Are birthday parties for kids out of control?

Posted in Birthday stuff
by Alicia Castelli

Pretty much all the parents I talk to agree that birthday parties are getting way to exensive. They complain about the influx of toys (does anyone have a child who doesn’t have enough toys?) and the exhaustion that sets in once the whole thing is over. They complain about the noise and the work involved. I’ve had these conversations and I’ve tried to reverse the trend in my own family. I limit the cost of gifts and the number of gifts, I make gifts optional if we do have a party, and I ask family members to bring food items to help defray the costs, or I schedule it for the middle of the day and make it clear the only food is cake and ice cream. I’ve suggested a “bring a donation for such-and-such group or charity” to my oldest child. It was not a well-loved suggestion.

What do you think? Are we getting way out of control with birthday parties? Are parties even needed for infants, toddlers, and pre school aged children who won’t remember it anyway? Do you feel pressured to throw a party equal to one your child has attended? Check out www.birthdayswithoutpressure.com for some suggestions.