Bday parties for lazy parents

[Deleted]

I was going to skip the 2 year bday party (because really, DS won't remember) but DH got a lot of pushback from the ILs. DH was going to take over but I just can't let him because his idea was to have 2 small dinner parties not even to have a cake (wth?)

Party will be 13 adults and DS approx 4 pm. We are thinking DIY Italian beef sandwiches and catering sides (salads, cake). Since it's adults do I need to plan activities? Decorations I was thinking we could have "festive" paper plates and some balloons.

Is there anything else I can do to make it easier? Should I invite a couple friends that have kids for entertainment for DS? 

Help me be lazy, MMM!

[Deleted]

We were lazy for age 3. We ordered Thai food. Chips and veggie platter. Then cake.
The 3 kids played with toys and the parents talked. And we had a slide show in the back on Apple TV.
It was easy and lazy.

[rbp]

We had a lazy bday party for M. Bought decorations at Party City. Catered BBQ from local restaurant. ILs made the sides. Done.

ETA: Oh, and good beer. Because that's non-negotiable. 

[robyn]

I think that sounds perfect. We had a blown out party this year, and DH and I have both said never again. Next year, pizza, cake and wine at our house with the grandparents and aunts/uncles. Maybe some balloons.

[londoncalling]

Seriously, do easy sides and cake. Everyone is there for your DS and the cake.

You don't need activities. Since there are adults I would have beer on hand. Just eat and be social and let him open his presents.

ETA: festive paper plates is as far as I go.  Maybe let your DS pick his favorite character and get those for just cake.

[kdubs923]

Last year we did the full blown party with 50+ guests. This year, we will be lazy. I will be very very pregnant and DS is happy as long as there are balloons and cake.

I plan on only close relatives and our BFFs. Sandwiches, bakery pizza and some sides from a local place. Cake and ice cream. I have some adorable Sesame Street decorations from JRo and I'll get some balloons. DONE.

[CloudBee]

I would do pizza.

We were also going to opt out of a 2 yr party. Then decided to do pizza and cake with the ILs. Then some elderly relatives were invited. It turned into a gathering of like 20 people. With a ham.

LOL

[gibbinator]

Lazy for us was dollar store decorations, grocery sheet cake, premade food trays and take out pizza or hot dogs and hamburgers on the BBQ. No activities, just general 2yr old disorder.

[jeaniebueller]

You don't need to have any entertainment IMO. I was at a birthday party last weekend that was super laid back, the adults just drank beer and talked.

[Deleted]

Good call on pizza. I'll look into that.

[Deleted]

Dollar store decorations (balloons, streamers if you want to get fancy, paper plates)
Order in food. Pizza is great.
Grocery store cake (learn from my mistake: the Costco one is too big. We had 20 people and I was left with half a giant cake.)
Put on some music. Have beer for the adults. No activities, other than opening presents if you want.

We half-assed DD's birthday this year. By 3, they care. At 2, cake and anything is fine.

[kittycatlove]

That sounds good to me. It's essentially what we did for DS for 2 and 3. A couple of balloons and festive plates/napkins and call it a day.

[robyn]

Aug 27, 2015 9:57:57 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Grocery store cake (learn from my mistake: the Costco one is too big. We had 20 people and I was left with half a giant cake.)

This is not a mistake! Costco cake is amazing. And um, if you freeze it in individual size portions you can have anytime you want

[Deleted]

Aug 27, 2015 10:22:13 GMT -5 robyn said:

Aug 27, 2015 9:57:57 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Grocery store cake (learn from my mistake: the Costco one is too big. We had 20 people and I was left with half a giant cake.)

This is not a mistake! Costco cake is amazing. And um, if you freeze it in individual size portions you can have anytime you want

I prefer cake mix cake. 

It was so much cake. But it was only $20, so whatever. It solved my "need a cake" problem. 

[Deleted]

Aug 27, 2015 10:23:25 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Aug 27, 2015 10:22:13 GMT -5 robyn said:

This is not a mistake! Costco cake is amazing. And um, if you freeze it in individual size portions you can have anytime you want

I prefer cake mix cake. 

It was so much cake. But it was only $20, so whatever. It solved my "need a cake" problem. 

I think a grocery store cake would cost just as much and it is definitely not as awesome.

I'm okay with leftover cake.

[robyn]

Aug 27, 2015 10:23:25 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Aug 27, 2015 10:22:13 GMT -5 robyn said:

This is not a mistake! Costco cake is amazing. And um, if you freeze it in individual size portions you can have anytime you want

I prefer cake mix cake. 

It was so much cake. But it was only $20, so whatever. It solved my "need a cake" problem. 

It is so much cake. It was cheaper though for a half sheet there than a 1/4 sheet at the grocery store, plus it seems like people will always take home leftover Costco cake. It's so good, but who needs that much cake very often, so it's kind of like a really cheap treat.
 
cake mix cake is delicious!

[ECB]

Don't do activities, don't invite other people JUST to have kids there. it's his 2nd - it really doesn't matter. Keep it simple, keep it lazy.

[dulcemariamar]

That does not sound lazy. Just get some pizza or sandwiches with some easy sides and I think you are good to go. For 2 you can get away without inviting kids.