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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Birthday Parties -- How Much $ Usually Spent?!
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Anonymous
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How much do you usually spend on birthday parties for your DC (including entertainment, venue, food, favors)?
The money we spend drives DH crazy. My view is that my DCs are only young once, will only continue to have these big, all class, birthday blowouts until they are 9 or 10, and a birthday party is one of those cherished childhood memories. So, I just need a reality check . . . how much do you typically spend on these gala events? |
Anonymous
| About $500 (and not happy about it, but there it is). |
Anonymous
| $300 - on food, goodie bags, and an activity (no venue or entertainment) |
Anonymous
| To add to this question: would you spend a little more if you didn't have to plan and execute the whole thing? |
Anonymous
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6:37 here: No. We now hold parties at an outside venue (MyGym, e.g.), so planning is fairly minimal. We also end up spending no more than or even less than we did when we had the parties at home.
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Anonymous
Same here (times three kids)...also not happy about it. |
Anonymous
| I've spent about $300 in the past. This year I scaled back and spent about half that for a small at-home party for 5 close friends. I could not have been happier. It was a relaxed atmosphere, the girls had a fabulous time, everyone was well-behaved. It was more work for me, but totally worth it. It was about being with good friends and doing something special rather than about the extravaganza event at the gym. |
Anonymous
| So far, it's been about $30. That's for a cake I make myself and pizza and some balloons. Oh, plus about $20 for a gift. Granted, my oldest is only 3 so maybe next year we'll spend a little more. Honestly though, there is no reason on God's green earth that you need to spend hundreds of dollars on a small childs birthday party - especially if the adults in the house are not happy about or able to spend that kind of money! The whole "keeping up with the Joneses" makes me insane. Of course, if you have the money and both parents agree it's a reasonable expense, go for it and have fun. |
Anonymous
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For 2 years, almost nothing - cupcakes and dinner for the grown-ups basically.
For 3 years, maybe $75, which accounted for a cake, food and goody bags for the kids. For 4 years, I had a pretty large party at home for the whole class, and spent about $300 including the craft, goody bags, and food. Next year the class will be larger and I cannot have a classwide party and stay sane. For 5 years, I'm planning on cutting back, just having a few friends do something like go to the movies or the circus |
Anonymous
Too much - I am with your husband. We avoid destination parties, limit the guests to the age of the child, and will usually do a 'theme' with help from Oriental Trader (cheap, fun, my favorite). Home-made cakes or cupcakes except in an emergency (store bought if I HAVE to). The theme props are the take home treats. We have done Mardi Gras, Ground Hog Day, Beach Luau in December, Pumpkin patch romp... usually for under $25 in total goodies. |
Anonymous
| I make the cake, make the food, and buy balloons and other decorations and goodie bags. I still don't think I have spent more than $50 on a party. Parties are great, kids are only young once, but that doesn't mean you have to go somewhere or hire someone to entertain the children for you. I am definitely back-lashing against all the extravagant birthdays, I think they are a waste and set a bad example. As grown ups we don't get everything we want handed to us, and it is a hard reality for so many who are raised to believe the world revolves around them. I have seen it way too many times. A party in and of itself is a privilege, not a right, and is a ton of fun (more fun and less exhausting) having just a few friends over, and enjoying the day. |
Anonymous
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This is a tricky question because it really depends on how much disposable income you have. One person's $2,000 is equivalent to another's $300 and to another's $50 so the absolute amount is not indicative of whether or not you are spending too much. So my answer would be an amount you can easily afford without having to go into debt or get anxious. I also think it is important to get your spouse's approval on the amount as it just makes life easier.
We spend about $1,000 for our DS's parties - sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less. My husband is totally on board because he is also of the opinion that birthday parties are special occasions for children. We are completely comfortable spending that much and are always happy with the outcome. I should also add that DS's birthday is in the heart of winter so we always have to have something planned for indoors - we always have the parties at home. We never discuss the amount we spend with any of our friends because we know some have very different opinions, which we don't share, on what a child's party should be. Horses for courses! |
Anonymous
Then why do it? |
Anonymous
| Because it's so much easier than the planning and effort that go into a less expensive party, especially if you want to invite a lot of kids. When I say I'm not happy, I don't mean I'm despondent about it. It's just not my ideal, but it's what works for us right now. |
Anonymous
Here is the thing, a child's birthday, is not a Gala Event. Why do you need to invite the entire class? Two or three friends is enough, besides all the kids don't like each other, or get along. |