Claire went to a swimming birthday party at the YMCA this past Saturday. It was her first party and I was completely overwhelmed by it all. She came home with a goodie-bag that must have cost the parents at least $10. She talked excitedly about the cupcakes, juice boxes, and all the wonderful Hanna Montana birthday decorations (why does Claire know about Hanna Montana?). And all of this birthday pomp is on top of the pool rental fee and party room fee.
I can understand that parties are fun, but why the YMCA? Why Hanna Montana? Why 12 new toys (TWELVE NEW TOYS!!! What parent wants to pick up 12 more toys?) for the birthday girl? Why designer goodie-bags which included personalized beaded necklaces? Claire and her kindergarten friends would be just as impressed with a modest picnic in the park or at home.
Claire asked me if she could have a birthday party when she turns six. Yikes.
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Erin-Go-Blog
The life and ramblings of a mother trapped in a house with small children.
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2 comments:
I SO agree with you. My personal beef is with the "goodie bags." Isn't the party itself occasion enough without gifting the non-birthday children? Will they grow up thinking they deserve a present whenever anyone else gets one? Plus, they are usually just silly trinkets that are junked within hours (or spread all over your house). Commercialism! Materialism! Ok...maybe overreacting a bit. :)
-JNette
Jeanette is NOT overreacting!
Erin, you can be the one to set the new standard for birthday parties. You can be the one brave enough to give kids the kind of party they actually should have -- the picnic at the public playground. No ponies. No goodie bags. Decorations consisting of $2 worth of balloons.
But what to do about the gifts? Our kids have been to some parties where the "cheap" gifts are $15-20. Around here, birthday presents are usually something more on the order of a candy bar or some socks. For the recently begun birthday season, so far not one child has gotten a present. And you know what? They've survived just fine.
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