Comments on: Simple Parties: Freedom to NOT Overdo! http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:03:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kirstin http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21133 Kirstin Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:53:38 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21133 Great post. I've always made my girl's birthday parties all about them. I ask them what they want to eat, who they want to invite, etc...We tell them how many friends to invite. I've seen parties where the majority of the guests are adults, and there is no focus on the child whatsoever. When they were little, the parents sometimes stayed, now, they drop their girls off (usually because there's a slumber party involved), and come back later to get them. Since we're youth pastors, our girls will often invite a few of our young adults who are close to them relationally. We usually have dinner (something easy), snacks and whatever dessert they want. Last year my oldest chose chocolate fondue with lots of items to dip, and cut up fruit with dip. It was a HUGE hit! We've had everything from sloppy joes, turkey burgers, chili, fettucini and teriyaki kabobs! Whatever they feel like. Great post. I’ve always made my girl’s birthday parties all about them. I ask them what they want to eat, who they want to invite, etc…We tell them how many friends to invite. I’ve seen parties where the majority of the guests are adults, and there is no focus on the child whatsoever. When they were little, the parents sometimes stayed, now, they drop their girls off (usually because there’s a slumber party involved), and come back later to get them. Since we’re youth pastors, our girls will often invite a few of our young adults who are close to them relationally.

We usually have dinner (something easy), snacks and whatever dessert they want. Last year my oldest chose chocolate fondue with lots of items to dip, and cut up fruit with dip. It was a HUGE hit! We’ve had everything from sloppy joes, turkey burgers, chili, fettucini and teriyaki kabobs! Whatever they feel like.

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21130 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:37:54 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21130 A Chicken Spread Party? Can we call it that, too? It sounds like something that needs to happen at the same time we host our First Annual Chicken Chase Competition! Don't forget your boots! A Chicken Spread Party? Can we call it that, too? It sounds like something that needs to happen at the same time we host our First Annual Chicken Chase Competition! Don’t forget your boots!

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21129 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:35:56 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21129 Goodie bags? It's all good if you want to go for it! I personally haven't done goodie bags in about 4 years, the last time I threw a massive bday party. I noticed that after all the money we spent on the neat things to put in the bags [not a TON of money, but it was moolah nonetheless!], a lot of the kids didn't really appreciate the gesture that much. I actually had to go outside after the party and pick up a lot of goodie bag toys and candy off the lawn because some of the kids had been...um...careless? So yes, that made me question the idea of goodie bags in the first place.... However, if your party is kept smallish and simple, then it would be even easier to whip up a few [more meaningful?] goodies for the guests. :D Goodie bags? It’s all good if you want to go for it! I personally haven’t done goodie bags in about 4 years, the last time I threw a massive bday party. I noticed that after all the money we spent on the neat things to put in the bags [not a TON of money, but it was moolah nonetheless!], a lot of the kids didn’t really appreciate the gesture that much. I actually had to go outside after the party and pick up a lot of goodie bag toys and candy off the lawn because some of the kids had been…um…careless? So yes, that made me question the idea of goodie bags in the first place….

However, if your party is kept smallish and simple, then it would be even easier to whip up a few [more meaningful?] goodies for the guests. :D

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21128 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:28:15 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21128 Holly, YOU are so sweet! Thank you so much for your encouraging comments! Holly, YOU are so sweet! Thank you so much for your encouraging comments!

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21127 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:27:08 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21127 Aw, thanks for having me, Sandy! This was a lovely experience~! :D Aw, thanks for having me, Sandy! This was a lovely experience~! :D

]]> By: Kelli http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21123 Kelli Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:24:59 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21123 Too bad you didn't have any chicken spread pics! Because no Amber party is complete without the chicken spread! Remember that! Can you throw a chicken spread party for me? =) Love the post and I do think you throw the most awesome, low-stress parties! Even with my budget friendly park party for Emma was a bit overwhelming!! Love, Kelli Too bad you didn’t have any chicken spread pics! Because no Amber party is complete without the chicken spread! Remember that! Can you throw a chicken spread party for me? =)
Love the post and I do think you throw the most awesome, low-stress parties! Even with my budget friendly park party for Emma was a bit overwhelming!!
Love,
Kelli

]]> By: AnneMarieZ http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21121 AnneMarieZ Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:41:58 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21121 Amber, what is your idea on goodie bags?? .-= AnneMarieZ´s last blog ..<a href="http://annemariez.blogspot.com/2010/06/crossing-guard.html" rel="nofollow">crossing guard</a> =-. Amber, what is your idea on goodie bags??
.-= AnneMarieZ´s last blog ..crossing guard =-.

]]> By: Holly L http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21114 Holly L Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:53:18 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21114 I already adore Amber and her blog. LOVE your style Amber! I had to find a balance between over the top and practical but still meaningful. My life as a wedding planner made me want to make everything "too much." But, I have finally come to grips with what is important when it comes to my family and entertaining. Everyone's birthday (the actual day) is celebrated with a meal of their choice and a dessert of their choice (usually ice cream cake). GREAT TIPS AMBER! .-= Holly L´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.504main.com/2010/05/diy-club-finally-fat-free-biscuits.html" rel="nofollow">DIY Club! Finally Fat-Free Biscuits!</a> =-. I already adore Amber and her blog. LOVE your style Amber! I had to find a balance between over the top and practical but still meaningful. My life as a wedding planner made me want to make everything “too much.” But, I have finally come to grips with what is important when it comes to my family and entertaining. Everyone’s birthday (the actual day) is celebrated with a meal of their choice and a dessert of their choice (usually ice cream cake).

GREAT TIPS AMBER!
.-= Holly L´s last blog ..DIY Club! Finally Fat-Free Biscuits! =-.

]]> By: Sandy http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21112 Sandy Wed, 02 Jun 2010 04:26:54 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21112 Loved this post, Amber. My kids are all teens now but the majority of parties have been right around their birthday - in our home. I think those are the best birthdays! I was just looking at pix the other day. Thanks for being here today and adding your insight! Wonderful! Sandy Loved this post, Amber. My kids are all teens now but the majority of parties have been right around their birthday – in our home. I think those are the best birthdays! I was just looking at pix the other day. Thanks for being here today and adding your insight! Wonderful!
Sandy

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21110 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:39:11 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21110 Did ya make it out of Chuck-E-Cheese okay? ;) I love the way your low-key bday parties sound! Fun, but not overwhelming! Did ya make it out of Chuck-E-Cheese okay? ;) I love the way your low-key bday parties sound! Fun, but not overwhelming!

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21109 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:36:35 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21109 Ha!! But now you know, right? Just be free to do whatever your family wants to do from here on out - and don't worry 'bout it! Thanks, girl! Ha!! But now you know, right? Just be free to do whatever your family wants to do from here on out – and don’t worry ’bout it!
Thanks, girl!

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21108 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:35:26 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21108 I think you are totally balanced with celebrating your kiddo's big day! It sounds like a simple good time! :D I think you are totally balanced with celebrating your kiddo’s big day! It sounds like a simple good time! :D

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21107 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:32:34 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21107 Celebrating Unbirthdays? I love that, too! :D And I agree: togetherness is one of the most important aspects of celebrating! Celebrating Unbirthdays? I love that, too! :D
And I agree: togetherness is one of the most important aspects of celebrating!

]]> By: ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21106 ClassiclyAmber Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:30:34 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21106 Ah, you are so right, Amanda! Sometimes, it really DOES become all about competing, doesn't it? And competing is a stressful, money-draining experience! None of that matters to the kids, though. Like you said, they still have a blast without all of that. It took me too long to learn my lesson! Ah, you are so right, Amanda! Sometimes, it really DOES become all about competing, doesn’t it? And competing is a stressful, money-draining experience! None of that matters to the kids, though. Like you said, they still have a blast without all of that. It took me too long to learn my lesson!

]]> By: Chrissy http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21104 Chrissy Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:44:34 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21104 Great post! We traditionally celebrate at home with just us on the kids' actual birthdays, and then have a get-together with family on the weekend before or after (usual at Grandma's house). My son had his 5th birthday last year and since it was a milestone birthday, for the first time we had it with some of his friends at Chuck-E-Cheese. It was okay, but I prefer our lower-key ones at home and Grandma's :) Great post! We traditionally celebrate at home with just us on the kids’ actual birthdays, and then have a get-together with family on the weekend before or after (usual at Grandma’s house).
My son had his 5th birthday last year and since it was a milestone birthday, for the first time we had it with some of his friends at Chuck-E-Cheese. It was okay, but I prefer our lower-key ones at home and Grandma’s :)

]]> By: He & Me + 3 http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21103 He & Me + 3 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:25:54 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21103 What great tips for party planning. I wish I had read this before the end of May. :) .-= He & Me + 3´s last blog ..<a href="http://dingdingdorn.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-would-like-to-know.html" rel="nofollow">I Would Like To Know...</a> =-. What great tips for party planning. I wish I had read this before the end of May. :)
.-= He & Me + 3´s last blog ..I Would Like To Know… =-.

]]> By: Christina http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21101 Christina Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:56:30 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21101 My little goober is two, so he's not exactly to the competition phase of the game. But he definitely already associates birthdays with balloons and cake, and since he LOVES both of those things, it is pretty easy to please him. He gets a simple cake with frosting, and he's thrilled. I loved this post, I think it was very helpful. Good job, Amber! .-= Christina´s last blog ..<a href="http://eatingcookies.net/?p=302" rel="nofollow">An Open Letter to my Arch-Nemesis</a> =-. My little goober is two, so he’s not exactly to the competition phase of the game. But he definitely already associates birthdays with balloons and cake, and since he LOVES both of those things, it is pretty easy to please him. He gets a simple cake with frosting, and he’s thrilled.

I loved this post, I think it was very helpful. Good job, Amber!
.-= Christina´s last blog ..An Open Letter to my Arch-Nemesis =-.

]]> By: Adelle @ ready...GO!...get set http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21099 Adelle @ ready...GO!...get set Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:33:14 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21099 Such a good reminder! In theory, I'm on board. In practice, not always. I'm with Amanda on the kid-party thing, too. We have TWO birthdays in June, and with school letting out, we will never be able to have big-blowout birthdays unless we start throwing Un-Birthdays in March or October! But my boys don't mind - they want people around them (family), a friend or two) a cake, and candles. That's really all it takes. We'll be taking one kid and his best friend somewhere fun for the day - like a local amusement park, and the other we'll celebrate over the 4th of July. He doesn't mind it's a week after his birthday, and it's perfect b/c we're all together as a family. That's all that really matters! Thank you for the lovely post and lovely photos! Such a good reminder! In theory, I’m on board. In practice, not always.

I’m with Amanda on the kid-party thing, too. We have TWO birthdays in June, and with school letting out, we will never be able to have big-blowout birthdays unless we start throwing Un-Birthdays in March or October! But my boys don’t mind – they want people around them (family), a friend or two) a cake, and candles. That’s really all it takes. We’ll be taking one kid and his best friend somewhere fun for the day – like a local amusement park, and the other we’ll celebrate over the 4th of July. He doesn’t mind it’s a week after his birthday, and it’s perfect b/c we’re all together as a family. That’s all that really matters!

Thank you for the lovely post and lovely photos!

]]> By: Amanda @ Serenity Now http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21095 Amanda @ Serenity Now Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:14:52 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21095 This was a wonderful guest post. :) I have really learned to stop "competing" when it comes to my kids' birthday parties. We just don't have the money to rent out the local gymnastics place, ballet studio, rent a bouncy house, etc. I plan ahead of time for my girls' parties, but we keep it simple now. And the kids are just as happy! .-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SerenityNow-aMommysSolutionToStayingSane/~3/ZMn52nFfVqI/why-i-dont-have-book-club.html" rel="nofollow">Why I Don't Have Book Club</a> =-. This was a wonderful guest post. :) I have really learned to stop “competing” when it comes to my kids’ birthday parties. We just don’t have the money to rent out the local gymnastics place, ballet studio, rent a bouncy house, etc. I plan ahead of time for my girls’ parties, but we keep it simple now. And the kids are just as happy!
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Why I Don’t Have Book Club =-.

]]> By: Simple Celebrations – on The Reluctant Entertainer | ClassiclyAmber http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/06/simple-parties-freedom-to-not-overdo/#comment-21089 Simple Celebrations – on The Reluctant Entertainer | ClassiclyAmber Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:08:04 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=6452#comment-21089 [...] will be talking about how our family does simple parties – so be sure to click over and check it out. Don’t be nervous [like me]. Use that Comment button over on her blog to speak to me – [...] [...] will be talking about how our family does simple parties – so be sure to click over and check it out. Don’t be nervous [like me]. Use that Comment button over on her blog to speak to me – [...]

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