You have got to be kidding me! I had a reality check this past week.
I have been planning Alex's 6th birthday party. For the past couple of years, I have just followed the lead of other Moms for party ideas...Chuck-E-Cheese, Bounce U, Space Walks...etc.
Now that Don has no job, I thought a little more about the $300 we spend on each of these parties. Then it dawned on me, "WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING SPENDING THAT KIND OF MONEY ON A CHILD'S PARTY?" I don't spend that much on my parties!?!!? (OK, I did once this year, but no need to point fingers.)
So, I am canceling the reservations for the expensive party and having a simple party at home. You know, the ones with cake, ice cream, junk food, balloons and streamers.
I just have a hard time believing how out of hand these parties have gotten. Crazy!
Yea, I said it...what about it?!?!
YEAH!!!!!!!!!! I am sooo with you. I've actually never done a big extravagant birthday party for Thomas. (what a bad mom am I??? especially in the "working mom/daycare" circles!) Growing up, we had parties at 8, 12 & 16 (the "big ones" if you grow up LDS....) and that is what I plan to do with my kids. Several times for Thomas' "party" we have gone to Chuck-E-Cheese (one big happy family - me, Virgil & Thomas' dad), order pizza, play video games and open presents. Costs all of $35. And you know what, Thomas doesn't seem to know any different.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you too! I threw a few big ones for Jacob when he was younger and for one, he didn't realize exactly what he was getting (i.e. pony rides, jumpers, etc) and for two, he absolutely didn't fully appreciate all that was done and all the money that was spent. We're scaling way back this year too. We've decided to take him and 3 or 4 friends to the Safari Park and drive through to see the animals and go to the petting zoo. He'll get a cookie cake and some presents and be happy as a lark cause it's something he loves, not what I "think" he would love.
ReplyDeleteWay to go! That's all we had growing up. I think those elaborate parties are overrated.
ReplyDeleteI have to confess we had David's birthday party at the Health Museum last year, but that's because Aaron was working there and they let us do it for FREE!
Oh what an epiphany! We have done both routes and the children seem to prefer the home parties (although I think Chuck E Cheese is the easiest!) Our first year here we did a family only party for Evelyn's birthday (I had just had Frances) and it was nice. She has picked the park for her parties since then and the parents all say how much fun it is. A little more effort but lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteOh what an epiphany! We have done both routes and the children seem to prefer the home parties (although I think Chuck E Cheese is the easiest!) Our first year here we did a family only party for Evelyn's birthday (I had just had Frances) and it was nice. Evelyn has picked the park for her parties and I get lots of comments on how much fun it is. A little more effort but lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteseriously, keeping up with the joneses is so difficult - when ever you can say, as you did "WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING?!" it's always good. I LOVE throwing parties, but I love the small, intimate, thoughtful kind rather than the do-what-everybody-else-is-doing ones. you can get some great themed party ideas online - check with Leslie - she's an incredible resource. Infact, I write her quite frequently and ask her to do some research for me (the "Ask Leslie" entries that she publishes on her "room somewhere" blog) and they are always perfect - classy, inexpensive and memorable.
ReplyDeletehooray. we had parker's bday at home last year and the other moms were like, Oh! what a great idea!
ReplyDeletegood for you. :)
oh thanks natalie. no pressure! :)
Home parties are what I always remember--there's something special about your mom letting you run streamers and balloons all over your HOME. And, making the place you spend every day transform just for the one little guy makes them feel pretty great too!
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