Anonymous wrote:The only people who think it is over-the-top would be people who either 1. Aren't particularly crafty and aren't into that thing or 2. would like to do it but can't and are jealous. I kind of bristled at PP comment that you would be taking time away from more important things to do this. You clearly said your party was put together during your free evenings. Sounds like maybe that person is a bit jealous that you have your act together a little bit more and have time in the evenings to do this. You don't sound like the type that was forgetting to feed your children while you made fancy banners to impress your guests.

I definitely know people who enjoy that and do it purely for fun. I also know people who do it for show (usually they wind up buying most of the stuff, not doing it themselves). If you enjoy it I say run with it. I have had some more elaborate parties for my kids-when time and resources allow, and others that were much more subdued. I would have loved to of done more but just couldn't make it work. Both have worked out fine and I don't give a damn what others think. I do it for me and for my family-things we'd appreciate. And I don't think non-crafty people understand what an outlet it is for crafty people to be able to do this.

My kids are a bit older now so I definitely have found that Life has moved me away from some of the judge mental people.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's totally over the top and I'm also totally over the top with jealousy!!! I admit it

I'm jealous b/c you're clearly creative and crafty and I'm most definitely not, despite wishing I was. I'm jealous b/c you either have more free time than I do (no judgment on whether you work or SAH) or you are a much better time manager than I. I'm jealous b/c people like you make me feel inferior.

But...like I said, I own those jealous feelings and I would be delighted to attend your parties.

Anonymous wrote:
I put DC's first birthday together in 3 nights. Seriously, I put DC to bed and in 3 nights I assembled the favors, the banner, made the cupcake toppers, ordered stuff online.. it was no big deal, I like doing it and for me it's easy. Then we invited people to celebrate with us and I hear that they think we exaggerated? I know for sure they're on DCUM and it breaks my heart to know that friends that I love and care about are as mean and vile like we read around here.

Anonymous wrote:I posted while ago about a pumpkin decorating party to get to know the parents in DC's school better and asked if PP's liked the invitation.

Now, reading the thread about the baby sprinkle I see people screaming "way over the top" to the poster who mentioned the blog with some pictures of a similar event.

When people say "way over the top" what do they mean? Aren't they pleased to attend a party where the host took a little time to put something meaningful together?

I enjoy making crafts, making an invitation like that doesn't take 5 minutes if you already have the file in our computer. I like getting glue and glitter on my hands. Is it really too much to have a cute topper on a cupcake at our party, or a banner with my child's name on it... a bunch of fresh flowers, a cute napkin matching the paper plates? Seriously? Too much? Who doesn't like matching cute stuff? It's once a year, why not have a yummy meal on a pretty set up table?

If we give away a plastic bag with crap from party express we're annoying but if we put a cute useful favor together with some personal touch we're "way over the top"?

I put DC's first birthday together in 3 nights. Seriously, I put DC to bed and in 3 nights I assembled the favors, the banner, made the cupcake toppers, ordered stuff online.. it was no big deal, I like doing it and for me it's easy. Then we invited people to celebrate with us and I hear that they think we exaggerated? I know for sure they're on DCUM and it breaks my heart to know that friends that I love and care about are as mean and vile like we read around here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it " too much to have a cute topper on a cupcake at our party, or a banner with my child's name on it... a bunch of fresh flowers, a cute napkin matching the paper plates"?

It wouldn't be too much to do ONE of those things, but to do ALL of those things together? Yes, that's where I think it's too much. I put together my DD's 1st birthday in zero time. Literally - because we didn't celebrate it. The baby won't know. We were traveling for my job at the time.

I don't like glitter and glue and getting dirty. If you do stuff like that, I look at you and think "Wow, if you have time to do that then that is your priority over doing other things, and we have nothing in common." Also, you mentioned "cute" like four times. I HATE cute. I'm all for a goody bag with some bubbles and a kazoo or whatever, but don't need bubbles that have a label you made one night that has a picture of your DC holding a banner that says "Thanks for coming to Aiden's 2nd birthday party!" To me, that's too much.

If it makes you happy then knock yourself out. But make sure you're doing it for the right reasons - because YOU enjoy the creative side of it. Not because of what people will think of you.

I'm just curious what trauma has happened in your life to suck all the joy out of it? I mean that, seriously. You sound bitter, jaded, and unhappy. That must be really hard.

Anonymous wrote:Is it " too much to have a cute topper on a cupcake at our party, or a banner with my child's name on it... a bunch of fresh flowers, a cute napkin matching the paper plates"?

It wouldn't be too much to do ONE of those things, but to do ALL of those things together? Yes, that's where I think it's too much. I put together my DD's 1st birthday in zero time. Literally - because we didn't celebrate it. The baby won't know. We were traveling for my job at the time.

I don't like glitter and glue and getting dirty. If you do stuff like that, I look at you and think "Wow, if you have time to do that then that is your priority over doing other things, and we have nothing in common." Also, you mentioned "cute" like four times. I HATE cute. I'm all for a goody bag with some bubbles and a kazoo or whatever, but don't need bubbles that have a label you made one night that has a picture of your DC holding a banner that says "Thanks for coming to Aiden's 2nd birthday party!" To me, that's too much.

If it makes you happy then knock yourself out. But make sure you're doing it for the right reasons - because YOU enjoy the creative side of it. Not because of what people will think of you.