https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:42:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902627 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 16:02:33 +0000 periwinklebee 2902627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: you make me feel so much better!</p> <p>@bhbee: yeah, in some cases I know people want and plan for their kids to be born at a specific time of year, but also know a lot of us don't have that kind of fertility and it's just how it worked out! Good for seasonally appropriate hand-me-downs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902620 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:09:38 +0000 bhbee 2902620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Off topic but I’m amazed how many of us have kids with very close bdays! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902600 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 14:07:30 +0000 Kemma 2902600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My second child turned three ten days before his sister arrived and we just did a low key afternoon tea party the weekend before his birthday. Just a few friends, cake and finger food and two party games - he was perfectly happy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902589 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:58:31 +0000 LemonJack 2902589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since it’s a 3 year old party, I would just do family after the baby arrives. My older two girls have birthdays a week apart. We celebrated my ODD’s 3rd birthday about two weeks after her sister was born, but it was super simple because it was just family, we ordered pizza and a cake, and it was low key. She liked having a celebration focusing on her. </p> <p>I definitely wouldn’t have been up for hosting a big friends/family party at that point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902581 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:26:42 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2902581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: omg basically blow up 20 balloons and he will be in heaven! I think I asked him what he wanted and he said hot dogs and cupcakes so that’s what we had! Do not feel guilty at all, it’s a fun memory! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902576 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:48:11 +0000 MamaBear87 2902576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: no shame in that! Your kid will think it's the best thing ever </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902575 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:43:31 +0000 periwinklebee 2902575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: @muffinsmuffins: Not trying to threadjack, but you all are making me feel so much better about my LO's birthday a few weeks after his sister is due. So true - I'm going to put DH in charge of balloons, which I think he'll love, and order pizza (his favorite food) and some sugary treat, and I'm pretty sure my toddler will be in heaven :grin: Such a contrast I'm sure to when they are tweens and nothing mom does is good enough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902573 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:34:34 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2902573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ha our youngest was born early September and we skipped our older sons 4th birthday in early November! Meaning, we didn’t have a kids party, just invited the grandparents over for pizza and cake. We decorated the house and blew up balloons and he loved it. We were so so so exhausted, I can’t imagine hosting a regular kids party a month after with a newborn. For his 5th party this year we did the whole thing at a gym with kids from school and all good. They don’t remember these things! </p> <p>I would vote for before from your options, but I really would say skip it. If you have family that could watch the baby, you could even take him out for something special on his day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902572 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:31:24 +0000 MamaBear87 2902572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: if your kiddo was going to be 5 I would absolutely suck it up for a family tradition. At 3 they don't really get it. I'd just do something small, get a fancy cake and a bunch of balloons.<br /> Your son will be jazzed and you won't have the stress of a party super pregnant. I know with my second there's no way I could have done at party at 36ish weeks but hopefully your pregnancy will allow it 🙂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902568 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:14:10 +0000 Mommy Finger 2902568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also vote skipping a big party and just doing something small with family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902564 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 10:50:55 +0000 periwinklebee 2902564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm due a few weeks before LOs second birthday. which is in January. We're skipping a friends party, it would have to be indoors and I don't want a bunch of germy toddlers around a newborn during flu season, early wouldn't work b/c of the holidays. But if a choice between the two, I would definitely do early. There's so much to worry about already with a newborn, and I'd worry a toddler could still be in the throes a few weeks later of adjusting to the new sibling and a party on top of that could be overwhelming for them too... </p> <p>I feel a bit guilty - LO had the flu with 105 degree fever and an allergic reaction to tamiflu on his first birthday, it's the most miserable I've ever seen him. The flu seemed to weaken his immune system and he was sick several weeks straight immediately after the flu, then DH was away on an international business trip and sick, so there was virtually no first birthday celebration to speak of. I do want to make his second birthday special, and hope I'm not too overwhelmed with the newborn to swing something low key but super fun with family... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902553 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:45:32 +0000 graceandjoy 2902553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd really consider skipping party too in lieu of just doing something really special before baby arrives. But if I MUST choose, I'd choose before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902552 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:44:55 +0000 erinbaderin 2902552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you’re thinking you’ll likely have a scheduled c section then I’d plan it for two weeks before his birthday - that way it’s not SO early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902551 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:44:03 +0000 bhbee 2902551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: that sounds perfect! We had an indoor play place party (I have 2 January bdays) and it was so great - the kids took care of themselves! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902550 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:43:05 +0000 JennyPenny 2902550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I should mention that our "big parties" have all been pretty tame. In fact, I think all of them have been just renting a shelter at a park, getting some catering, and a few balloons and streamers. And now that I type it out, I'm remembering there's a cool indoor playground that we could rent that would have a similar laid back vibe but be suitable for March.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902548 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:41:37 +0000 LadyDi 2902548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’d rather host a party super pregnant than a few weeks postpartum. DS3 was due 2 weeks after DS1’s 4th bday. I still had his party close to his bday but we hosted it at our house with just grandparents and a couple close friends. I had it catered and ordered a cake. I figured if I went into labor early and was in the hospital that the grandparents could still have a little bash with him at our house. I’d skip a big party if I were you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902547 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:39:16 +0000 JennyPenny 2902547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: @josina: @lindseykaye: Thanks for the replies ladies. To answer your questions:</p> <p>My first was born on his due date and 2nd was a c-section a few days before his due date, so no history of early labor. Since I had a c-section before, I'll probably schedule a repeat at 39 weeks (a few days before DS2's birthday) so I don't think I risk going late. </p> <p>If I make it to a c-section date I would likely be going home the day before DS2's actual birthday. In my mind, this is the most likely outcome and so it makes me nervous to plan on trying to make his actual day particularly special. We also had decided many moons ago that odd years would be party years and even years would be small family celebrations so I think it's important to honor that. </p> <p>@lindseykaye: That's a really good point about baby siphoning attention if it's after... and giving DS something that's just for him before the chaos of baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902546 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:38:13 +0000 bhbee 2902546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would skip it also, we did this actually, my son was born 11 days before my daughter turned 3. We had the neighbor kid over for pizza and cake on her actual bday and it was great. I think they don’t care too much about friends at that age really, they just want to be special! So like above any special outing or celebration will be great. That said we haven’t had big parties before 5 so I know I’m biased. For my son’s 4th bday we met his 2 cousins at Chuck E Cheese and it was so great. I still booked it as a party (price turned it about the same) so he got all the special recognition, his own table, etc but was logistically easy and didn’t break the bank. Three might be a little young to really love that though. </p> <p>That said if you want a party I’d definitely choose before. Better turnout if you know the friends and as much as you may be cranky/tired by then, fewer unknowns with the baby. It’s always so complicated to get anything done with newborn feeding! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902545 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:27:59 +0000 lindseykaye 2902545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have a history of early labor/delivery? Just curious if this is informing your options.</p> <p>I voted to do it early, since that would allow you to include your LO's current classmates. At this age I don't remember how much expectation there is for birthdays but I think having something special for him, before there is a sibling in the mix, will be nice.<br /> For context, my older DD had her birthday about 3 weeks before DD2's due date last year. She's a lot older (was turning 6) but I was really really happy we were able to have her party before LO came so that she could have her celebration be totally about her (and not have the new baby siphoning attention). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902544 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:26:34 +0000 josina 2902544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I'd skip it. At 3 I would just invite family over or even just do something special with him pre-baby, like the movie theater or a special outing. I feel like one month difference either way is huge., just make his actual day as special as you can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902543 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:25:21 +0000 MamaBear87 2902543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this depends on how late your practice will let you go. My second was a week late and no way at 3 weeks pp would I have been ready to host a party.<br /> Can you just do a small family party this year and skip the big bash? That's what I would do to mitigate stress. And then would do it late i think </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-scheduling-wwyd#post-2902541 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:16:53 +0000 JennyPenny 2902541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm currently pregnant and this LO is due just a few days after DS2's 3rd birthday. I'd like for him to have a birthday party still and my gut says I should schedule it for like a month before his actual birthday. But I started second guessing myself and wondering if a month or so after his birthday would be better? A month before and I possibly risk having everything ruined by an early arrival. A month after I definitely have the stress of having a newborn, but there's not risk of missing it entirely. Also his birthday is in April, so a party in March would likely be cold and need to be at a venue, a party in May, we could probably do a park. Another consideration is that his school transitions you to a new class right around your birthday so a March party would include his current classmates, whereas I'm not sure who I'd include in May...it'd probably depend on when he actually moves up :-/ So, with all that - what would you do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-invitations-for-1st-birthday#post-2805525 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:06:43 +0000 nwm 2805525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i did paper for the first because i was excited and i enjoy doing them : ) they're so pretty! i'm glad i did it. i probably would have preferred them for second birthday, but the time just got away from me until i felt like i had to go with email. so i did paperless post, which is great in its own right and feels pretty special to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-invitations-for-1st-birthday#post-2805524 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:47:36 +0000 jhd 2805524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I made a photo card invite for the first bday even though it was only for family. I just wanted to! I haven’t done anything but a text invite since. We haven’t done a party yet where we invited anyone but family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-invitations-for-1st-birthday#post-2805467 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:52:43 +0000 erinbaderin 2805467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did emails and texts for the first two because we were just inviting friends and family. Once we started inviting daycare friends then I did paper invites. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-invitations-for-1st-birthday#post-2805463 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:37:08 +0000 Jennibenni 2805463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We texted a digital invite...still got the looks without the hassle. This was family only though so for a larger group I would do evites. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-invitations-for-1st-birthday#post-2805457 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 16:29:54 +0000 youboots 2805457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can’t remember. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-invitations-for-1st-birthday#post-2805455 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 16:22:49 +0000 looch 2805455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think paper invites are great, just make it easy on the guests to RSVP electronically. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-invitations-for-1st-birthday#post-2805446 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 15:19:56 +0000 petitenoisette 2805446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did paper invites for her first bday only. It’s a big milestone! We haven’t had a bday party beyond immediate family since then, so no paper invites after that (3rd bday this weekend). I like that we have it as a keepsake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-invitations-for-1st-birthday#post-2805443 Wed, 21 Feb 2018 15:10:36 +0000 agold 2805443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I sent out paper invitations because they were so cute and I loved them. But they were a totally unnecessary expense; word of mouth would have been just fine, especially if its just family. I sent them mostly for my own personal satisfaction. </p>