School Bday Party or Family?

I am so torn on what to do. My DD is turning 5 in September and we usually do a family birthday for my daughter but now that she is in school do I do 2 parties one for family and one for her classmates? Its so expensive I can't see myself doing 2 parties. My family alone is 40 people. I was asking around if people combine them but they don't. What do you moms usually do when they are in school?

FYI...last year when she was in Pre-K we didn't do a party with her classmates because we barely know anyone and it was the beginning of the school year. Now that she's going into K in the same school I feel obligated because we were invited to all of those kids birthdays.

thanks!

Re: School Bday Party or Family?

Don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to. DS is still young but got invited to a few bday parties at bounce places, etc. His 3rd bday is coming up and we are only doing a BBQ/cake at home with immediate family only. We did this last year as well.

Another alternative you can do is if you are having a bday party for friends at a place, you can have family over at the house for cake afterwards.

Re: School Bday Party or Family?

Re: School Bday Party or Family?

This is my issue as well. I decided to take the money i wouldve spent on parties and put it towards a disney vacation! we'll just do cake with family the weekend before his bday and spend his actual bday on vacation.

Re: School Bday Party or Family?

What does your dd say about a friend party? Does she have her heart set on one? I feel like at that age, kids would be more likely to regret not having a friend party as opposed to not having a family one, especially once she goes to everyone else's party as the year goes on.

Can you just do "cake" for the family? Have a casual get-together of dessert only for whatever family members can come? I think that's what I'm doing for dd this year in regards to family be issue I can't afford to fully feed all our family members on top of a kiddie party!