B-day party ettiquette and ??s

[iJenny]

So Cameron turns seven at the end of the month. And after much hem-ing and haw-ing, it appears he has decided upon a movie party. He wants to take about 8 friends to see Monsters Vs. Aliens which comes out ON his b-day. We'll get the kids into the movie and get them each a snackpack which is a kid popcorn and drink and a small candy. I think its a neat idea and Cam is totally stoked.

Here is my only concern...

There is no place at or near the theater that we could do presents. Which means his friends will bring presents to the theater, but we'll just take them home and open them after the party. Is that rude? Or bad? I'm a pretty easy-going person so this kind of stuff wouldn't bother me. But would it bother you or your kids?

I considered taking all the kids back to our house after the party for presents and maybe a few games but...

1) it will be a looooooooong party if we do that. Between arriving at the theater, watching the movie, loading everyone up, driving home, presents, and games.... thats like 4 hours! Too long for most kids (not to mention myself lol)
2) transportation is an issue. Not only the logistics of fitting that many kids safely in vehicles (WITH booster seats that the parents would have to leave at the theater, oy!) but some parents might not be comfortable with me or DH driving their kids around town.

SO.... is it lame to do just the movie and snacks w/o opening presents? Or am I just over-thinking this? Hmm... maybe I'll do a poll.

Stand by...

[WalkersMommy]

I don't think that is lame! I'm sure they will all have a great time regardless of seeing your ds open his presents

[CA Dreamer]

A movie party sounds like so much fun--especially with a newelease movie! I wouldn't worry about opening the presents. We have had many parties that are held at a party place(jumper houses, gaming, planetarium, zoo, gymnastics, etc) or other site out of the home. I think people understand the logistic issue.

[jessica31876]

I dont think the kids will care at all and the parents would most likely understand too since you are footing the bill for the movies and taking 8 kids at that yikes that is a handful of kids in a move theater!! LOL Id just thank them for the thought and send a thank you note to each person saying how much cameron enjoyed seeing them at his party and how much he loves_______(fill in the blank with what they got him).

[Tracyfish]

I think the kids will be so excited about the movie that they won't even care about the present opening. Go with it!

[Rae's World]

I have done it and it works great. No one minds about the presents!! Go for it an enjoy!!

[lizzyfizzy]

i voted the last one cause i'm pretty sure you stole those words out of my brain.

[MelissaL88]

I voted for the last one because it cracked me up!

I wouldn't worry about it at all. I would just make sure to send thank you notes to all the kids, since they won't see Cameron open the presents.

[lauren grier]

I voted yer on crack.. .cause.. well.. that's what I always tell people

[Shawna Clingerman]

thats a great idea! you should totally do the party that way. You could just make an extra effort to do thank you notes so that everyone knows you got their gifts. I think that is a great b-day party idea!

[cheltzey]

Honestly, I'd tell people not to bring presents. Kids have enough stuff as it is, and it would just give you more hassle.

[momtutu]

We did a party once where there wasn't time to open gifts. What I ended up doing was taking a picture of DS smiling and holding each gift after opening it at home and then put the pic in the thank-you note. Just an idea.

[AnnieBananie]

I can't vote because I choose all 3...

It's no biggie, and I think you're rude AND on crack

j/k... I say go for it!

[pbumbaca]

I voted that you are on crack because I liked it but seriously I think it's fine to do it that way. If you or DH take all the presents out to the car before the movie starts most of the kiddos will probably forget about them anyway!

[rachaelsscraps]

Originally Posted by Shawna Clingerman

thats a great idea! you should totally do the party that way. You could just make an extra effort to do thank you notes so that everyone knows you got their gifts. I think that is a great b-day party idea!

That's what i was going to say... let him write out thank you notes/cards afterward

[ColleenSwerb]

I voted you're on crack, because it made me giggle

I think it's fine Jenny. The kids will be so excited and jabbering about hte movie that they'll forget all about presents afterwards.

[ajf9597]

I think it's fine to not open presents. Honestly usually the kids don't even notice, we actually started when DS was 4 not opening presents at the party. One you can't keep track of who gave what and you have all the other kids wanting to open every single package that is opened.