The oddest birthday party setup/situation that you have encountered

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were invited to a party via evite and told something along the lines of "there are a limited number of spots, so not everyone invited will be able to attend." When we opened the evite, we already were too late, and our DC didn't make the cut.

You have got to be kidding??11

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First grade classmate of my daughter's. The kid apparently liked helicopters, because the parents rented a real helicopter that flew in and gave the kids rides at the party. Everything else was over the top too, but I had rented a goat for my daughter's party a few months before and felt a little, um, amused by the whole helicopter thing. Kids thought it was cool. And the R/C helicopter gift bag thing was cool too.

Why would you rent a goat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say elaborate birthday parties for a 1 year old with more than 10 people are always strike me as inconsiderate to the child and alll about the parents. Overwhelming, loud, sometimes the adults get too drunk. I went to one with a DJ and the kid was crying hysterically. It seems to make more sense to invest a ton of money and planning into a birthday party your child will actually remember!

It can be done nicely. We had a party from 11-1 with about 50 people for my DD's first birthday. At a park with a nice playground, lots of food (for everyone), no booze. And yes, it is for the adults, not my daughter, because she won't remember.

The most annoying thing I see is inviting kids to a lunch party (not drop off) and then not providing food for the parents. Seriously. I thought it was maybe a cultural thing - I am Asian and would be mortified if guests left my home hungry. But then I asked a couple of white friends and they thought it was bonkers, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say elaborate birthday parties for a 1 year old with more than 10 people are always strike me as inconsiderate to the child and alll about the parents. Overwhelming, loud, sometimes the adults get too drunk. I went to one with a DJ and the kid was crying hysterically. It seems to make more sense to invest a ton of money and planning into a birthday party your child will actually remember!

Um, your one year old isn't going to remember a birthday party no matter what, so why not make it a party for the grown ups? I agree that a DJ is out of control, but the last 1-year old party I went to was just a game night for the grown ups. Baby went to sleep about an hour after we got there.

In my parents' culture, one year birthdays are a big deal, generally held in some sort of hall with catered food, etc... - it's an opportunity for friends and family to meet the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say elaborate birthday parties for a 1 year old with more than 10 people are always strike me as inconsiderate to the child and alll about the parents. Overwhelming, loud, sometimes the adults get too drunk. I went to one with a DJ and the kid was crying hysterically. It seems to make more sense to invest a ton of money and planning into a birthday party your child will actually remember!

It can be done nicely. We had a party from 11-1 with about 50 people for my DD's first birthday. At a park with a nice playground, lots of food (for everyone), no booze. And yes, it is for the adults, not my daughter, because she won't remember.

The most annoying thing I see is inviting kids to a lunch party (not drop off) and then not providing food for the parents. Seriously. I thought it was maybe a cultural thing - I am Asian and would be mortified if guests left my home hungry. But then I asked a couple of white friends and they thought it was bonkers, too.

You can't invite parents and not have food and drinks for them. It doesn't have to be alcohol and gourmet food, but offer them some lemonade and a slice of pizza, for god's sake!!

[Anonymous]

Um, your one year old isn't going to remember a birthday party no matter what, so why not make it a party for the grown ups?

You are correct that they won't remember it, but they can either enjoy the day as it happens by having some fun play with other adults and babies at a park/home/soft playroom, or they can be bothered by a DJ or forced to sit through an event at a "gourmet eclectic tea shop," as my nephew was.

[Anonymous]

Invited to newly-built house, still just dirt for the yard. We arrived early because they were borrowing our bounce-around, so we needed to set it up. Were informed no one would be allowed inside--party would take place on tiny, unshaded back porch when it was a sunny, 100+ degree lunchtime.

Refreshments were not-cold water bottles, 1 bag of chips with salsa, and plate of PB&J sandwiches, cut into triangles, for about 10 families. Cake too small for everyone to have a sliver.

Clown arrived, and refused to work outside--her makeup was melting. So hostess made eveyone take off shoes and stay right inside the door.

We left hungry, thirsty, hot, and exhausted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Invited to newly-built house, still just dirt for the yard. We arrived early because they were borrowing our bounce-around, so we needed to set it up. Were informed no one would be allowed inside--party would take place on tiny, unshaded back porch when it was a sunny, 100+ degree lunchtime.

Refreshments were not-cold water bottles, 1 bag of chips with salsa, and plate of PB&J sandwiches, cut into triangles, for about 10 families. Cake too small for everyone to have a sliver.

Clown arrived, and refused to work outside--her makeup was melting. So hostess made eveyone take off shoes and stay right inside the door.

We left hungry, thirsty, hot, and exhausted.

I wouldn't have left hungry, thirsty, hot and exhausted...I would have left immediately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were invited to a party via evite and told something along the lines of "there are a limited number of spots, so not everyone invited will be able to attend." When we opened the evite, we already were too late, and our DC didn't make the cut.

Unreal.

Interesting. We received a similar evite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Invited to newly-built house, still just dirt for the yard. We arrived early because they were borrowing our bounce-around, so we needed to set it up. Were informed no one would be allowed inside--party would take place on tiny, unshaded back porch when it was a sunny, 100+ degree lunchtime.

Refreshments were not-cold water bottles, 1 bag of chips with salsa, and plate of PB&J sandwiches, cut into triangles, for about 10 families. Cake too small for everyone to have a sliver.

Clown arrived, and refused to work outside--her makeup was melting. So hostess made eveyone take off shoes and stay right inside the door.

We left hungry, thirsty, hot, and exhausted.

I wouldn't have left hungry, thirsty, hot and exhausted...I would have left immediately.

This!!!!

[Anonymous]

Some of these are actually making me angry.

Who are these people? So sure that their wealth/ position will buy their kids social acceptance that they don't even worry about being total boors?

Compared to these, my kids' birthday parties rock. Parents are always welcome to stay. Kids have ONE activity, and then free-range. Food for all, booze for parents. It's my party, too, don't you know.

[Anonymous]

Went to a one year old's party at an exclusive country club in Lima, Peru. A hundred guests at least, dressed to the nines, uniformed nannies chased children around while gorgeous adults partied. There were rented amusement park rides, popcorn, cotton candy, sno cone machines, bouncy house of course, and a professional photog to document it all. There was also a cake cutting moment just like a wedding. In fact, it was a lot like an expensive wedding.

Anyone else attended one of these? I was astonished, but had a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say elaborate birthday parties for a 1 year old with more than 10 people are always strike me as inconsiderate to the child and alll about the parents. Overwhelming, loud, sometimes the adults get too drunk. I went to one with a DJ and the kid was crying hysterically. It seems to make more sense to invest a ton of money and planning into a birthday party your child will actually remember!

+1. Narcissism at its most obvious.

[Anonymous]

Just this morning saw an internet article about "crocodile pool parties" in Florida; as in real gators in the pool swimming with the kids!!! It's the new big thing there. They simply tape the crocs mouth shut and throw them in the backyard pool with all the guests. They quoted some parents who have hired this for their kid's b-days and they said they don't tell other guests about it beforehand "because they might not come". Wonder why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of these are actually making me angry.

Who are these people? So sure that their wealth/ position will buy their kids social acceptance that they don't even worry about being total boors?

Compared to these, my kids' birthday parties rock. Parents are always welcome to stay. Kids have ONE activity, and then free-range. Food for all, booze for parents. It's my party, too, don't you know.

You rock!