Comments on: The Great Birthday Debate

By: Light Speed | Midnight Cliff

Light Speed | Midnight Cliff — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:10:05 +0000

[...] of which I can provide. I am thinking money, but have no idea what is appropriate these days. After Britt had the big “how much to spend on a kid’s birthday” debate where I was all about [...]

By: Gina

Gina — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:25:28 +0000

Oh my. I grew up in a po' family and a big deal kid birthday party for me was a McDonald's birthday party. You know, complete with balloons, orange drink, and burgers and maybe if you're lucky a Ronald McDonald guest appearance? Yeah. My boyfriend could afford the expensive birthday parties you refer to for his 6 and 9 year olds, but he chooses to surround them with adults that love them, makes a tremendous birthday dinner for them, and let's them go crazy at home. For his son's recent birthday party, we had a firepit outside and made s'mores. Kids are happy with a cheap birthday that includes s'mores. :clap: Gina's last blog post..Spring is here.

By: oktree

oktree — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:58:09 +0000

Let’s not even go to the point where if you start to have these outrageous, invite the whole class parties, you have to start attending them and that is when the dollars start to rack up. And let’s not discuss the fact that a four or five year old does not need 20+ presents, toys he / she will play with maybe three times and will take up precious space in a closet somewhere, collecting dust. It’s outrageous and crazy and it needs to stop.

By: Aimee Greeblemonkey

Aimee Greeblemonkey — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:46:30 +0000

Friends and I were JUST discussing this. Yes, I have spent over $200, but I have also done simple backyard parties too. It's important to me that Declan see that not everything is larger than life. Except the Backstreet Boys, of course. Aimee Greeblemonkey's last blog post..Twitter Pet Peeves

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:21:17 +0000

When I was little (I’m 20 now) my parents used to invite a huge crowd of their friends round for a party, as well as about 6 of my friends. We’d play while they had some drinks, we’d go to a restaurant where everyone would share the bill.

After I got into my teens my friends and I used to go to the cinema or a restaurant, and everyone would pay for themselves.

I always had a great time! I admit that my parents were really generous with presents, but the parties themselves were essentially free.

By: Sheila (Charm School Reject)

Sheila (Charm School Reject) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:22:40 +0000

Strangely enough we just had a "Great Birthday Debate" at work. One of my co-worker's wife is going completely overboard with their son's first birthday. This party is going to cost at least $2,000!!!!!! Dino Jump, clowns, catered food, carnival games, the works....:crazy: and here I thought I was bad spending what did.... Sheila (Charm School Reject)'s last blog post..Why Would Someone Do This?

By: Sybil Law

Sybil Law — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:24:47 +0000

I so, sooo hear you on this one!!! I have seen parents spend hundreds – like $600 – on a birthday party for a 4 year old. It’s so stupid. I don’t care if that makes someone mad – that is stupid! They rented the bouncy machine – and the 4 year old was too scared to even go in it! He also doesn’t remember it (he’s 9 now).
For years I’ve gotten my panties in a twist over this, and I’ve rebelled by having very simple parties. We order pizzas and my mom (who granted makes incredible cakes) makes the cakes and we get those little ice cream cups and I actually do get treat bags. (Speaking of, I rebelled against them, but my friend whose kids are total brats I knew would ruin things if they didn’t get one. Guess what? They still opened half my kids’ gifts and got in the way and ruined things!)
You are one smart lady with things in perspective. I refuse to spend more than $100 until my kid can really figure out something special when she’s older.
Also, most 3 year olds do not have friends, but the parents DO, and their friends have kids, etc.

Sybil Law’s last blog post..Holy HELL This Is Long!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:21:17 +0000

I can't seem to throw anysort of party without shelling out a couple of hundred bucks. By the time you make a few dishes( even if it is potluck) buy some decorations, some wine, something it turns out I need for that dinner/party. I end up spending a fortune. I think a kids party would be the same. It really adds up big time. At least with doing it at a place other than home you can figure out the cost up front. I am all for laziness too... Michelle's last blog post..On my way to becoming a crazy cat lady.....

By: Not Afraid To Use It

Not Afraid To Use It — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:42:10 +0000

Oh no! I didn't mean that! I just meant that this becoming such a prevalent attitude now. You are seeing it in more and more cities in more and more income brackets. And I was very happy to see someone else blogging about the same topic. It means I am not totally out of touch with real life if even one other person thinks this is important enough to bitch about. Solidarity, sista! Not Afraid To Use It's last blog post..Honey, I Shot the Dog

By: Miss Britt

Miss Britt — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:50:02 +0000

Meg: yeah, I know for a lot of people the OPTION of blowing excessive amounts of money on a birthday is very unrealistic.

Not Afraid To Use It: well I never claimed to be original!

FyreGoddess: the first time I read this comment, I thought you were saying a mom loaded up the minivan, drove to a strange location, and then dropped the kids off with a map and said “Treasure Hunt! Find your way home!” before driving off.

I was excited at that idea. Which I’m sure is sick.

Pamela: yeah, it would never occur to me that it was possible to get out of doing the Clean The House routine.

But you know? I kind of wish it WOULD occur to me once in a while.

jtj3: heh – thank you.

maggie, dammit: please speak for me if that ever happens:

I should be salted heavily.