Jan. 16, 2009
Kids' birthday parties
Posted in Random Thoughts
Please explain the whole super-extravagant kids' birthday party to me. Seriously.
I heard from a friend in one of the local school districts (not mine, but maybe true there also?) that if you invite one friend from the class you have to invite them all so as to not leave anyone feeling slighted. Really. Can you imagine? You would even have to invite the mean kids, I guess.
So I suppose because of the sheer size of the party, because everyone does everything the government says about what is best for raising YOUR kids, they have to be something gigantic. Heaven forbid that you don't one-up the other kids' moms. You don't want your darling being the butt of jokes, I guess. Like a cool party would stop that.
What happens if you don't invite all the kids in the class? Will they arrest you? Suspend your child? It's preposterous.
My son, J, turned 7 today. And his mother, *gasp*, is having his party at home. There will be a cake, some soda (a big treat) and he invited 4 friends to come over and play Xbox with him. Now, don't get me wrong, he definitely isn't complaining! He will have a good time with his friends, I will chat with the parents, and fun will be had by all.
I suppose I am showing my age now:
When I was young...... my parents invited a couple neighborhood kids over for a pinata and musical chairs on the patio. There was cake and ice cream and that's it. No goody bags. No hired entertainment. And those are great memories!!!
I'm just complaining because as I was searching out a game to play within the theme for his party (another thing we never had as a kid, but important to my son, so whatever), I kept finding things on the Internet where people rented halls, and people dressed up to entertain the kids. ARE YOU KIDDING? My kids are just lucky they made it to their birthdays alive.
Comments
Jan. 16, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
We have "simple" home themed parties. I don't think I have ever thrown one that cost more than $50, and that was mostly food. We make our own pinata's and and the kids get to pick out their own party plates/cups. It is funny though, because we have had many parents and kids comment on how great our parties are even though they are used to those glamour ones they do these days. Go Figure!
BLessings,
Dawn
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Jan. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 40winkzzz
I'm not into the big-expensive-party-at-Chuckie-Cheese type thing either. Our kids have gotten to have a 'big party" aka "friends party" every 3 years (age 4, 7, 10...). For us that means inviting 5 to 10 friends over for lunch, cake, presents, & games/activities. (Yes, and often a "theme", because *I* think that's fun.) My kids have always been really happy with that.
In the 'non-party years" they often have a friend over and we'll go somewhere special like the aquatic center, go-karts, etc, but we still have dinner & dessert at home. Note that the "party" and the "go somewhere" do not happen the same year! :-) For us, a birthday party is something that happens at home. Or maybe at Grandma's.
*Sigh* We live in such an extravagant society. Although that may of necessity be changing. Maybe in a few years some of those other moms will be coming to you for advice on how to put on a "home" birthday party!
Oh, and *sigh* the era of "kid parties" has ended at our house with my baby's 10th bday last fall. My kids still get parties for their 13th & 16th, but I know from experience that it just isn't the same...
Edited by 40winkzzz on Jan. 17, 2009 at 2:17 AM
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Jan. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jenn4him
It's true. My friend who has 2 girls in public school in Michigan ran into the invite them all rule. And she did. And it was at a gymnastic center. I guess she just invited the girls. It is still OK to slight the opposit sex. I totally agree about birthdays. One time I was sucked into the ceramic store party, but never again. Now we have grandparents over for cake or friends to hang out, but nothing super fancy.
Jenn
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Jan. 18, 2009 - B-day Parties
Posted by LRF
Well - I have to admit that I have never invited friends from class because of that reason. We have our usual kids/parents from daycare that we hang out with. I have to admit that my son who is 9 is lucky his b-day is in August & Nana had a pool. Makes things EASY. My daughter who is 7 (almost 8) is a little bit tougher since her b-day is in March. (Makes it difficult for stuff outside) Ya know - when she turned 6 I allowed a couple of little girls spend the night & she was very content. I have learned that the kids are much easier to please than we think.
I am with you and think that having a few kids over to play games is great! My son has been over to someone's house for a 'Movie' as a b-day party. We are actually thinking of having a Tea Party for my daughter and a few of her friends at a new little restaurant (The English Rose Tea Room). I know the owner & the place is totally girly. I figure after a couple of hours & no clean up at my house is great!
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Jan. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by homeschoolingKatt
Don't fret we do not do the big extravagent parties either. When the kids were younger we would usually do a cookout for family and a few friends. I did child care at the time so the yard was full of toys. The kids and adults had a great time.
Now that they are getting older we let them pick their favorite eating place and invite the grandparents to join us. We don't eat out that often so it is a big treat.
I learned a long time ago financially we can not keep up "with the Jones"...lol
Vicki
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Jan. 18, 2009 - Birthday Parties
Posted by Lachney1
Yeah, our birthday parties were the best. We played all kinds of games, had cake and ice cream, maybe a weiner roast or out to pizza when we got older. As a small child it was a few friends from school, but there were no jumpers or birthday parties at a fast food place. I guess I'm old too. LOL!!!!
I would never think of inviting the "mean" kids to my child's birthday party. What would I be thinking? I'm not crazy! LOL!!!
I'm sure that your son had the best party. He'll remember it as one of his favorites.
Blessings,
Penny
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Jan. 19, 2009 - just visiting blogs today...
Posted by CarpeBanana
hope the party goes well. We have done lots of fun themes... always the child's choice... favorite themes here were mud and flamingos... themes are great! :D
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