Child's birthday--

[Belle1962]

We have decided to have a birthday party for my DGS who will be 5 in January. When my son was growing up we had family only parties (and that was 25 - 30 people) and only had 1 "friends' party when he was little. Anyway--as I look at options--Chuck E Cheese, bowling party and this "jump party" it seems the average price for a party is going to be around $250 - $300 for 25 kids. Does this seem normal or high?

Also--I wanted to invite the kids he played fall ball with, even though we last saw them at the end of October at the team party--is that tacky?

 

[mommytotwo]

I don't think it's tacky at all to invite his football teammates. It will be a nice get together for all of them to see each other once again. If they are not able to make it, they will just let you know.

Depending on the type of food, party decorations, party favors, location... the price will vary.

For my daughter's parties we have it at home, but with all the table decorations, party favors, party bags for the kids, pinata, prizes, foods.... we range from $1,000 and up.

My cousin's sons have had their birthday at Chuck E Cheese and it was really simple. You just tell them how many kids you have, they give you the hats, tokens, the pizza, drinks....if you have adults that want subs or salads, that is also avaliable there....and then Happy Birthday gets sung to the birthday child. Way less work having it there.

 

[Living with the Land]

My daughters parties are usually 500-1,000. this year we did Build-a-Bear for 14 kids. After the bears we had cake and drinks for kids and parents. Our total ended up at 600 total. I didn't think that was too bad.

Holly

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Holy Moley. My kids were deprived children. They were allowed to have one child per year of age. (Eight years old = 8 friends.) And most of the parties were at home with a craft and games and cake and ice cream. I can not imagine spending $1000 for a kids' birthday party.

To each their own.

 

[bananiem]

Oh, thank you! I was afraid I really AM as cheap as I think I am!
Around here kids take a group no more than 10 bowling or to the movies or have a sleepover. Parents don't spend more than $75-$100 on a party. And these are people that make 6 figures, so it's not like they couldn't.

 

[MoniqueU]

I don't know how much people around here spend on a party but if I get one more invite to Chuck E Cheese I am going to SCREAM. The only thing I like about that place is they have wine and trust me I need some of it to dull my nerves from the sheer insanity of the place.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

We've had all of dd's parties from age 4 outside the home (including Chuck E Cheese's) and they generally run about $10/kid, so $250-300 sounds right for the size of party you're talking about. Also, when dd started having these types of parties with friends, we stopped inviting family. 'Course, "family" to us is all adults, her cousins are much older than she is. We generally invite all the girls in her class, plus a few friends from the neighborhood, girl scouts, or whereever, and we end up with about 15 kids, end up spending about $150 for the party, plus goody bags and cake. I think it works out about the same price-wise as if we had it at home. Buying all those decorations, tableware, party games/supplies/entertainment sure adds up. And of course the best part is they set up and clean up for you!

I also think $1,000 for a kids party is a lot , and while technically we could afford it, we choose not to. Most families in our area do about what we do.

Oh, and I think inviting the football team is fine, too. I've never received an invitation I thought was tacky, I've only thought "how nice" that they wanted to include me/my dd.

 

[PaulaSue]

For my daughter's parties we have it at home, but with all the table decorations, party favors, party bags for the kids, pinata, prizes, foods.... we range from $1,000 and up.

No wonder so many people go to Disney so often if you can afford to do this just for a kids party. More power to you!!! Do you want to adopt a family of 3 little princesses and their Mom?

 

[Mysteria]

I have to admit I nearly fell off my chair reading this thread. I guess I didn't travel in the $1000.00 party circle when I was a kid. Wait a sec. I still don't.

Myst

 

[mommytotwo]

No wonder so many people go to Disney so often if you can afford to do this just for a kids party. More power to you!!! Do you want to adopt a family of 3 little princesses and their Mom?

Sorry we don't have room for your family.
Birthdays are a big thing for me to put together for my daughter. After losing a baby before she was born, it's a big celebration. I thought that her first birthday was going to be the big one and the ones following will be smaller, but not that much smaller.
We'll see what happens.
Oh, and we don't have a Chuck E Cheese here. If we did, then that is what my daughter would like to do for her party.

 

[MoniqueU]

Well I am taking my daughter to Disneyland with Breakfast for 8 at goofys kitchen, hair for 4 or 5 at Libby Lu and all the stuff that goes with that. Park tickets for extra person and sons extra friend, plus food for the rest of the day, plus souveneirs plus pin trading. I am not sure what it will add up to but not 1000 dollars I don't think and it will be super magical. The one thing I don't get is I told her she could bring 3 friends and she said she only wants to bring one. Now this is not the kind of girl that wants to spare me hassle or money so I am really baffled by this one LOL.

I am not one to budget out for things but I think I would actuallly have trouble spending 1000 dollars on a party and that would be if I was trying to. I have hit the 500 mark I am sure but not the 1000.

 

[PaulaSue]

Sorry we don't have room for your family.
Birthdays are a big thing for me to put together for my daughter. After losing a baby before she was born, it's a big celebration. I thought that her first birthday was going to be the big one and the ones following will be smaller, but not that much smaller.
.

Darn!

I understand totally! I lost my 2DC (miscarriage) and DD#2 twin (miscarriage).

 

[mommytotwo]

Darn!

I understand totally! I lost my 2DC (miscarriage) and DD#2 twin (miscarriage).

I am sorry for your loss .
I had a stillborn and a miscarriage.

 

[aprilgail2]

Around here kids parties usually start at 15.00 a kid...my daughter wants a spa party next year..they get facials, nails done, pedicures etc...that one runs 35.00 a kid so she will be limited for the first time ever to 15 children at her party. This year she had an ice skating party and that was 15.00 a child plus the "goody bag" which really wasn't a goody bag..I bought one bigger gift for each kid instead of the "bag o crap" things that we usually get/give...

 

[anewvance]

It's so expensive to have parties outside of the house (unless at a park). My daughter's go to a higher class school and it's amazing the birthday parties she goes to. One was at build a bear where they all got to make a bear with an outfit. Another one was at a paint your pottery place and another was a huge affair at a local zoo. It's crazy, I figure they all spend at least $500-$750 on these parties if not more.

We always have my girls parties at my grandma's house. She has a huge yard and a pool, my daughter was old enough for her first pool party in August. They have a blast and I usually spend around $100 for food and decorations and even party bags because I bargain hunt.

 

[mum4jenn]

GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess I am in the cheap category too!! I would never ever spend that kind of money for a birthday party unless I was married to Bill Gates!!!!

Of course when dd was at a certain daycare(lots of rich people) there was lots of "gotta be better than "The Jones'" type stuff going on. The year started with our dd having the 1st birthday of the year so we sent a cake and little bags with the litle blow things that roll out and make a noise to go along with her Cinderella theme. Then as each kid had a birthday they each progressively got more and more elaborate. I think by the end of the year the kids were getting gift bags with stuff in them worth over $30 each and then parties at another place that for a 3 year old were way over the top!!!

Oh well......... Oh I guess I better add "TO EACH HIS OWN" so I don't get flamed! HA HA HA

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I bought one bigger gift for each kid instead of the "bag o crap" things..

LOL at "bag o crap"! I hate those things. This is becoming fairly common where we live... to give out one bigger item instead. One year, I found 4-packs of My Little Ponies at Costco for about $14.00, so we gave each girl a MLP. Parents were so excited about it and said how generous it was, but in reality, those MLP's cost less than the usual bag o crap does.

 

[taximomfor4]

Gotta chime in here!

We let the kids choose...either an elaborate party (10 kids at Chuck E Cheese, or preferably at Build a Bear), or a nice present (meaning the $100-$150 range). The kids are happy either way, in the end. But then again, I don't spend more on each kid at Christmas, either. We just don't need all that STUFF! If the child chooses the big present instead, we go out to dinner and then straight to Toys R US where they choose their gift. They usually had it picked months in advance, though...like a video game system or portable DVD player. My 12 yr old dd would rather clothes shop for yet more clothing.

Beth

 

[suzannews]

The last few years we have been in the $200 range for DD's party plus dinner just the 3 of us. Some of her friends are still talking about her ceramics party or the ice cream shop party where we also hired a guy who does the balloon animals.

Memories to last a lifetime....priceless.

 

[clh2]

Belle1962 - While $250 does seem high, it does seem like you are going to be having quite a crowd there. And...I might add, you'll be providing something for him he will not soon forget!

I am going to through out some "have you considered this" things that have been discussed on these boards in the past. If you haven't planned a party lately, you might just be surprised.

1. Most people do not understand the RSVP concept, and may just show up - even if they don't RSVP. Or, someone needs to call all the non-responding kids to find out if they are coming.

2. Occasionally, parents will drop off more kids than were invited to the party. I.e. siblings.

3. At Chuck E Cheese, if parents end up staying, have a plan in advance on whether or not you will pay for thier food/beverages. Just don't be surprised.


Good Luck!