i worry about all of us. I think kids’ birthday parties are getting out of hand, and you probably agree.
simpler time
In 1982 I had a birthday party at my house and some friends came over for lunch. We wore paper hats when I blew out the candles. After opening some presents, everyone went home.
Those were simpler times.
hands off
Three weeks ago I went to my 5th birthday party. There was a giant inflatable and party packed indoor playground with her room. It featured two theater majors dressed as Anna and Elsa from the movie Frozen. They performed a few songs a cappella. The table was stacked with monogrammed snack bags, color-coordinated plates and utensils, and a dessert table that rivaled the Food Network competition.
I’ve been to countless parties and my 4th birthday cake looked better than my own wedding cake. I enjoy many birthday celebrations featuring
do you really need this?
what if?
Does a pony ride in your front yard really make a child’s birthday special? (My son nearly had a panic attack when Darth Vader asked about the Dark Side at a friend’s birthday party).
Should I spend weeks researching themes on Pinterest? Would it make a difference if every child didn’t buy a personalized cloak and wand on Etsy?
I’m guilty too
I am guilty like everyone else. Over the past few years, I’ve agonized over the right kind of goodie bag, only to be reminded that it’s a thank you note for attending a birthday celebration, not a gift for an Academy Award nominee. I realized that my daughter’s and son’s friends wouldn’t necessarily mind if I didn’t offer them a platter of imported cheeses and gluten-free crackers and a live concert by American Idol contestants.
What my kids get most excited about is breaking piñatas full of dollar store toys. They like to take rolls of empty wrapping paper and pretend to be swords. Most of their friends has already consumed enough pizza and cake that he never forgets a bag of goodies.
Do you have to spend hundreds of dollars to be able to invite every friend your toddler has ever made to Chuck E. Cheese or an amusement park? Do you appreciate the time it took to make sure there were plenty of chicken nuggets, organic fruit bowls? They remember how they made sure trains carried their friends around the block for hours mosquito?
They should be able to come to lunch, blow out the candles, open some presents, and go home.
shouldn’t they?
daughter’s birthday party
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