Party people (or those who aren't)

I became overwhelmed with parties after my oldest turned 2. I get tired of trying to be original and not do the same thing over and over again and I get tired of people not showing up (because I don't invite many to begin with) or showing up late after other guests have left. We usually plan a family event around the kids' birthdays. This year, for my oldest, I messaged a handful of people who I knew had kids and gave them a date/time/place to meet up to let the kids play (we paid for each child's entrance...except one who snuck in when we had our backs turned to the door) and it worked really well. All of the kids came (one adult didn't and sent her husband who I don't really know...but she was days away from having a baby, so I wasn't even expecting any of them to come) and had a good time playing, with each other or with other kids or on their own. Everyone was happy and had something fun to do without the structure of going to a room to eat or sing happy birthday or anything. It also made the time flexible. We get a 3 hour window when we go (they don't really keep track, though) and we stayed the whole time...some arrived on time and left early, some arrived late and stayed until the end and our kids got to play with all of them. My biggest post party issue is with gifts. Even with just a few guests, there ends up being too much stuff to add to what they already have (they don't take care of their things and I am tired of constantly picking up or tripping over the same things no matter how many times I put it away or have them put it away)...and even though I told people gifts weren't necessary (reinforced it with the people I see the least to make sure they didn't feel invited because we wanted them to bring gifts, but knew had kids around my son's age), everyone brought something. Cost me $65...I spent more on balloons, cake, a pinata and candy to go inside on his actual birthday 2 days later.