Birthday Party WWYD

[UnderTheStars]

My daughter is turning 5 next week. We didn't really plan a party, but she said she really wanted to go to a local pizza place that has a huge play area for kids. I'm totally fine with that, but I'm not sure how to handle our family... I am ok paying for DH and I and the kids as a splurge for DD's birthday request, but this place is pretty pricey for us (plus there is an admission charge for the play area) so we cannot afford to pay for food for anyone else.

EVERYONE keeps asking us if we are having a party for her and seem really put off when we've said no. I know they all want to see her and celebrate with us, but I really want to honor DD's request (especially since a couple weeks ago when I asked what she wanted for her birthday, she said "It doesn't matter, I'm just excited to see what I get!" ). So how would you handle this? I can't just not say anything because DD has a big 'ole mouth and will absolutely talk about it...plus I DO want them to be there, but I know it's totally tacky to say "Hey, we're having a get together at XYZ but you have to pay for your own food!" I'm just not sure how to handle it.

[megenic]

I would just have your family at the pizza place, then maybe the next weekend have a get together at your house for everyone else. Do it from 2-4 then you don't have to serve a meal, just some snacks. Put up some balloons and streamers and voila - its a party!

[junebug2311]

I agree with pp.

[JennTheMomma]

I would either say yes you can come but I cannot afford to pay for everyone's pizza. Or set up something else with the family and just you and your family go to the pizza place.

[Heather8183]

I would just tell them all DD wanted was to the pizza place, and kind of make a disappointed face and say, "I just know that I won't be able to afford to pay for everyone to go"

[TalkinBoutMyGirl]

They are family so I'd just admit its not a formal party but that L wanted to go play and eat pizza. They are welcome to join if they want but you won't be paying for everyone since its just a casual thing. They should understand.

[EmilytheStrange]

Originally Posted by TalkinBoutMyGirl They are family so I'd just admit its not a formal party but that L wanted to go play and eat pizza. They are welcome to join if they want but you won't be paying for everyone since its just a casual thing. They should understand.

totally.

it's family - I'm sure they'll understand.

just say 'we weren't going to do a party, but we let her choose where to get dinner. This is the place she chose, you're more than welcome to join us, but everyone will have to go dutch'.

[armywife2002]

Originally Posted by TalkinBoutMyGirl They are family so I'd just admit its not a formal party but that L wanted to go play and eat pizza. They are welcome to join if they want but you won't be paying for everyone since its just a casual thing. They should understand.

thats what my sister just did for her step daughter. partly because of the money, partly because it was her moms weekend, and they got a very limited timeframe, and mom isnt good about being on time... they didnt want to plan a party, and have her not be there, lol.

we went to chuck-e-cheese, and my son was the only other kid there, so she used one of the family meal coupons for pizza, drinks, and 50 tokens for like $30, shared tokens with ds, and everyone else was on there own.

her mother-in-law kept complaining, but everyone else had fun, lol

[jemanly02]

Are you talking about Happy Joe's? If so, yes, that place is expensive (but oh so yummy, I go crazy eating taco pizza every time I am home). I'd also just do it as a family, and have a small get together for everyone else.

[UnderTheStars]

Originally Posted by Heather8183 I would just tell them all DD wanted was to the pizza place, and kind of make a disappointed face and say, "I just know that I won't be able to afford to pay for everyone to go"

This is what I did today for my mom - she said she was coming anyhow, so that's good! My inlaws will probably will probably get their panties in a bunch but I guess I will work harder on my sad pouty face... I don't want to host a party at our house, at all, which is the whole reason why we didn't plan a party to begin with. Even the smallest gatherings end up being so much work and stress for me.