https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 14:14:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2409561 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 23:48:30 +0000 JennyD 2409561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so over kids parties... And my girl doesn't do well with more than one friend over at our house, and honestly, neither do we. Also, there's no way I'm paying $500 for a birthday party at Tomee K Play (they make you pay for the adults even!!!)</p> <p>We're opting for option 3: taking her and one of her friends to build a bear and then having cake and ice cream at our place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2409118 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 17:06:48 +0000 sunny 2409118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer parties at home both as the attendee and the party host. As the kids get older we may want to go to a venue though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2409116 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 17:04:57 +0000 mauxie 2409116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd go with the venue that takes care of everything/cheaper.. </p> <p>I have found that many of the kid places do allow you to bring in some sort of decor (minimal) or food, if you ask ahead of time. We did a kids gym party and brought in a lot of our own stuff, but were limited in terms of how much time we had for set up/take down. .. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2409109 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 16:56:50 +0000 Boogs 2409109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: We have birthdays that aren't during rainy season for, so we are fortunate in that way. Sure, germs are everywhere. I definitely feel like to each their own, we've just had a bunch of bad experiences with some nasty stuff, so it's not for us. I like putting parties together, and DH loves hosting a day full of fun for all, especially so we actually have time to talk to and hang out with everyone we might not see as often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408981 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:19:22 +0000 Canoli 2408981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: true! I always got stuff from Etsy and went overboard too but people are just so creative and crafty and do awesome work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408675 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:45:16 +0000 autumnlove 2408675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer home parties right now because people can just hang out. I enjoy the planning and decor for parties. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408658 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:36:10 +0000 pinkcupcake 2408658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: we live in the PNW so indoor play areas are a must since it rains continuously from oct - may. I don't see how a children's museum or play gym is different from preschool or library - you're surrounded by germs no matter where you go, so long as there are ppl, right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408398 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 10:06:34 +0000 californiadreams 2408398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i've done both and i like both. I am surprised that they won't let you bring anything else in. not to go crazy with personal details, but if there some specific decoration like a banner you wanted that matches the theme of the cake, i feel like you could ask or just bring it and they would not object. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408381 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 09:50:07 +0000 JenGirl 2408381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At that age I'd probably go option 1. When they're very young or older, I think it's easier to do things yourself but at 4 I think it would be more fun for the kids to have planned activities. My mom did small birthdays at home for me until I was about 6. Then we started alternating yearly between 1) a small at home party with 3-4 friends and family to 2) a big party at a venue where I invited the whole class. I thought that was a nice compromise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408366 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 09:36:00 +0000 cat620 2408366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it depends on what else I have going on in my life and how busy I am. I've done it both ways for my son. When he turned one, I had a party at my in-laws clubhouse, so I did all the decorations and food myself. It was fun, and I was proud of how nice it looked. But when he turned two, I was hugely pregnant with his brother and just too tired to put that much effort into a party, so I had it at Gymboree and they took care of everything. That was perfect for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408360 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 09:30:27 +0000 Alivoo01 2408360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is young so I foresee doing house parties for a few more years (maybe 5?) till he wants to invite friends and actually do stuff. When that happens, we'll outsource. I'm all for no clean up and cheaper! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408267 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 07:32:21 +0000 looch 2408267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am another "it depends on age vote" because I've noticed that once you get past the first birthday, it's got to be all about the activities. No kid cares how nicely the dessert table is laid out, they need to be doing some activity, so I am all about doing it at a venue. FWIW no one got sick following my son's 5th birthday party, even though it was in Decemeber. Past a certain age, when they're not mouthing things, the risk goes down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408261 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 07:18:41 +0000 Adira 2408261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While the idea of #1 sounds nice, we always do #2. Both my kids have food allergies, so being able to control all the food is really important to our family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408237 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 05:40:08 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2408237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Option 1 at a venue when it's a friend's party. For the earlier years when it's mostly family celebrating a party at home, Option 2- Lite would be better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408206 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 02:06:07 +0000 lamariniere 2408206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did DS's 5th birthday party at a venue that sounds like option 1. I was completely satisfied because all we had to do was bring a cake and show up. They did everything else! I probably would have spent almost as much on food/decor/entertainment/etc. in addition to time spent and cleanup. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408199 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 01:23:35 +0000 808love 2408199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Twice we did it at our house and twice at a venue. This year a venue. I already have a venue in mind for next year and then I think we will be done and just have bbq/sleepovers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408196 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 01:17:24 +0000 Boogs 2408196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: I've done a museum, a bouncy place, and chuck e cheese each once. Not even during flu season. And each of those times LO got sick. Seemed too much of a coincidence so we stay away from those places now. Since he's been in preschool he only caught a cold once. Totally get that he will get germs at school, but don't really want any extra ones. In comparison, school has been better to us.</p> <p>@regberadaisy: Lol, sorry! See for friends I totally understand a place like that. We usually have huge family parties, so option two works better for our crowd. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408105 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 22:15:24 +0000 misolee 2408105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For 2nd bday, option 2. Her friends are all similar in age so super easy to keep entertained and more of a parent time. </p> <p>For 3rd bday, did the first route bc it was super easy and the kids need way more to be entertained. Plus, I didn't have to clean up afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408101 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 22:06:32 +0000 littlejoy 2408101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: I'm so excited for her party!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408094 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 22:02:26 +0000 littlejoy 2408094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just did the gym route today. It was $240, and we were allowed to bring food. They supplied drinks, decorations, and led the kids through activities. It was awesome!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408080 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:56:29 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2408080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on age!<br /> For my sons first and second birthday, we did option 2. It's mostly just my family anyway! For his third birthday, we did option 1 (though we still brought our own food and minimal decorations- it was at an indoor gym/playground). </p> <p>As he gets older I can see doing a mix of types of birthday parties depending on what he wants to do (like a pool party one year, or sleepover another year, etc.). It also depends if the party is going to be mostly family (like a lot of adults), or mostly little kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408076 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:53:51 +0000 pinkcupcake 2408076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: we rented out a room at our local community center last year and that was fine! Was around $150 for 4 hours. I just have to think of my own activities then - the nice part of doing it at a kiddie venue is that they'll have activities for you, but if I do my own thing, I'll have to come up with my own games, entertainment, etc. It all adds up so quickly, especially if you rent performers!</p> <p>@youboots: that sounds fun, but since these kids are around 4 years old, I'll def need structured activities for them! I can't see a bunch of 4 year olds sitting nicely in a restaurant ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408075 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:51:54 +0000 PawPrints 2408075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now I'm much more into the creative DIY route, but I only have one LO and she's never had a party before. I imagine once we've done a few parties, the party-in-a-box route would be awesome. (Also I recall from my own childhood having an amazing time at some of those venue places.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408069 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:49:43 +0000 youboots 2408069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are having T's birthday party at a pizza place. We buy pizza- they give free pop. We are bringing cupcakes and decorating very little. People can buy beer or pay for the salad bar. Besides not having an activity it's perfect for us. Something similar may be a good fit for you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408066 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:46:52 +0000 regberadaisy 2408066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: are there other venues you would consider? I've been looking at spaces my town rents out too! Those are much less restrictive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408064 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:45:33 +0000 regberadaisy 2408064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: gah whyyyyy did you just mention that! Blah. At least M would be at the end of flu/cold season? Maybe I can go in before hand and Lysol wipe everything? Hahhaha</p> <p>I'm definitely more of a #2 person....but I'm hoping to have a (daycare) friend party for her 4th. In that regard a venue might be better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408060 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:42:56 +0000 Nutella 2408060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love decorating and making my own party food so would have to go with number 2. I also prefer the more low-key approach of having it at home, but that's prob because I'm just not used to playcentres (LO is nearly 2 &amp; isn't a fan). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408023 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 20:55:13 +0000 pinkcupcake 2408023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: I'm pregnant too, which is why I'm leaning towards the easier method but I'm so bummed that they won't let me bring in any decor! or even my own food - the only good allowed is pizza from a local pizza place :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408022 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 20:53:23 +0000 pinkcupcake 2408022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Canoli: interestingly, it's way less money to go the more convenient route for me. It'll be around $200 plus the cost of a cake to do a party at a children's venue, but I can see it easily costing $500+ if I threw my own (but that may also be because I tend to go overboard in planning, haha) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-rather-do#post-2408021 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 20:51:23 +0000 pinkcupcake 2408021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: curious - do you not do any indoor play activities then, like children's museums or gymnastics/tumbling or bouncy houses or anything? </p>