Ok I remember the days of home parties with home baked cakes that just had streamers and plates. It seems to me that parties are super expensive these days.
We just had the boys party and it was expensive, but then went to a friend of Ks party and they hired a taco guy that was 250 dollars for the party then all the other food and cake and decorations it must of cost an arm and a leg.
Now were planning Ks party at the aquarium and that is more expensive than we wanted but figured no stress no cleanup was worth it. Now Im looking for cupcakes and if I get them from a good bakery here its 5 dollars per cupcake. If I do them myself buying the tops off of etsy its about 2.50 per cupcake.
When did childrens parties get so intricate and expensive. Or maybe I was just nieve on how much my parties costed as a kid.
-- Edited by 3s_a_crowd on Saturday 3rd of April 2010 04:32:27 PM
-- Edited by 3s_a_crowd on Saturday 3rd of April 2010 04:33:08 PM
Honestly, I think life was just a little bit simpler. We didn't have pump it up or Monkey Bizness (sp?) or any of that. I always had a party at home with home made cake or cupcakes. And you know what? I have great memories of my parties.
Why not just do home made cupcakes without toppers? (I'm not sure if you're just saying or if you're kind of asking for input.)
I wanted to do the boys' party at a party place and told Doug. We can't afford it though - almost $200 I think. But Gavin specifically asked for it and it's so hard to say no when all his friends did parties at cool places. But honestly, he has fun every year regardless of where it is. Sooooooo...my point is - I totally understand and it seems like they just keep getting more and more out of hand and it's like every year has to top the year before, kwim?
I would like to do the fondant toppers because it would be more theme oriented but I could just do shaped sprinkles tons cheaper. I guess I just wnat it to be memorable.
Were totally ok with the cost of the place which a year ago dh would have totally said no, but after doing the birthday for the boys and trying to get everyone on base (which is a huge pitb) and cleanup from 13 children age 2-7 and 12 adults he was ALL for it LOL.
Yeah-I agree! My most memorable birthday party (and my friends brought this up for years too, so it was memorable for everyone) was this one year when my mom and dad were getting ready to remodel the powder room and they let everyone rip down the old wallpaper at my party, lol.
And my mom would have crafts with beads or shells or something-it was always at home though. I used to beg to have a party at McDs though, I do remember!
Anyway, we don't have parties at any special places, and I doubt we will. We have parties at home, and thus far it hasn't been an issue. But I don't think we save much money because we have such a large family and we always serve meals. It gets to be a lot for food and beer and all.
I have to say though-I do like going to the parties at those places when it is for their friends. With the family parties, it is nice to just hang out and have time, but with the kids parties, I enjoy that they are short and sweet.
The cost kills me. That said, I did just have Braydon's party at the bowling alley/arcade. $120 for 10 kids with 2 hours of unlimited bowling and video games. Then a half hour to have cake and presents. I didn't do treat bags, I just sent each kid home with a balloon. It was so nice not having to worry about cleaning before and picking up after.
I remember we had a big ol' debate about this a long time ago. I think to each their own, and I also think different areas/communities have different expectations. Fortunately, we haven't much hit the friends party stage, though even once we do the options are very limited. There are no bounce zones or whatever they are called, and chuck e cheese is over 2 hrs away. I plan to do what my parents did and have 1-2 big friends party, but the rest of the years will just be small home parties with immidiate family.
we didn't have birthday parties growing up, and it's a memory i always wish that I'd had
so to me, birthday parties aren't just memories for the kids, they're memories for me too
i love the details, the event planning, the crafting...are there more efficient ways to spend my money? sure, probably. but for me, the money is always well worth it. we all enjoy the day and cole's parties and themes are things he already has fond memories of
I usually start getting ready for Luc's party a few months in advance so I can get a little bit at a time so then it isn't one big price tag at once. I don't think we go overboard though. We're also really lucky that we've never had to put down any money for a place to host it. My parents have a a huge backyard and an in ground pool so every year we've gone there. It's just to hot here in July to just go to a park or something. I'm also super blessed with a talented friend who makes cakes. She always does Luc's cake for free as his present.
I love planning Luc's party and it is something I think I enjoy just as much as he does.
