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Venue parties almost always require you to wear some kind of communal shoe (ice skates, bowling shoes, climbing shoes). And the places usually smell like feet (or worse - ever been to a horseback riding party?) as a result.

I prefer backyard parties. They're more intimate and the kids can be barefoot if they want.

i have always had my sons at home. he is more comfortable in his environment and i feel like (no matter how many people i cram in my house) people enjoy it more because they feel like more thought is put into it.

simpler at home?? no way! ask me again in a month, though. we had our boys' first birthday party at home, and it was a nightmare. i didn't get a single picture with them, and i was rushed around and harried the entire time. not to mention that our house is small and december weather is too iffy in louisiana.

this year, it's at the local children's museum and i couldn't be more happy about that!

Now, the children's museum is a nice idea! Too bad we don't have one in my area.

It really depends upon your home, doesn't it? I have a 2 bedroom condo with a small living room and no backyard so parties here are doable but they get pretty cramped.

I think it totally depends on age, although I usually would opt for home. I think for younger children being at home is the nicest and for older kids sometimes it's nice to have something to do out.

I think it depends a lot on the child, the age, and the venue. I remember my sister and I having a lot of home birthday parties. The house wasn't too big, but we got creative about themes, decorating, and space usage and usually had a blast. In contrast, a lot of the parties I went to at other locations had the feeling of being the cheapest and easiest option possible that would still qualify as a party.

Although the children's museum party does sound like it could be really cool- again, it also depends a lot on the venue.

I asked my 7 year old if he wanted a party at home or away and he said at home. His reasoning? Because the party could last longer!

I like at home because I get to be creative, although, I do have to clean up before and after. My reward is when my child tells me it was the best party ever.

I've posted my most recent parties on my blog:
http://www.everydayisanoccasion.blogspot.com

While I selected "Home", I don't know that I agree with the description of "Home! It's always simpler and more meaningful that way." My home parties are by no means "simpler" than the venue parties that I've hosted... they're quite the opposite. At the home parties, I feel like my decorations and the activities that I plan are what make the party, so I spend MANY more hours doing planning, prep work, and setting up for the party than I do during a venue party where you usually only have about an hour to do all of the setup. I have a feeling, I'm not the only one.

We like having parties at home the logistics of schlepping all the party goodies to another venue just leaves me exhausted before I even begin! Besides the fact that it just costs so much more to go to another venue.

Home option is not simpler for me, sorry.

The venues I pick don't make you order their food.

And I have the party at a place that is specifically built for the education of children like Children's Discovery Museum.

My DD is turning 4 in a month, we're doing a party at the local children's art studio, it's our first party NOT at home. We did have parties at home for her 1-2-3 BDays with only a few of OUR friends with their kids. This year she wants to invite her pre-k class. The total cost is about $500 for 20 kids. We're in NJ.

It's easier to do parties elsewhere UNLESS your child has special friends, and/or you have a big yard and the weather is ok. We usually get snow storm for her BD. And it's just not common here to invite classmates to home parties, at least not in the pre-k...

we have the parties at home because it's cheap. the kids have fun. we usually just have cake and ice cream with fruit and some kind of salty/savory snack - not a meal. it's easy. i can see how hosting a party at home could become stressful, but i choose to keep it simple so we can enjoy each other. that's the point. not trying to impress anyone.

i can see how older children might want something more elaborate, but then they can help plan, cook and decorate. before someone has a meltdown over the idea of a child having to work for his own birthday party, look at it from the kid's perspective. they love to be trusted with responsibilities and empowered to make decisions. don't worry. i won't make them help clean up!

I'm all about having parties at parks, but then we live in Southern California where weather is not usually a problem and we have an overabundance of awesome parks. I would feel really overwhelmed to have that many people at my home (but I also live in a two bedroom condo, so it fills up pretty fast). Most parks around here also let you "rent" their covered table areas for a nominal fee and then you are guaranteed a spot on the day of your party.

Whatever happened to only inviting a few kids so that you could have a manageable party at home? I never, ever had my whole class at a party, and all my birthdays were celebrated at home. Does that have to do with the time (80s & 90s) or with the fact that I grew up in Europe?
That said, we celebrated my son's first birthday this summer, and since I still have nighmares from hosting family Christmas last year, and because it was his first birthday and thus a much larger party than I'm comfortable with, we had it at a park.

I don't have kids - but my friend has 3 who typically have birthdays at home - we help her supervise and sort of MC while she cooks, serves and cleans up - she's never had more than 12 in her two story 4/2 and a half home - they are usually sleepovers - so no outside play or parents to entertain - we rent movies, throw on the karaoke, have games, arts & crafts, plenty of healthy snacks (strawberries and chocolate pudding, veggies & ranch, juice boxes versus punch or sodas) - her 4 yr old will have one this Saturday - same plan - and never a problem - home is the best idea ever in my opinion - but keep in mind - I'm a former preschool teacher/camp counselor - I can have up to 30 alone and be in my element - and I have cake & ice cream on my side so there!