Birthday idea/is society making birthdays into too much of a big deal??

Antoinette - posted on 08/07/2011

I think that it's up to you how big or small or fancy or low key etc you want and can go for your kids birthdays, as I read below - if you can afford it, why not!?
Personally though I don't think that gifts should be expected and definately not in non-milestone years (as in ok for 1st, 5th starting school, 13th etc but not the in betweens) I don't know why, just think it's superfluous.
I also think I'd like to register for gifts or list acceptable gifts: not so we only get nice stuff but because for example I don't want toy guns in my house.
I also don't really understand loot bags, I've done them for my little sisters 5th but kinda think that maybe getting some polaroid shots of the party to take home would make more sense, after all it's supposed to be about celebrating and sharing time with friends and family not about "stuff".
But basically I think anyone should do whatever they want and can for their children and damn what anyone else thinks, they don't have to come!!!!

Jenni - posted on 08/06/2011

I think if you want to go overboard thats fine, if you can afford it. Society does set us up to out do eachother. Your party idea sounds great! Not too big but not to small. Love the ear idea :) I keep my sons parties pretty low key but thats beacuse he's only just turned 4. As he gets older I will throw bigger parties (within reason) because birthdays are a big deal. They are a celebration of that person. I think you need to be the judge of whats too crazy for your family. Hope I helped :)

Jennifer - posted on 08/02/2011

I think that it is nice to celebrate the day your child was born. If you are celebrating with family and friends, why is that so wrong? For my son's first, I had his party at my parents home, thinking that everyone would be in the pool, but we mostly stayed inside. I made a Moose cake, and Zee cupcakes, and I had goodie bags. It was alot of work, and alot of clean up prior and after the party, But he was only one once! This year I am considering this place where they have inflatable bounce houses and slides. The whole thing lasts under two hours, and they do all of the set up and clean up. I was thinking that this would be really fun for all of the kids.

Maybe some make too big a deal out of birthday parties, but if you stay within your means, and you are doing it as a celebration rather than a "Look at what I did" kind of thing, it's not too much. That's what I think anyway.

When I was a kid, my parents hired a clown one year, and other years it was just family, and a cook out in the back yard. The point is that my parents love me, and I know that - not by what they bought for me, but by the way they loved me everyday. I hope I am doing the same thing for my son, because he is my world. It doesn't seem like you are going overboard to me. I'm sure that your sons will be running around and having fun with the other kids, and that's what counts - right?!

Cynthia - posted on 08/01/2011

I don't think you're going overboard at all. My son will be 2 o sept. 12th and I want to have a big party but my fiance wants to do something small and simple. It really doesn't matter what society says you do whatever you want to do. Whatever type of directions you want to have go for it. I have 3 children and I always have big parties. It's fun.

Karen - posted on 08/01/2011

My boys will be 2 on Sept 23, and I ithink what you are planning sounds fabulous! I know they would love it. I agree to some degree about going overboard, but I think it is more about spending too much money on something they wouldn't understand or appreciate. But what you are planning sounds like you are being careful will money and having fun in a creative way- what better to teach your child!?! I think you are spot on, even if it is more for the adults. If you enjoy putting all together than enjoy every minute and don't worry what others think. And I definitely agree with Sarah regarding pictures and memories to have forever!

Sarah - posted on 07/31/2011

Overboard? Not at all! Birthdays are special and only come once a year. Even though, your son won't remember, you will have pictures to show him later on. Family and friends will remember, and your son is going to have an awesome day:) Party on!

CHERYL - posted on 07/31/2011

Do what makes you happy! Sure they may not be able to remember it...but you will have loads of pictures that they can look back on and get pleasure from seeing. Please don't let party poopers spoil your little one's day. As I always say..."people spend money on what the want to spend money on." What you are doing is not going overboard. Those who don't value birthdays when their kids are young that's their opinion...don't let it infringe on you and your family. I say do it while you can...with this economy who says that you will be able to next year or the year after that....besides...tomorrow isn't promised...live for today...make memories NOW! ♥ ♥

Amy - posted on 07/30/2011

We think we will do small things.
1st and 2nd were fun too much we did. For her 3rd prob have at grandmas house and then when she is 5 or 6 then have friends over maybe. Kids have too many toys too much of this and that so might as well keep it to family and spend quality time together. This is what we will most likely be doing. I am not the party planning type though that stresses me out. Hubby isn't either so just not for us. YOu can also look into what other countries do for bdays and teach your kids about that.

Katie - posted on 07/30/2011

Heck yeah...go for it! What could possibly be wrong with showing your child how many people in the world love them?? Heck, we tried to do a big party for my daughter's 1st birthday and nobody showed up because they (didn't want to be around babies...seriously the excuse). So this year we are taking her to the zoo because she LOVES feeding the animals and doing something small with just our little family (Me, her Daddy & her)...we have decided to make our own little family tradition since our family's both show no interest in being involved and we are going to take her to build a bear every year and let her build a bear. By the time she's 18, she will have a bear for every phase of her life :)

Esther - posted on 07/30/2011

I think you should do what you want!! I'm planning my daughter's 2nd party as well and I'm going all out with a Dr. Seuss theme. It really doesn't matter what other people think. If your kid and everyone at the party has fun, nothing else matters!! I adore my daughter and I want to make everything special for her no matter how young she is.

Mia - posted on 07/30/2011

Not at all!!! I think its Great to go completely all out on my babies birthday. Why not? It comes once a year and each is a milestone that should be remembered. Your boy will never be 2 again!! Don't let other peoples opinions ruin it for you go as big as you like!!

Christine - posted on 07/29/2011

I agree some people go overboard. For my son's 2nd bday I think I am just going to have a family dinner and then throw him a party at his daycare. I'm going with yo gabba gabba as a theme and im going to decorate cupcakes as the characters. Should be fun! We are going to decorate cupcakes together. I figure, he will be in daycare on his birthday anyway so he might as well enjoy something with all his friends. I am a single parent so it's not even really an option to go overboard with gifts and such.

Rockie - posted on 07/29/2011

I don't think your going over board I see it as "to each it own". We have personally giving up on brithday parties. No one ever comes. When my oldest turned 5 we let him pick wat he wanted to do. Now in Sept. For my 2 year old we r going to the zoo.

Aimee - posted on 07/28/2011

Argh I think that society does make a big deal of bithday parties for young kids but in saying that its sooo much fun! For Taylas 1st birhday (09/09/09) it was pretty much just family and I would of been quite happy to do low key again - mainly because its would of been easier on me as I will be nearly due with number 2 on the day - but this one looks like it will be a bigger occasion. Tayla won't remember it but we will take loads of photos and she can look at them when she is older and maybe one day show her children. I think that is pretty special :) My daughter has bought me so much happiness and I think celebrating her birth is wonderful.

Jackie - posted on 07/27/2011

I have 4 kids, my youngest is 2 sept 29 a I've been planning his party since the beginning of june. Everyone, including my kids say I go crazy with their parties but I love doing it and and they are only that age once. Most decorations and invitations I make myself but I do try to make it memorable for them. You can't please everyone so make it fun for them.

Cesca - posted on 07/26/2011

There do seem to be those that like to really go all out for a big shindig every year and hey that's fine. I personally think that with all the illnesses carrying away people in our lives at younger and younger ages it is important to celebrate in some way, big or small, every year of life you get! I'm the sameway Danielle, I love to theme all my parties my little one's first birthday was puppy dog themed and I made a 3d giant blue dog cake and I got it fully catered (we're Italian so food is rather an essential part of all our celebrations, I cooked for the baptism but I wanted to have everyone out of the kitchen and enjoying the day!) To keep the cost from going wayyyyyyyyyy out we just kept the guest list small and did it at home as we had the room to do so. I made my own "Pin the nose on Patch" (the dog from 101 dalmations) game and hid paw prints (which I printed off a template and outlined in different colours) all over the place for the kids to find-I also used these as part of the decos for the party I found others and the loot bags and contents at a local party shop (puppies in party hats!)- I hand made invites and thankyous using scrapbooking stuff and a scrapbooking app I found online. He might not remember in 20 years but the look on his face for that day was priceless! (especially since due to his allergies we cant have a real puppy) One day when he looks back on his childhood I want him to know he and the time he spent as a baby was so important to us that we went to the effort to celebrate every moment in every way we possibly could (with or without the big budget!) Ignore those who try to tell you it's too much...it's only so if you are blowing your budget or struggling to get things done (in which case I'm sure you'll be able to find plenty of willing helping hands!) His second birthday is in September and I am already stocking up on Pingu (the penguin) and snowflake themed decos etc making invites and designing the cake (a giant 3d Pingu of course!) with baby 2 due in december this year I can't wait to come up with the next party ideas already! (Dont get me wrong I even do this for my hubby he is a car fan so his first birthday after we were married I themed the whole party around his fave model and colour of car!)Liek I said it is important to celebrate birthdays every year! and hey a little celebrating in between them never hurts either! So Get Mickeyed my dear and have a glorious day for your precious little one (lets face it you wont be able to theme the 21st the same way!)

Susan - posted on 07/26/2011

Sweet Mama, it's your baby, your money, and your memories and stories for your baby in the future. Don't let someone's opinion ruin your plans. My baby is the only child I'll ever get to have so her birthdays are very precious. I've had the same opinions thrown my way from both families ("kid won't remember," "too much money," "too much effort for a tot," etc.,), but life is short. They with their larger, older families might realize how truly blessed I am to have this little one and to have them all in our family. Why not throw a big party for my baby for everyone to gather! It's a great time for everyone, and they all go home with great memories, full bellies, and a little gift for later. I'm sure by the time my little girl has a child of her own that the bdays will be even more elaborate than now, but how to celebrate will be her choice. Right now, Sweet Mama, it's your baby, and you know all too well how quickly this time flies by. I hope the MMCH party is a hit! Sounds like you made the right choice (I was considering the same theme for the same reasons). Get your Handy Helpers and call "oh Toodles" and make fantastic memories!

Kathy - posted on 07/25/2011

i don't think you're going overboard. it sounds like a lot of fun. there will ALWAYS be critics for everything. it's your baby, your money, your memories...so don't let those comments your hear determine what makes you all happy. :D

Megan - posted on 07/25/2011

I am thinking of doing her birthday at The Little Gym. We do not have a big enough house or yard for a party. We have 15 kids on the list now not including her daycare friends. I just cannot think of anywhere else to have it where her friends would come. We have no family in there area just friends.

Michelle - posted on 07/24/2011

my daughter will be 2 in sept and she is having a western cowboy/cowgirl party decorations will be pink and brown and western attire is a mmust!...we live on a farm so its suits!...were also planning on pony rides!! A lil overboard but kids deserve it!

Linda - posted on 07/23/2011

I think that's great! My son will also be 2 in Sept., and I'm thinking I will do an Elmo-themed party. I will invite a few friends of mine and about 3 or 4 play date friends. We will do ours in the backyard. I will do a few over the top birthday parties as he gets older - maybe for 5, 10, 13. It depends on what he wants. Don't listen to anyone who might criticize you...so what? It is your son and your family. Nobody else's business!!

Linda - posted on 07/23/2011

I think that's great! My son will also be 2 in Sept., and I'm thinking I will do an Elmo-themed party. I will invite a few friends of mine and about 3 or 4 play date friends. We will do ours in the backyard. I will do a few over the top birthday parties as he gets older - maybe for 5, 10, 13. It depends on what he wants. Don't listen to anyone who might criticize you...so what? It is your son and your family. Nobody else's business!!

Erika - posted on 07/22/2011

I go overboard... I always do no matter the event, it is just the type of person I am. My daughter is turning two in September and I have been planning her party for months! She is the only child and grandchild, and is spoiled by all. Her birthday is a great time to get everyone together and have a good time. We are having her birthday Sept. 17 and that is the last official weekend of the Summer! We are having a sumner/ pink lemonade theme party. I am renting a water bounce house and buying a lot of water toys. My husband is building a lemonade stand and we already have a lot of decorations and still keep buying more. We are having a big BBQ and everyone will go home full and happy. I got mason jars for everyone to drink out of... Last year we had about 60 people and this year looks like it will be just as big. I enjoy planning the party and I love that do many people want to celebrate another year of my precious daughter's life with us!

Donna - posted on 07/20/2011

I personally think that what you are doing is awsome... Not too big but also not too small :) and mickey mouse is awsome lol my son love it too he turns 2 September 1st :) ... im stuck on his birthday right now cause i spend spend spend lol..... Society does make it a big deal unless you yourself make it not a big deal :)

Danielle - posted on 07/20/2011

Most of the people coming to the party will be adults (family members) and THEIR kids...but that means 6-10 kids are coming ranging from a 2m old to a 10 yr old (most are toddlers)...My son LOVES Mickey Mouse so that's why I chose the theme ;)...and ty for the reasurance!

Amanda - posted on 07/19/2011

I think some people can go slightly overboard with parties, especially the first one, which is mainly for the parents, but I can see why people like to make it a big deal.
I don't think a party in the park with mouse ears is going overboard. We had both my kids first parties in the park and decorated with ballons and streamers and they were pretty low key.
My daughter turns 2 on the 14th and we are having a butterfly themed party. She has already asked for a butterfly cake and I am making some butterfly decorations to hang round the house. I have also decided to make my own invites for her, nothing flash, but they will tie in with the theme. We will be having a party at home, still deciding on who we will be inviting and will be having a BBQ lunch for everyone. Depending on which friends of hers we invite will depend on whether I do party games or not.
When my son turned 3 in March he wanted spaceships. I made him a spaceship cake and decorations and had pass the parcel and I made a spaceship version of pin the tail on the donkey, and they all went home with a party bag, the kids loved it. I had 8 kids and a bbq lunch.