LO is turning 2 in June. His birthday is right around Father’s Day. I’m debating whether to have a BBQ party for him and immediate family or invite his classmates? It would be 1.5/2 hours either way after his nap. Is this a birthday where we should have a big celebration? His One BD it was just immediate family at our home with cake and pizza it was stress free and great. I’m expecting #2 in August and would prefer no worrying or stress but I wouldn’t mind having alittle party 
Thank you!
pomegranate / 3973 posts
I just plan on doing immediate family until my LO's are in school and old enough for drop-off only parties.
At 2 LO will be happy with anything I think! I'd do what is easiest for you.
cantaloupe / 6085 posts
Yep same as above ... do what makes you happy. My kids basically got only their two cousins until 5th bday, like just pizza and cake at home. If you do decide to do something, maybe try for a park playground, not at mealtime. Then entertainment is provided, you can just give out bubble wands and snacks and call it good. But I think a day where LO just gets special focus and cake is equally good!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I think most two year olds would be more overwhelmed with a big party. I would do family only.
persimmon / 1082 posts
@josina: It was stress free and also he had fun(not really knowing what was going on)!
pear / 1565 posts
My kids are 4 and 2 and we've yet to have a classmates party. Both girls have been super happy with just celebrating at home/family. My 2 year old is clingy and was not that happy at the last birthday party she attended, so do what's best for your kids!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
For two years straight I attended DH’s coworker’s kid’s birthday party on Father’s Day and it was miserable. Unless it’s just family you ultimately choose to celebrate with please host the party on an alternative weekend. Is your LO looking forward to an actual party? If not, skip until he does. Just do something super manageable for you.
persimmon / 1082 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: No haha, he’s not “expecting” a party! We would do it on an alternative weekend if we go the party route. However, I’m just thinking family and will bring cupcakes to his classroom w/ goodie bags. Thanks for your feedback though!
pomegranate / 3231 posts
We did not invite the entire class until about a month ago when my son turned five. But I did go into his daycare classroom and read a book to celebrate turning two. And we had a party at home with family and friends, but I don't think we invited anyone from daycare.
We only invited friends with kids who our son actually knew. (The prior year, for his first birthday, we invited EVERYONE. But that party was really for me, not for him!)
We hosted his first four birthdays at home, and each year they got smaller. His fourth birthday was basically a big playdate with about 5-6 kids, brunch food, and a ton of balloons. Then for his fifth birthday we chose a venue and invited his entire preschool class (14 kids including my son) plus two other friends from outside school.
squash / 13199 posts
@cake2017: we go against the grain and skip parties for the 1st and 2nd birthdays. They are too unpredictable at that age for a structured party with friends and cake etc. More often than not kids of that age either fall asleep or have meltdowns at key moments in the party. My oldest had her 1st real party at age 3. And my middle and youngest will have their 1st party at age 3 also.
cantaloupe / 6171 posts
For lo1, I did a daycare-class party starting at age 2, partly because she's in a mixed-age group so I wanted to reciprocate invites for families in the class. But, it def wasn't necessary and she was actually pretty overwhelmed that year by it. I was going to do a joint-party this year for my los, ages 2 and 5, but couldn't find a venue big enough (NYC problems haha), so we ended up making the party just for the 5yo, and skipping lo2's party (we had cake and presents at home). She's still so young that she didn't notice at all!
coconut / 8079 posts
We have only done family parties so far: our parents and siblings and LO’s cousins. I would totally stick to the easy family party, especially if you’re pregnant!
persimmon / 1345 posts
I vote family party. When my LO2 was turning two, (i was also 8 months pregnant) we went out to eat with my parents, came home and had cake and opened presents. He had no idea. He just turned three and we had a home party with 3 friends and their moms. It was also super simple and he kind of knows about birthdays but it still wasn’t something he was looking forward to or anything. One of those three year old had a complete meltdown where he was pitching a fit and made himself throw up 
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