My husband and I both grew up in Phoenix. So both of our extended families were there. A big chunk of our long time friends were there. Parties were big by default. Even if we kept it to "just family" there would be nearly 60 people, and 35 of those would be under 13 years old!

Now that we are out on our own, across the country, the last two kids birthdays have been more low key. 5 or 6 friends at the 4 year olds, and just family for the 2 year old.

I love throwing parties, I love everything about it. I think we'll do parties every year! :)

My kids get a friend party every four years, so we tend to make those ones pretty big.  With six kids, it still feels like I throw parties all the time.  In fact I need to start planning for my youngest's first party.  He turns four in September.

Birthdays are big deals in my family. But that doesn't necessarily mean big numbers of people. We could have friends over for a party every few years, but mainly it was just parents and siblings and a big deal at home.

You know, I don't.  4 kids, no relatives around...I just feel bad having big parties their friends feel obligated to attend.

So, once in their early teen years I throw a HUGE surprise birthday party, a secret from even their siblings and father unti the very last minute!  And it's usually a secret to the kids attending as well! 

Other than that, we sometimes (for my under 10 year olds) just impromptu have friends over for cup cakes.  The above 10, we either have a sleepover with a few friends or take two friends out to do something fun, bowling, movie, mini golf...

Our kids get to pick their own birthday dinner and cake....and we even let them shop for most of their own gifts!

Works for us!

I've heard recently of a trend when having parties to tell the guests not to bring gifts. It's apparently very common in some areas. Some times they even ask for donations to the birthday child's favorite charity or books to donate to a library instead.

I really like the idea. No kid needs that many toys. And no kid needs to feel bad because they can't afford that many presents for all their friends.

We used to have parties, until I decided to let them choose between a party at home, or take 2 friends anywhere they want (like the movies, bowling, or whatever).  I'm always glad when they choose to go somewhere!!!

Each kid gets a friend party every other year.  They can invite the same number of kids as how old they are turning, i.e.--

if they're 5, five friends.

turning 16, sixteen friends.

etc.

It works.  

We make birthdays a big deal in the family, but no friends.  I think after so many kids, it just became too expensive and I realized that they could have a great birthday with much less money spent.  We make it very special.  We go somewhere as a family, we have a special breakfast, lunch and dinner.  If your birthday is on a school day, than we celebrate for the whole weekend either before or after.  I try very hard to make it something they love. 

Gosh, after reading other's comments, I'm gonna have to say my parties are...medium lol.  We do a friend party for my daughter and she has 5-6 kids over.  It's total cheapskate, but we make it fun.  Last year I dressed up as a clown and learned how to do balloon shapes.  So you know, fun but didn't really cost me anything.  Does that make it small?

As for family, my kids' birthdays are both in December, so we do one party for both of them.  I'm awful, I know!

I don't throw parties every year for my kids...but when I do, I have found that most of the invited kids do not attend unless a party is held at a Chucky Cheese or some other fun kid place.  I think it's a shame because I love the spoil the party goers.