Comments on: Kids Birthday Parties – Are They Out of Control? http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/ Create Your American Dream Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:10:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Erika http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-49763 Erika Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:50:07 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-49763 You, too, Danelle....I look forward to continuing to follow your work! Erika You, too, Danelle….I look forward to continuing to follow your work! Erika

]]> By: Danelle Ice - Home Ever After http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-49711 Danelle Ice - Home Ever After Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:31:21 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-49711 @Erika: I completely agree! Good for you spreadign the word and the mission - keep up the good work! Danelle @Erika: I completely agree! Good for you spreadign the word and the mission – keep up the good work!

Danelle

]]> By: Erika http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-49709 Erika Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:50:13 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-49709 I hear so many parents talking about what you have written here - but nobody knows what to do about it! For my daughter, I had the backyard party every year until this year (she turned 6). And I was a bit surprised how much positive feedback I got on the "old fashioned" parties I threw (ages 1-5) and none from this year. Probably because it was just like everyone else's party, and nothing special. I think the toughest age is 5-6 because they are still in the "invite everyone in the class so no one feels left out" stage, so your child is exposed to a party oh, every other weekend usually? Anyway, I feel so strongly about giving parents something they can do about it, that I started an organization and we launched a birthday party program. The more us parents in our communities can get on board with making some changes, the less "keeping up with the Jones'" we will feel. I say let's go old school with parties- back to basics. It's about getting people together to have fun, and honor the birthday child. Not about the gifts, or the goodie bags, or the hired princess who comes to the party (not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just getting over the top these days). It should be more about the experience and the friendship. I hope we can begin to instill GRATITUDE into parties however we can. I hear so many parents talking about what you have written here – but nobody knows what to do about it! For my daughter, I had the backyard party every year until this year (she turned 6). And I was a bit surprised how much positive feedback I got on the “old fashioned” parties I threw (ages 1-5) and none from this year. Probably because it was just like everyone else’s party, and nothing special. I think the toughest age is 5-6 because they are still in the “invite everyone in the class so no one feels left out” stage, so your child is exposed to a party oh, every other weekend usually? Anyway, I feel so strongly about giving parents something they can do about it, that I started an organization and we launched a birthday party program. The more us parents in our communities can get on board with making some changes, the less “keeping up with the Jones’” we will feel. I say let’s go old school with parties- back to basics. It’s about getting people together to have fun, and honor the birthday child. Not about the gifts, or the goodie bags, or the hired princess who comes to the party (not that there is anything wrong with that, it’s just getting over the top these days). It should be more about the experience and the friendship. I hope we can begin to instill GRATITUDE into parties however we can.

]]> By: Alison Smith http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-26990 Alison Smith Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:44:02 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-26990 Well, you said it so eloquently. As a mom, I felt the exact same way. And clearly so do many other parents. I felt what you were saying so strongly that along with a friend, developed a website that addresses all of the above. Keep the same party, invite the same friends, just make the experience more convenient for the guests and more meaningful for my family. It is called ECHOage and we feel it solves the birthday party problem. I certainly don't mean to promote my own service but I do like to share with other families who seem to be faced with the same issues surrounding kids birthday parties. Thank you for your honest account of how birthday parties can make a parent feel. It is refreshing. Well, you said it so eloquently. As a mom, I felt the exact same way. And clearly so do many other parents. I felt what you were saying so strongly that along with a friend, developed a website that addresses all of the above. Keep the same party, invite the same friends, just make the experience more convenient for the guests and more meaningful for my family. It is called ECHOage and we feel it solves the birthday party problem. I certainly don’t mean to promote my own service but I do like to share with other families who seem to be faced with the same issues surrounding kids birthday parties. Thank you for your honest account of how birthday parties can make a parent feel. It is refreshing.

]]> By: Home Ever After http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-/#comment-1569 Home Ever After Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:12:32 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1569 @Audra: What a great idea to keep a birthday supplies box and add leftovers to it. I love that tip! Danelle @Audra: What a great idea to keep a birthday supplies box and add leftovers to it. I love that tip!
Danelle

]]> By: AUDRA http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-1568 AUDRA Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:24:11 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1568 Well I personally believe you dont have to spend a lot of money to make your kids birthday a blast but I do think it should be a big event for them. I only have one child. I do work outside the home so I am not as frugal with money at this point. My son is 4 years old. I would say his best party yet was the one I did for 4th birthday. I rented the community center down the street from me which was free you put $50 deposit and get it back when you return the key and clean up. I made most of his decoration - Mickey Mouse party so I googled Mickey and Friends coloring pages and colored them. I purchase a few poster boards and wrote on them HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIJAH. I purchased a lot of his supplies at the dollar tree like treat bag things, solid napkins & plates, etc. Instead of puchasing already blown up balloons....I got one of the tanks that comes with about 30 balloons and did them myself using christmas curl ribbon I had in my stock of present supplies. I used different solid color plastic table clothes from years past I had saved. I used crepe paper that was not finished off in past birthdays....so I keep a birthday supply box and end up just adding a little more stuff to make it great. I made it Mickey by using his stuffed animals and toys he had already. A friend of mine made his cake. It was great! This year he wants a pirate birthday party. So I am thinking of games to play like a treasure hunt, using necklaces and coins I get from Mardi Gras and St Patrick Parades each year. I am buying fabric to make red sashes. and the Dollar Tree has cut pirate eye patches and treat bag toys. I try and buy my stuff through the year to save on having to dish it out at one time. It really helps. I plan on making his cake myself just a sheet cake and buying a pirate boat or pirate toys to put on it and I know how to write on a cake with icing. Doing a lot of the stuff by being creative is the thing I do. Well I personally believe you dont have to spend a lot of money to make your kids birthday a blast but I do think it should be a big event for them. I only have one child. I do work outside the home so I am not as frugal with money at this point. My son is 4 years old. I would say his best party yet was the one I did for 4th birthday. I rented the community center down the street from me which was free you put $50 deposit and get it back when you return the key and clean up. I made most of his decoration – Mickey Mouse party so I googled Mickey and Friends coloring pages and colored them. I purchase a few poster boards and wrote on them HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIJAH. I purchased a lot of his supplies at the dollar tree like treat bag things, solid napkins & plates, etc. Instead of puchasing already blown up balloons….I got one of the tanks that comes with about 30 balloons and did them myself using christmas curl ribbon I had in my stock of present supplies. I used different solid color plastic table clothes from years past I had saved. I used crepe paper that was not finished off in past birthdays….so I keep a birthday supply box and end up just adding a little more stuff to make it great. I made it Mickey by using his stuffed animals and toys he had already. A friend of mine made his cake. It was great!

This year he wants a pirate birthday party. So I am thinking of games to play like a treasure hunt, using necklaces and coins I get from Mardi Gras and St Patrick Parades each year. I am buying fabric to make red sashes. and the Dollar Tree has cut pirate eye patches and treat bag toys. I try and buy my stuff through the year to save on having to dish it out at one time. It really helps. I plan on making his cake myself just a sheet cake and buying a pirate boat or pirate toys to put on it and I know how to write on a cake with icing. Doing a lot of the stuff by being creative is the thing I do.

]]> By: Heatherj http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-1567 Heatherj Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:59:59 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1567 We used to do the giant-headache-birthday-party-tantrum-throwing-overwhelming-shin-dig thing too. Then we decided to schedule an overnight family getaway instead. Hubby schedules a bit of his vacation time and we drive a few hours in any direction, stay at a hotel with a pool, and RELAX!! It is refreshing for everyone, and the kids think they are in 7th heaven. It serves us ALL well to get away even for an overnighter at a simple hotel and order pizza. We used to do the giant-headache-birthday-party-tantrum-throwing-overwhelming-shin-dig thing too. Then we decided to schedule an overnight family getaway instead. Hubby schedules a bit of his vacation time and we drive a few hours in any direction, stay at a hotel with a pool, and RELAX!! It is refreshing for everyone, and the kids think they are in 7th heaven. It serves us ALL well to get away even for an overnighter at a simple hotel and order pizza.

]]> By: Leah Courtney http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-1566 Leah Courtney Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:00:54 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1566 I definitely think kids parties are out of control! We don't do kid parties every year, and when we do, we limit the number of people invited and count the party as the child's main birthday gift. If they have something else in mind for a big gift, they can choose not to have a big party. We always have family over, but we just have a cake (that I make) and ice cream, Last year my dd wanted a kid party, and she did all the planning and prep work herself. I gave her a budget and bought supplies. She made decorations, planned games, even planned the cake she wanted me to make. It was inexpensive, and it was the most fun she's had! She got so many compliments on her party planning, and I loved it because it was easy for me. :-) I definitely think kids parties are out of control! We don’t do kid parties every year, and when we do, we limit the number of people invited and count the party as the child’s main birthday gift. If they have something else in mind for a big gift, they can choose not to have a big party. We always have family over, but we just have a cake (that I make) and ice cream,
Last year my dd wanted a kid party, and she did all the planning and prep work herself. I gave her a budget and bought supplies. She made decorations, planned games, even planned the cake she wanted me to make. It was inexpensive, and it was the most fun she’s had! She got so many compliments on her party planning, and I loved it because it was easy for me. :-)

]]> By: Iva @ Horizontal Yo-Yo http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-1565 Iva @ Horizontal Yo-Yo Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:57:06 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1565 We've always had really lo-tech parties. My most memorable party was when I was 12 and my whole class came to my party. We had a pinata and we just hung out and had fun. It wasn't scheduled....and I dont' even think that all my friends brought gifts - and I know we didn't have treat bags. We’ve always had really lo-tech parties. My most memorable party was when I was 12 and my whole class came to my party. We had a pinata and we just hung out and had fun. It wasn’t scheduled….and I dont’ even think that all my friends brought gifts – and I know we didn’t have treat bags.

]]> By: Julie N http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-1559 Julie N Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:42:09 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1559 Great post Danelle! Kids birthday parties these days are so much more elaborate then in my youth...and I'm a bit older than you! I remember having family and just a few friends over, BBQing (bday is in July), a homemade birthday cake, a few presents and relaxing. We used to take our kids to places like Pump It Up for their birthdays, but the cost is just too much now. We just celebrated my son's 11th birthday and we let him invite 3 friends for a sleepover and then we took them to an early morning movie at AMC theatres for $5 each. We brought goodie bags to the movie theatre that had just a few snacks & a juice pack. All the boys had a great time and it cost pennies on the dollar compared to previous years. Great post Danelle! Kids birthday parties these days are so much more elaborate then in my youth…and I’m a bit older than you! I remember having family and just a few friends over, BBQing (bday is in July), a homemade birthday cake, a few presents and relaxing. We used to take our kids to places like Pump It Up for their birthdays, but the cost is just too much now. We just celebrated my son’s 11th birthday and we let him invite 3 friends for a sleepover and then we took them to an early morning movie at AMC theatres for $5 each. We brought goodie bags to the movie theatre that had just a few snacks & a juice pack. All the boys had a great time and it cost pennies on the dollar compared to previous years.

]]> By: Home Ever After http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-/#comment-1561 Home Ever After Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:39:28 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1561 @Bay: A lot of people will do big parties only at certain milestone ages (like 1st year), or every other year, or every 3 years, to help keep it interesting. Big parties aren't necessarily bad, and if you enjoy putting it on, then you should! It's just that when it becomes an obligation and your kids <strong>expect</strong> a $200 party for 40 friends that you wonder how things went so wrong! We dealt with this with my own daughter, and it was much harder to scale it down after she got to expect an "event" and not just a simple get-together with family/friends. Thanks for letting us know about your party experience! Barbi @Bay: A lot of people will do big parties only at certain milestone ages (like 1st year), or every other year, or every 3 years, to help keep it interesting. Big parties aren’t necessarily bad, and if you enjoy putting it on, then you should! It’s just that when it becomes an obligation and your kids expect a $200 party for 40 friends that you wonder how things went so wrong!

We dealt with this with my own daughter, and it was much harder to scale it down after she got to expect an “event” and not just a simple get-together with family/friends. Thanks for letting us know about your party experience!
Barbi

]]> By: Home Ever After http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-/#comment-1564 Home Ever After Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:35:21 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1564 @MainelyMom: What a wonderful story! I can relate with the elaborate parties, and it's especially difficult when your kids' friends have these expensive huge "event" parties to try to explain to your kids why a fun party doesn't have to be exactly like that. It sounds like you've kept it simple and fun, while focusing on the important part (the fun) and not the other stuff that doesn't matter anyway. An outdoor party where the kids get exercise, play together, and enjoy the day sounds wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing! Barbi (Danelle) @MainelyMom: What a wonderful story! I can relate with the elaborate parties, and it’s especially difficult when your kids’ friends have these expensive huge “event” parties to try to explain to your kids why a fun party doesn’t have to be exactly like that. It sounds like you’ve kept it simple and fun, while focusing on the important part (the fun) and not the other stuff that doesn’t matter anyway. An outdoor party where the kids get exercise, play together, and enjoy the day sounds wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing!
Barbi (Danelle)

]]> By: CASSIE http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-1563 CASSIE Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:22:34 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1563 Thanks so much for posting this. I have thought kids' birthday parties are crazy for quite a while now. I have decided to not have them for my kids and to excuse ourselves from other kids' parties because of what you have mentioned. I'm so glad that someone is finally addressing this issue. Maybe if we can get back to simplicity- everyone can have fun again! Thanks so much for posting this. I have thought kids’ birthday parties are crazy for quite a while now. I have decided to not have them for my kids and to excuse ourselves from other kids’ parties because of what you have mentioned. I’m so glad that someone is finally addressing this issue. Maybe if we can get back to simplicity- everyone can have fun again!

]]> By: Bay http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-1562 Bay Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:01:10 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1562 I have to admit that I didn't keep my little one's birthday party simple. Since it was her first, I caved into the huge party syndrome and had one party at a play place for little friends and another party at my parents' for both families. It was a royal headache, and I know I won't do it again for the 2nd! But even at 1 year, we have had more friends' birthday parties than I can count and those gifts really add up! I have to admit that I didn’t keep my little one’s birthday party simple. Since it was her first, I caved into the huge party syndrome and had one party at a play place for little friends and another party at my parents’ for both families. It was a royal headache, and I know I won’t do it again for the 2nd!

But even at 1 year, we have had more friends’ birthday parties than I can count and those gifts really add up!

]]> By: MainelyMom http://www.homeeverafter.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/comment-page-1/#comment-1560 MainelyMom Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:33:27 +0000 http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/kids-birthday-parties-out-of-control/#comment-1560 What a timely post! Last weekend my son had 2 birthday parties to attend, and his own party is this weekend. One party was elaborate - the local skating rink was rented for 2 hours, game tokens were given, and goodie bags handed out. The other party was at the child's house and included some outside free play, and some inside directed games. Also elaborate goodie bags were sent home. My son had a blast at both parties. I like to try to attend the parties he's invited to, but I do set a limit of $7 per gift, with more being spent on children with whom we have special relationships. Sale shopping and coupons help me get better gifts for even less money! He is turning 8 in a few days and I couldn't be prouder of him. He wants a bike riding party at a local "bike park" with all his friends. He asked for a pinata. That's it. The loot from the pinata will be what the kids take home. I personally hate goodie bags. They just clutter up the house, and the junky items don''t get played with. I'm designing (with chalk and 2 liter soda bottles filled with water to weight them down) a bike rodeo for the kids to enjoy. I'm offering cupcakes and juice. No themed napkins or plates - just what I have in the house. I'll probably buy some balloons and tie them to a tree branch. This party is all he has been talking about! He is so excited, and so am I! No way do parties have to be elaborate and expensive for the kids to have a good time and for them to be memorable! We did this exact same party last year, too! The fact that he wants to do it again points to it's huge success! What a timely post! Last weekend my son had 2 birthday parties to attend, and his own party is this weekend. One party was elaborate – the local skating rink was rented for 2 hours, game tokens were given, and goodie bags handed out. The other party was at the child’s house and included some outside free play, and some inside directed games. Also elaborate goodie bags were sent home. My son had a blast at both parties.

I like to try to attend the parties he’s invited to, but I do set a limit of $7 per gift, with more being spent on children with whom we have special relationships. Sale shopping and coupons help me get better gifts for even less money!

He is turning 8 in a few days and I couldn’t be prouder of him. He wants a bike riding party at a local “bike park” with all his friends. He asked for a pinata. That’s it. The loot from the pinata will be what the kids take home. I personally hate goodie bags. They just clutter up the house, and the junky items don”t get played with. I’m designing (with chalk and 2 liter soda bottles filled with water to weight them down) a bike rodeo for the kids to enjoy. I’m offering cupcakes and juice. No themed napkins or plates – just what I have in the house. I’ll probably buy some balloons and tie them to a tree branch.

This party is all he has been talking about! He is so excited, and so am I! No way do parties have to be elaborate and expensive for the kids to have a good time and for them to be memorable! We did this exact same party last year, too! The fact that he wants to do it again points to it’s huge success!

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