Birthday party dilema

[RedTiger]

Ryan will be 2, 2 weeks tomorrow We've always had a little party in the house for DD - just grandparents, aunties & uncles, cousins + 1 set of friends (because they always invite us to their kids parties!) I just normally do a buffet, nothing fancy - sandwiches, sausages, snack type things from supermarkets frozen range, crisps, cakes, etc (nice healthy stugg y'know :wik: ) The kids just play - no party games or anything.

Anyway I really can't be bothered having anything for Ryan this year I was going to have it on the Sunday avo before his birthday but DH will be away on business on the Saturday night and will be back at some point on the Sunday. He said he will be back for the party but this means it'll be down to me to do all the preparation, get the kids ready, get myself ready, tidy the whole house, etc Not that he usually does much to help - maybe just a bit of housework but that still saves me time.

I know this'll result in lots of moaning from my Mum and MIL that he's not having a party :roll: and I would feel a bit guilty that he's not having anything when DD has every year. Thing is though she was the first child born amongst our group of family & friends and the number of kids has increased just about every year since she was born so it is more work these days.

I was just going to say to everyone that they are welcome to come and see him on his birthday but we're not having a party. I'll get a birthday cake for him but i'm not doing food. DH's family live an hour's drive away so this will be inconvenient for them, more so for his brother and his family as BIL works long hours (for DH!!) and their eldest is at school so it would mean them being out late on a school night.

I know its my choice what to do for my sons birthday but i'll be the first to 'break' with the tradition of a little party and I'm still not sure if its the right thing to do?! One minute I think 'feck it, its my decision' the next I'm feeling bad because Ryan won't have a party and rellies will be talking about me behind my back because of it! What would you do?

ETA: OMG that turned into a mammoth post

[Calamity]

Red I'd say 'feck it' Ryan is your son and it's you that has to do all the work, so it's your decision......... end of.

Although, if your mum or MIL wants to have a party for him at THEIR HOUSE then that would solve your troubles

How good are you at subtle hints 8)

J.x

[RedTiger]

Good lord I wouldn't even contemplate having a party at MIL's It'd be 'pieces n jam' all round And we'd have to travel an hour to get there :wik: My Mum probably would do it, or help me put here if I asked but y'know what - I just can't be @rsed even attempting it

Feck it - they can come visit on his birthday and feed themselves before they come