Check out "Birthdays without Pressure "website!!

[PHXscuba]

I think it can be swung too far either way. I have read on idea sites some extravangant parties for children turning 2 who won't even know what's going on -- or th opposite can happen. I feel uncomfortable sending my child to a party with a thoughtful $15 gift and having them come home with favors that are more than the gift I bought. Seems like one-upmanship.

For my own 4 kids, we have done different things with different ages and kids. No out-of-home parties at young ages simply because I would be a wreck supervising lots of kids at CEC or even the park. I have 2 kids with June birthdays in AZ and the superhot weather influences our plans too.

My younger DD will turn 8 this April. After birthdays #6 and #7 were disasters (2 friends at #6, ONE at #7, no one else bothered to RSVP), I am taking her and two or three friends to my nail salon to have a $6 polish job and either dessert out or cake at home. For me that seems like a lot for an 8-year-old, but it's because of the past two parties.

Some ages seem to be worse than others -- I get more big-time party invites for my 7-year-old. DD10 and DS13 seem to have moved into the let's-hang-out-at-home-and-eat-pizza zone.

PHXscuba

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I like to spoil DD on her birthday, but I don't get llamas and limos and the other stuff that was on that website, but who am I to judge the people that do? That's not really any of my business. (now if I was invited to one of those parties and was judged for the gift that I gave...then that's another story).
For DD's 5th birthday me and fiance took her to AG Place in NYC and we had lunch and she got to pick out a doll and an accessory.
She really enjoyed the experience, she got to do things that she doesn't do ordinarily, go on a ferry, go on a bus, EAT OUT, (we RARELY eat our b/c of her allergy, but they ensured us that her food items were safe), walk around a city. I have pictures from the day and the look of excitement on her face while on the ferry and having lunch with her parents and her doll was priceless. I know she'll always remember that day, as will me and fiance.

 

[AntePrincess]

I like sites like those purely because I like to read about others' thrifty (and often creative) party ideas.

Our girls are still too young for birthday parties in my opinion, but when we get to that age, they'll have a joint birthday/Halloween party. (One was born a week before Halloween and the other a week after.) I plan to do budget themed parties, then go all out for the eldest's 16/youngest's 13.

Right now we do a cake for each birthday on the supper club night nearest their birthdays.

 

[luvmy3]

From the site:

If you think children’s birthday parties are getting out of control, you’ve come to the right place. We want to raise awareness of this problem and offer alternatives for parents and kids who want birthdays without pressure.

Sorry, but if you feel pressured by what someone else does for their child, its YOUR problem, not A problem that needs a local and national conversation to fix I don't care what anyone else does for their child, its their child, their money, their choice. It does not effect what I do for my own kids, it seems that the women who let it need therapy not a national conversation to fix THEIR problem.

I read through the examples of out of control parties and I just don't get why anyone would care enough what other people do to start a website dedicated to the awareness of other people's parties. (except the case where the cougar mauled a guest, that is horrible). With all that being said, I think there are some really good ideas for parties, but I think in general the people who would take the time to complain, blog about, write to their local papers, campaign for awareness, etc about other people's birthday parties are a little bit insane
Do what you want for your own child, don't worry about what anyone else does for theirs

 

[a1tinkfans]

I think I have BEEN to two of those parties!!! Just kidding....


I say............. do what is "right" for your family!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Sorry, but if you feel pressured by what someone else does for their child, its YOUR problem, not A problem that needs a local and national conversation to fix I don't care what anyone else does for their child, its their child, their money, their choice. It does not effect what I do for my own kids, it seems that the women who let it need therapy not a national conversation to fix THEIR problem.

 

[EMom]

From the site:

If you think children’s birthday parties are getting out of control, you’ve come to the right place. We want to raise awareness of this problem and offer alternatives for parents and kids who want birthdays without pressure.

Sorry, but if you feel pressured by what someone else does for their child, its YOUR problem, not A problem that needs a local and national conversation to fix I don't care what anyone else does for their child, its their child, their money, their choice. It does not effect what I do for my own kids, it seems that the women who let it need therapy not a national conversation to fix THEIR problem.

I read through the examples of out of control parties and I just don't get why anyone would care enough what other people do to start a website dedicated to the awareness of other people's parties. (except the case where the cougar mauled a guest, that is horrible). With all that being said, I think there are some really good ideas for parties, but I think in general the people who would take the time to complain, blog about, write to their local papers, campaign for awareness, etc about other people's birthday parties are a little bit insane
Do what you want for your own child, don't worry about what anyone else does for theirs

Amen! If someone gives their child on over the top party, feel free to roll your eyes and not attend. Bravo to those who can put together a fun but thrifty party. I'm not one of them.

We have one child. We have one relative within driving distance of where we live. So a "family" birthday party would consist of DD, DH, me and DH's brother. Whoopee! I don't want to have a party at my house because I don't want to have to clean up after a bunch of kids. I'd rather pay and have it elsewhere....Let them clean up. A dinner out would be nothing special, as we do that as a trio all the time. We do take her to the restaurant of her choice on her actual birthday, but it's just a meal....no biggie.

We have no family events, no get togethers, etc. So for us, throwing a big birthday party for DD is a fun thing for her and is a chance for a group outing. We have one child, so it's easier to afford than if we had several. We don't lord it over anyone. By the same token, I don't look down on anyone who does "simple" birthday patries.

To each his own.

 

[TupperMom7]

Hey, if you have the money to have a big party or whatever, then do it! But if you don't have the money, don't feel like you have to do it for your child to have a happy birthday.

When I was growing up, there were no "birthday places" - we had parties at the house and invited kids from school and the neighbors, etc. There was cake, icecream, presents, a few games - only the winners got prizes. Everybody could take a balloon home at the end - it was fun and inexpensive.

My kids have been to all kinds of parties and they have fun because they are with their friends, not because the parents spent $500 on a party. We have done it both ways, not $500, but at least $200, and to tell you the truth the parties in the house were more of a pain to me because it was more work. If I had $200 to book a bowling alley, I'd do that instead.

I think it also depends on the time of year your kid's birthday is. Mine are winter birthdays, so there is no option of an outdoor party. Can't count on ice or snow, so that wouldn't work.