If I had to deal with end-of-year holiday scheduling conflicts on top of everything else, I might lose the will to survive.
You make it sound so…do-able!
Katie in MA´s last blog ..Apparently, my girls have gills.
FireMom (465 comments) Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Katie; my uncle is getting married on July 4th this year. I’m actually approving of the date as it allows us to attend a birthday party of a friend’s son the following weekend. But, yes, holidays, no natter when they fall, are tricky. And I’d attend your parties! And make faces at the not-so-nice people!
Birthday parties are fun to plan. Especially if you have a theme like Toy Story. Are you going to do a Pizza Planet thing? Can I dress my kids up as the little green aliens!?
Elle’s birthday is 10 days before Christmas, so I know how tricky it can be!
FireMom (465 comments) Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I don’t think your kids have to come in costume but it sure would be fun if they did! (BTW: I found a Mr. Incredible costume online the other day. I expect BB to be sporting it sometime after Christmas or birthday. Haven’t decided yet.) And, yes, I knew you would understand this post.
We are very laid back with birthdays but when it was time to plan my daughter’s baptism everyone (including the secretary at our church) gave me a hard time for planning it early. I had family coming in from all over so it had to be on a Saturday. My sister is my daughter’s Godmother so it needed to be on a weekend that she could come and when airfare was not too expensive (she is in Florida) and I didn’t want the baby to be too old. So, I called in July (even though she was not due until August 20) to plan for Oct. 11th. People picked on me but it all worked out easily.
Upstatemomof3´s last blog ..Hockey
FireMom (465 comments) Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Yes, I had to preplan LB’s baptism pretty far in advance. We didn’t know how big he would be and we wanted him to wear BB’s baptismal outfit. As such, we needed to have it before he outgrew his 0-3 month outfit. Why was BB’s so small? We baptized him the day after he turned one month old which just so happened to be our one year anniversary. (Couldn’t have planned that better had I tried!) So, yes, I get the early planning for a baptism as well, especially as our church doesn’t like to do baptisms during Advent. Good times!
Jack’s birthday is 3 weeks after Christmas, and that’s hard too. For his second birthday party, I almost forgot to send out invitations at all, because I was like “Christmas is done. I have some time to breathe.” Ooops!
I really do envy your organizational skills. I had one kid and all of mine went out the window.
FireMom (465 comments) Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Robyn; When I think of it, after Christmas sounds even more frustrating!
That said, my organizational skills have come from trial and error. Lots and lots of error. And just a bit more of the error for good measure.
It actually crossed my mind today to start picking out Christmas and birthday gifts (for niece and nephews, as well my own girls). I was somewhat appalled, but I know it’s only practical.
We do not have very big parties, though, usually just immediate family members. Which is plenty of people! Monkey’s next one (in November) will probably be the first one with friends from school. I haven’t decided on that yet.
And Bun’s birthday is Jan. 6, too weeks after Christmas. That’s always a tough one to pull off because everyone’s exhausted. But Bun shouldn’t get short thrift for being born in early January! Besides, she’s awfully cute.
ciao,
rpm
red pen mama´s last blog ..Time Out
FireMom (465 comments) Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Our parties have to be big. Our families? Are insane. I don’t mean crazy (though that’s probably debatable.) They’re just big. We also can’t “not” invite certain family members or all heck breaks loose. That said, those who would tend to complain are usually the ones that either don’t come or cancel at the last minute. Joy-fun with family!
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I feel your pain. My daughter is Nov 25.
FireMom (465 comments) Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
She’s the day after LB! BB is the 17th! Crazy fun.
Our church doesn’t like to do baptisms during Advent either. And both of my kids wore my baptismal gown so yeah planning was important.
And my daughter was born 2 days before my 5 year anniversary. So, how cool that your son’s Baptism was on your anniversary.
Upstatemomof3´s last blog ..How Come There Is Still Not Enough Time?