When I was young I always found traditional birthday parties a bit of a trial. I would much sooner have had the option of laser quest, building dens, making bows and arrows and and lighting fires in the woods (professionally supervised!) or having a swimming party, which is what GS has done in recent years. One of his friends even had a party in a nearby Peak District cave, where they each got the chance to polish a piece of Blue John to take home. It was, apparently, "awesome". It all makes musical chairs and pass the parcel look like a huge yawn. But all these things can cost eye watering amounts of money. Even taking half a dozen to the cinema and a burger afterwards is not cheap. I know that a lot of parents these days tend to get together, if birthdays are fairly close, and split the cost of a venue, which seems to be a sensible option.