Taking Back the Childhood Birthday Party!!!

[curvymommy]

Ok guys, my kid is turning 4 years old next week. I am single handedly taking back the simple and sane birthday party! The parties are getting out of control! I live in a pretty affluent area but at this rate we'll be attending parties at the Space Needle in a couple years.

In the past year I have been to the following kinds of partied for kids turning 3, 4, 5.

~Laser Tag ($10/kid)
~Fishing Hole Party (cost $12/child)
~Bounce House Party (costs $200+)
~Chuck E Cheese ($300 after pizza and tokens)

Those costs are ONLY for the entertainment/location. You still have to buy cake, decorations, party favors, ect.

What ever happened to an at home, sweet party for kids? Anyway, I'm DOING it next week!

I'm gonna make a Texas Sheet cake with gooey frosting, play "pin the mask on the Power Ranger", play games and send them home. Hopefully this will inspire other parents to get off of the "top this" birthday party train.

Any Thoughs?

 

[cindylou]

i had no idea the world of kid's bday parties was like that

 

[curvymommy]

i had no idea the world of kid's bday parties was like that

IT's very competitive. I am formulating a plan to make at home, economical b-day parties cool again. This is insane.

 

[heatherrae]

Ok guys, my kid is turning 4 years old next week. I am single handedly taking back the simple and sane birthday party! The parties are getting out of control! I live in a pretty affluent area but at this rate we'll be attending parties at the Space Needle in a couple years.

In the past year I have been to the following kinds of partied for kids turning 3, 4, 5.

~Laser Tag ($10/kid)
~Fishing Hole Party (cost $12/child)
~Bounce House Party (costs $200+)
~Chuck E Cheese ($300 after pizza and tokens)

Those costs are ONLY for the entertainment/location. You still have to buy cake, decorations, party favors, ect.

What ever happened to an at home, sweet party for kids? Anyway, I'm DOING it next week!

I'm gonna make a Texas Sheet cake with gooey frosting, play "pin the mask on the Power Ranger", play games and send them home. Hopefully this will inspire other parents to get off of the "top this" birthday party train.

Any Thoughs?

I completely AGREE! When I was married, I lived in an affluent golf course community. All the moms were always trying to "one up" each other on the parties. It was ridiculous. I didn't have any babies then, but I would not have done all that nonsense.

Our next door neighbor had to hire a MOVING VAN to deliver all their presents for their 2 kids! Both kids had their own TV screens in their big SUV.

The same neighbor was pissed at me that I wouldn't put a big elaborate Christmas display outside at X-mas. I told her to kiss my fanny...lol.

 

[ceo]

I never had any birfday's like dat.

Birfday's was da worst days,
now we sip champagne when we thirs-tay!

 

[Basic_wonder]

Those seem pretty normal to me, laser tag and paintball were pretty regular birthday events up through middle school ....

 

[vixensghost]

I'm broke giving the lil brats gifts for all these parties too. Since when do 11 year olds require $25 + dollar gift cards for gifts? Yikes. Times are a changin I guess.


Good for you CM. I love the idea. The kids will love it too. They will have MORE fun with your clever party ideas/games too.

Three year old kids have NO concept of all that kinda fancy crap you listed above. I mean really!The parents are the ones who do it to make themselves feel "good".

 

[curvymommy]

I completely AGREE! When I was married, I lived in an affluent golf course community. All the moms were always trying to "one up" each other on the parties. It was ridiculous. I didn't have any babies then, but I would not have done all that nonsense.

Our next door neighbor had to hire a MOVING VAN to deliver all their presents for their 2 kids! Both kids had their own TV screens in their big SUV.

The same neighbor was pissed at me that I wouldn't put a big elaborate Christmas display outside at X-mas. I told her to kiss my fanny...lol.

It IS all the mom's getting competitive. In the end you really are competing with yourself as well. I guess I want to keep my kid's standards low, lol! For real though...if I'm gonna drop $500 for something fun it's not going to be to entertain someone else's kid.

Ya know? I think on the invitation I'll put this, "In lieu of a birthday gift, please bring a new pair of summer jammies for the children of the ____ Mission."

LOL!

 

[curvymommy]

I'm broke giving the lil brats gifts for all these parties too. Since when do 11 year olds require $25 + dollar gift cards for gifts? Yikes. Times are a changin I guess.


Good for you CM. I love the idea. The kids will love it too. They will have MORE fun with your clever party ideas/games too.

Three year old kids have NO concept of all that kinda fancy crap you listed above. I mean really!The parents are the ones who do it to make themselves feel "good".

Don't get me wrong...when my DD turns 10 or 12 and can APPRECIATE it and help plan it, we will rent a limo, rent a hotel room, ect. But for preschoolers...gimme a break. They really don't care!

 

[needtogetaas]

I hired a face painter to come to the house. 50 bucks to do all the kids.

 

[heatherrae]

It IS all the mom's getting competitive. In the end you really are competing with yourself as well. I guess I want to keep my kid's standards low, lol! For real though...if I'm gonna drop $500 for something fun it's not going to be to entertain someone else's kid.

Ya know? I think on the invitation I'll put this, "In lieu of a birthday gift, please bring a new pair of summer jammies for the children of the ____ Mission."

LOL!

that would be a nice thing to do for kids who don't have much and would teach the kids how nice it feels to help out other people. I like that idea!

 

[curvymommy]

I hired a face painter to come to the house. 50 bucks to do all the kids.

Maybe I'll bust out my face paint and stencils on these kids! Great idea! Butterflies for little girls and shooting stars for the lil dudes.

 

[needtogetaas]

Maybe I'll bust out my face paint and stencils on these kids! Great idea! Butterflies for little girls and shooting stars for the lil dudes.

sounds cool. kids love that shit.

 

[curvymommy]

that would be a nice thing to do for kids who don't have much and would teach the kids how nice it feels to help out other people. I like that idea!

Thank you HR. I ain't raisin' no brats here. The grandparents/uncles spoil them enough.

 

[bigmann245]

we do simple things for our sons birthday parties. one year we had 2 jumpy blow ups but only because a good friend of mine owned the business and only charged me $75 for both but usually we do whatever our son wants and surprisingly he keeps it simple. last year was a bowling party. ended up costing more than we would have liked so this year we may do it at home.

 

[needtogetaas]

sounds cool. kids love that shit.

 

[curvymommy]

OMgawsh!!! Too cute! I am gonna do something like that. Her smile says it all! Thanks for sharing that pic.

 

[Delinquent]

IT's very competitive. I am formulating a plan to make at home, economical b-day parties cool again. This is insane.

my daughter's first birthday last week was just as you say, quaint with a little ribbon and decorations and that's how it will stay. We have a pool so we'll always have something more than just the decorations but I will never "compete" with other parents or ever get in to that ridiculous state of mind

 

[curvymommy]

we do simple things for our sons birthday parties. one year we had 2 jumpy blow ups but only because a good friend of mine owned the business and only charged me $75 for both but usually we do whatever our son wants and surprisingly he keeps it simple. last year was a bowling party. ended up costing more than we would have liked so this year we may do it at home.

We love those jumpy blow up things too! We have been to parties with those and the kids have an absolute in those things. The only thing I hate is the exhaust from the generator. Besides that I love them because you can have it at your own house.

Somthing about home, memories linger longer I think. Ya know?

 

[Delinquent]

We love those jumpy blow up things too! We have been to parties with those and the kids have an absolute in those things. The only thing I hate is the exhaust from the generator. Besides that I love them because you can have it at your own house.

Somthing about home, memories linger longer I think. Ya know?

Did you know that you can buy a 8' x 8' blow up things for like $500? It's only for smaller kids but it would more than pay for it self instead of renting one.

This is of course assuming you are renting them

 

[vixensghost]

Don't get me wrong...when my DD turns 10 or 12 and can APPRECIATE it and help plan it, we will rent a limo, rent a hotel room, ect. But for preschoolers...gimme a break. They really don't care!

Younger kids really do not care one bit. As long as you provide them with fun games, cake and ice-cream- YOU'LL be a HERO in their eyes.


*You need to get some face painting for them to do. That should be a real blast for them too. I'd prolly get some of hubbies old shirts for them to wear. Can you see them painting one another- They'll love it!

*You mentioned the candy filled pinata(sp) right? Total kid fun right there- missing teeth from the bat is the downside-lol. No, the pinata is a must IMO.

*Pick up some McDonalds free ice -cream coupons( or DQ) for lil prizes.

These kids will love you. Nothing says love more than a fun loving mom.

Happy Easter CM.

 

[heatherrae]

I had a friend who had a rental place for party stuff and also sent out entertainers. They needed a substitute for the pink power ranger, so I filled in for them. I've never had my shins kicked so much! OUCH!

 

[Smurfy]

Ok guys, my kid is turning 4 years old next week. I am single handedly taking back the simple and sane birthday party! The parties are getting out of control! I live in a pretty affluent area but at this rate we'll be attending parties at the Space Needle in a couple years.

In the past year I have been to the following kinds of partied for kids turning 3, 4, 5.

~Laser Tag ($10/kid)
~Fishing Hole Party (cost $12/child)
~Bounce House Party (costs $200+)
~Chuck E Cheese ($300 after pizza and tokens)

Those costs are ONLY for the entertainment/location. You still have to buy cake, decorations, party favors, ect.

What ever happened to an at home, sweet party for kids? Anyway, I'm DOING it next week!

I'm gonna make a Texas Sheet cake with gooey frosting, play "pin the mask on the Power Ranger", play games and send them home. Hopefully this will inspire other parents to get off of the "top this" birthday party train.

Any Thoughs?

I fuckkin love you for this.
The other thing I refuse to buy are those god awful GIFT BAGS to give away to the party goers. Why am i sending THEM home with gifts/goodies???? That's not rational!

 

[curvymommy]

Younger kids really do not care one bit. As long as you provide them with fun games, cake and ice-cream- YOU'LL be a HERO in their eyes.


*You need to get some face painting for them to do. That should be a real blast for them too. I'd prolly get some of hubbies old shirts for them to wear. Can you see them painting one another- They'll love it!

*You mentioned the candy filled pinata(sp) right? Total kid fun right there- missing teeth from the bat is the downside-lol. No, the pinata is a must IMO.

*Pick up some McDonalds free ice -cream coupons( or DQ) for lil prizes.

These kids will love you. Nothing says love more than a fun loving mom.

Happy Easter CM.

GREAT ideas. Thanks so much. Wow, EF is the only site I'll ever need for parenting, lol. We've got all the bases covered. I'll update with pics after the party!

 

[heatherrae]

I fuckkin love you for this.
The other thing I refuse to buy are those god awful GIFT BAGS to give away to the party goers. Why am i sending THEM home with gifts/goodies???? That's not rational!

I'll tell you why. They want the other mommies to KNOW that they spent bank on the party...lol.

 

[calveless wonder]

i bet your kid is gonna be a pimp

half asian/half white

 

[Smurfy]

I'll tell you why. They want the other mommies to KNOW that they spent bank on the party...lol.

fuk that. i dont even socialize with those other mommies

 

[TimesGold]

Yea, for Halloween we had a huge party, didn't spend over $500. We have a trampoline at my moms, I did the face painting (following instructions from online sites of course), lots of games with prizes. My favorite game was tacking a bunch of balloons to a cork board and letting them throw darts at them. We gave out a handful of candy to the winners. A pinata, sack racing, and pin the tail on the donkey are favorites. As long as you have games, you can get away with anything!

 

[Gymgurl]

My kids get parties with family and that is it. I refuse to buy into that crap!

 

[curvymommy]

i bet your kid is gonna be a pimp

half asian/half white

LMAO!!!

He is a little Pimp, lol. He has several girlfriends (he says) inluding his sister.

 

[calveless wonder]

LMAO!!!

He is a little Pimp, lol. He has several girlfriends (he says) inluding his sister.

aw...he has a close resemblance to my nephew.

my nephew is a quarter cuban, quarter japanese, half irish(i think..).

 

[curvymommy]

I fuckkin love you for this.
The other thing I refuse to buy are those god awful GIFT BAGS to give away to the party goers. Why am i sending THEM home with gifts/goodies???? That's not rational!

THAT's what I'm screaming!!! I'm a pretty good trend setter in my little circle of friends, so let's see if this revolutionizes things around the neighborhood.

 

[curvymommy]

aw...he has a close resemblance to my nephew.

my nephew is a quarter cuban, quarter japanese, half irish(i think..).

Wow, what a combo!

Yep, we call them our little Rice Crackers. Chinese rice and Redneck crackers. We rock the melting pot!

When is ya'll's baby due?

 

[calveless wonder]

Wow, what a combo!

Yep, we call them our little Rice Crackers. Chinese rice and Redneck crackers. We rock the melting pot!

When is ya'll's baby due?

baby

don't scare me like that!!!!!!!!

 

[curvymommy]

baby

don't scare me like that!!!!!!!!

LMAO!!! SO, so SORRY!!!

CEO's woman is knocked up. shoot my bad, lololol!

 

[ceo]

LMAO!!! SO, so SORRY!!!

CEO's woman is knocked up. shoot my bad, lololol!

due in June. Wifey's convinced she's the biggest pregnant woman ever, and that the kid's gonna be like 10 lbs.

 

[silverstar1025]

Every year we do a bounce around in the backyard and a pinata. I did let my daughter do a skating party last year for her birthday, but it cost $150 and it included food and drinks so not so bad. I would have paid that much in food and I didn't have to clean the mess

 

[all the whey]

I never had any birfday's like dat.

Birfday's was da worst days,
now we sip champagne when we thirs-tay!

That's how Brians roll!!!!1

 

[silverstar1025]

That's how Brians roll!!!!1

lol!!!nice truck

 

[all the whey]

lol!!!nice truck

Just trying to keep up with the Brians.

 

[javaguru]

Just trying to keep up with the Brians.

Shit maing...my b-day parties were sheet cakes and a sleepover with my friends while we played Atari and watched Big Chuck and Little John.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Chuck_and_Little_John

"Big Chuck and Lil' John (aka Charles "Big Chuck" Schodowski and "Lil' John" Rinaldi) were late-night hosts on television station WJW in Cleveland, Ohio, United States from 1979 to 2007. In addition to hosting a movie with a live audience, they also performed original sketch comedy routines. At the end of each sketch is a very distinctive laugh that was voiced by Jay Lawrence.

Schodowski had been a long-time friend of Ernie Anderson, and had worked closely with him on the Ghoulardi show. Schodowski had been instrumental in bringing in the blend of blues and polka music that helped define Ghoulardi's show. He added comic audio drop-ins to enliven the often awful movies, and immortalized The Rivingtons' tune "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" by marrying it to the image of an old man "gurning".

When Anderson left Cleveland for California in 1966, his popular Ghoulardi character was retired, and a talent search ensued to find a replacement. Schodowski agreed to help Bob Wells (WJW's "Hoolihan the Weatherman") with his audition, and the management decided they liked the way the two performed together. They became co-hosts of the Hoolihan & Big Chuck Show.

After Wells left the show in 1979, 4 foot-3 inch (1.3 meter) jeweler Rinaldi, a regular performer on the show, took over as co-host on the renamed Big Chuck & Lil' John Show.

For many years, the show aired at 11:30 p.m. on Friday nights before moving to 12:00 a.m. on Saturday nights in 1993, then back to Fridays following WJW's affiliation switch to Fox before ultimately going back to Saturdays following Mad TV. Its final time slot was at 12:30 a.m. Saturday nights/Sunday mornings, along with a companion Couch Potato Theatre airing at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning (the latter either a movie showing or an all-skits hour show).

On December 2006, Charles Schodowski announced his retirement from the show in June 2007. As part of his farewell, WJW broadcasted the hour-long retrospective Big Chuck and Lil' John: The End of an Era.[1] This also marked the end of the Big Chuck & Lil' John Show, with the last regular episode being broadcast in the afternoon of June 16, 2007 and again in the early morning of June 17."

 

[rubberneck]

GREAT ideas. Thanks so much. Wow, EF is the only site I'll ever need for parenting, lol. We've got all the bases covered. I'll update with pics after the party!

you would have to give to coupons out to the kids, can't keep them for yourself!

just sayin

lol

 

[Lumberg]

I told her to kiss my fanny...lol.

See this is why I never believe women. That's only in porn.

 

[Lumberg]

We love those jumpy blow up things too! We have been to parties with those and the kids have an absolute in those things. The only thing I hate is the exhaust from the generator.

WTF? The kids are inside jumping around, getting drunk on vodka, and you're worried about exhaust fumes?

j/k just noticing it would be funny to interpret it that way.

 

[Lumberg]

Shit maing...my b-day parties were sheet cakes and a sleepover with my friends while we played Atari and watched Big Chuck and Little John.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Chuck_and_Little_John

"Big Chuck and Lil' John (aka Charles "Big Chuck" Schodowski and "Lil' John" Rinaldi) were late-night hosts on television station WJW in Cleveland, Ohio, United States from 1979 to 2007. In addition to hosting a movie with a live audience, they also performed original sketch comedy routines. At the end of each sketch is a very distinctive laugh that was voiced by Jay Lawrence.

Schodowski had been a long-time friend of Ernie Anderson, and had worked closely with him on the Ghoulardi show. Schodowski had been instrumental in bringing in the blend of blues and polka music that helped define Ghoulardi's show. He added comic audio drop-ins to enliven the often awful movies, and immortalized The Rivingtons' tune "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" by marrying it to the image of an old man "gurning".

When Anderson left Cleveland for California in 1966, his popular Ghoulardi character was retired, and a talent search ensued to find a replacement. Schodowski agreed to help Bob Wells (WJW's "Hoolihan the Weatherman") with his audition, and the management decided they liked the way the two performed together. They became co-hosts of the Hoolihan & Big Chuck Show.

After Wells left the show in 1979, 4 foot-3 inch (1.3 meter) jeweler Rinaldi, a regular performer on the show, took over as co-host on the renamed Big Chuck & Lil' John Show.

For many years, the show aired at 11:30 p.m. on Friday nights before moving to 12:00 a.m. on Saturday nights in 1993, then back to Fridays following WJW's affiliation switch to Fox before ultimately going back to Saturdays following Mad TV. Its final time slot was at 12:30 a.m. Saturday nights/Sunday mornings, along with a companion Couch Potato Theatre airing at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning (the latter either a movie showing or an all-skits hour show).

On December 2006, Charles Schodowski announced his retirement from the show in June 2007. As part of his farewell, WJW broadcasted the hour-long retrospective Big Chuck and Lil' John: The End of an Era.[1] This also marked the end of the Big Chuck & Lil' John Show, with the last regular episode being broadcast in the afternoon of June 16, 2007 and again in the early morning of June 17."

That sounds so cool. Like every once in a while, in this world of ego and greed and whatnot, events conspire to bring something genuinely fun and good into this world.

Ahh fuck it they were probably whoremongering alcoholics that make Krusty the Clown look like the Pope but at least some kids got a laugh.

 

[heatherrae]

due in June. Wifey's convinced she's the biggest pregnant woman ever, and that the kid's gonna be like 10 lbs.

I thought the same thing. Baby was only 7lbs 3 oz. It was just me that was big...lol.

 

[Big Rick Rock]

Ok guys, my kid is turning 4 years old next week. I am single handedly taking back the simple and sane birthday party! The parties are getting out of control! I live in a pretty affluent area but at this rate we'll be attending parties at the Space Needle in a couple years.

In the past year I have been to the following kinds of partied for kids turning 3, 4, 5.

~Laser Tag ($10/kid)
~Fishing Hole Party (cost $12/child)
~Bounce House Party (costs $200+)
~Chuck E Cheese ($300 after pizza and tokens)

Those costs are ONLY for the entertainment/location. You still have to buy cake, decorations, party favors, ect.

What ever happened to an at home, sweet party for kids? Anyway, I'm DOING it next week!

I'm gonna make a Texas Sheet cake with gooey frosting, play "pin the mask on the Power Ranger", play games and send them home. Hopefully this will inspire other parents to get off of the "top this" birthday party train.

Any Thoughs?

If you can afford it, you should give him a party the same as the rest of his friends. If you don't want to, then just take him on a trip instead.

 

[curvymommy]

If you can afford it, you should give him a party the same as the rest of his friends. If you don't want to, then just take him on a trip instead.

He's turning 4 not 8. The kiddos really don't care as long as they have fun.

I can totally see where you are going with this! I understand what you are saying. This is our kid's first EVER birthday party. Every year we do take them on a trip instead to my mom and dad's house across the state. They love it everytime.


MY husband was an immigrant to this country and his family went from zero to millionaires in the past 20 years with nothing but sweat, blood and tears. His dad FORCED English only in the home and my DH and no accent. It's really inspiring to be a part of thier family. At the same time, they have taught us to be frugal. BUT, my husband was a dork and made fun of growing up because he had a knock off Levi jacket and fake Nikes, lol.

 

[all the whey]

He's turning 4 not 8. The kiddos really don't care as long as they have fun.

I can totally see where you are going with this! I understand what you are saying. This is our kid's first EVER birthday party. Every year we do take them on a trip instead to my mom and dad's house across the state. They love it everytime.


MY husband was an immigrant to this country and his family went from zero to millionaires in the past 20 years with nothing but sweat, blood and tears. His dad FORCED English only in the home and my DH and no accent. It's really inspiring to be a part of thier family. At the same time, they have taught us to be frugal. BUT, my husband was a dork and made fun of growing up because he had a knock off Levi jacket and fake Nikes, lol.

That's right. Kids don't care how much you spend as long as they have fun. (I think that is why I like kids better than you women.loll)

Ha. I did he have "members only" jacket knock off from Kmart? I still remember getting shit for that.lol

Dumb question. When is your next HS reunion?

 

[curvymommy]

That's right. Kids don't care how much you spend as long as they have fun. (I think that is why I like kids better than you women.loll)

Ha. I did he have "members only" jacket knock off from Kmart? I still remember getting shit for that.lol

Dumb question. When is your next HS reunion?

Yeah, he had all the knock off crap. That's why my kids always look classy and they never will be forced to be dorks b/c of finances.

By the time he was in HS, he was already big man on campus but more because of athletics and not because of cool clothes. By the time I hooked up with him in college most of his dorkiness was a thing of the past, lol.