How much are you spending on birthday parties?

[Anonymous]

There's a rule? There's literally nothing stopping you from doing the $100 6 kid option at chuck e cheese. What's going to happen, someone's going to call you out on not paying for 25 kids?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just read an article in the New York Times that people are spending 75 k for kid’s parties in California.

I'm in California. My kids have been invited to a couple parties, have been in preschool since age 2 and are now Elementary aged. All of them have been basic parties at roller rinks or the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read an article in the New York Times that people are spending 75 k for kid’s parties in California.

I'm in California. My kids have been invited to a couple parties, have been in preschool since age 2 and are now Elementary aged. All of them have been basic parties at roller rinks or the park.

And I spend about $150 per birthday for my kids here in CA. no big party.

[Anonymous]

But the crepes though- what were the savory options? We hate it when the porcini are out of season and they augment with portobello, the mushroom of the working class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my son was in preschool, a classmate (mixed age, Montessori) had her birthday at the Marriott conference center in formerly White Flint. There was a bounce house, video golf, cotton candy, a candy bar, pizza, heavy appetizers for the adults (bacon wrapped scallops, shrimp, pasta bar). It was over the top. They must have spent $10K. But I do not remember her name or her parents and I don’t even recall how old she was, maybe 5 or 6. Save your money for things that really matter. I’m sure the girl barely remembers too!

DS went to a birthday party when he was 4 that was at a country club where they had rented out the ballroom and also had the pool closed down for only the party guests. They had Batman and Superman there and some assorted princesses, every kid got a birthday-gift sized "goodie bag" (given to them by Batman) and there was an open bar in addition to an insane amount of food. I can't imagine how much they spent. There were about 25 kids there, plus parents.

Some people are extremely hospitable. Some people are cheap.

If you have a park party with juice and cupcakes, I hope you say “no gifts” on the invite!

We do morning park parties and serve breakfast, coffee, juice, and the dessert is donuts. We say "no gifts." The kids have a blast and the adults love to chat and eat/drink coffee. I am fine if people think we are cheap. The whole thing usually costs $400.

[Anonymous]

Recently there was a story of a woman who was told that she had to invite the entire class and there were a couple of kids who were notorious for misbehaving and breaking things. So, for these kids, she requested a $200 breakage fee from parents and none of these kids attended party.

Life is not inclusive and children need to learn this.

[Anonymous]

Any party for kids at a basic venue (bouncing, bowling, athletics etc) for 20 kids is going to be around 1k all in after party packages, tips, party favors, and birthday cake.

Doing it at home is not much cheaper (once you factor in entertainment or equipment rentals), and food, decor, etc. plus far more stress and cleanup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my son was in preschool, a classmate (mixed age, Montessori) had her birthday at the Marriott conference center in formerly White Flint. There was a bounce house, video golf, cotton candy, a candy bar, pizza, heavy appetizers for the adults (bacon wrapped scallops, shrimp, pasta bar). It was over the top. They must have spent $10K. But I do not remember her name or her parents and I don’t even recall how old she was, maybe 5 or 6. Save your money for things that really matter. I’m sure the girl barely remembers too!

DS went to a birthday party when he was 4 that was at a country club where they had rented out the ballroom and also had the pool closed down for only the party guests. They had Batman and Superman there and some assorted princesses, every kid got a birthday-gift sized "goodie bag" (given to them by Batman) and there was an open bar in addition to an insane amount of food. I can't imagine how much they spent. There were about 25 kids there, plus parents.

Some people are extremely hospitable. Some people are cheap.

If you have a park party with juice and cupcakes, I hope you say “no gifts” on the invite!

We do morning park parties and serve breakfast, coffee, juice, and the dessert is donuts. We say "no gifts." The kids have a blast and the adults love to chat and eat/drink coffee. I am fine if people think we are cheap. The whole thing usually costs $400.

Yep I have a preschooler so we've been to a bunch of these. If we are fed and my kid is entertained, sounds great! I don't even mind bringing a gift, though most are no gifts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my son was in preschool, a classmate (mixed age, Montessori) had her birthday at the Marriott conference center in formerly White Flint. There was a bounce house, video golf, cotton candy, a candy bar, pizza, heavy appetizers for the adults (bacon wrapped scallops, shrimp, pasta bar). It was over the top. They must have spent $10K. But I do not remember her name or her parents and I don’t even recall how old she was, maybe 5 or 6. Save your money for things that really matter. I’m sure the girl barely remembers too!

DS went to a birthday party when he was 4 that was at a country club where they had rented out the ballroom and also had the pool closed down for only the party guests. They had Batman and Superman there and some assorted princesses, every kid got a birthday-gift sized "goodie bag" (given to them by Batman) and there was an open bar in addition to an insane amount of food. I can't imagine how much they spent. There were about 25 kids there, plus parents.

Some people are extremely hospitable. Some people are cheap.

If you have a park party with juice and cupcakes, I hope you say “no gifts” on the invite!

We do morning park parties and serve breakfast, coffee, juice, and the dessert is donuts. We say "no gifts." The kids have a blast and the adults love to chat and eat/drink coffee. I am fine if people think we are cheap. The whole thing usually costs $400.

Yep I have a preschooler so we've been to a bunch of these. If we are fed and my kid is entertained, sounds great! I don't even mind bringing a gift, though most are no gifts.

This is what we do and seemingly half of our preschool does. It is a relief for everyone. I like going to them because I don’t feel locked in; we can drop by for however long my kid is feeling it and don’t feel like we are ditching too early. And gets rid of any awkwardness compared to going to someone’s house that I barely know and trying to make small talk while keeping an eye on my kid. And such a relief for the host not having to rent a place or host 20 little kids!