Outrageously Extravagant Birthday Parties for Children
Sometimes you've got to wonder at what point a kiddie party becomes more about the parents than it does about the kids. I'm sure they all love their children dearly and have the best of intentions, but kids can only appreciate so much when it comes to extravagance and money spent. Birthday parties have become the new way for parents to both shower their children with love and impress the competition,*ahem*, neighbors, at the same time. Gone are the days of balloons and cake in the backyard, replaced instead with renting entire clubs and candy stores while serving dinner on fine china. These days some people are spending upwards of $30000, $40000, and even $50,000+ on their children's birthday parties.
Ridiculous, or simple displays of affection from those who can afford it? You decide, I'm too jealous.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Loretta Jun 26th 2007 8:20AM
There is nothing too small or too extravagant for MY child, When it was my daughters Sweet 16, and also her Debutante we made an effort to give her the best two parties, ever, the Sweet Sixteen cost us about 40,000 and the Debutante about 100,000.00 we have it so anything is good for our 6 children they are ALL Girls!! I believe if people who want to take care of their kids its their thing no one elses.. and for those of you who say nasty comments to us, Mind your own buisness, if you got it spend it you can not take it up with you to the heaven in the sky and no ones going to abuse it, unless i see it first.
I believe that our children are not abusing anything and they work hard for everything they got, we give them chores and they get paid, they work long hours during the summer and on weekends. One of my kids is working towards a hybrid car she does not want it for nothing she wants to work for it, its the best advice i can give them. I feel that if the family wants to buy their kids expensive gifts its up to that family no one else.
D Jun 20th 2007 8:29AM
And people wonder what happened to our children, how they got so spoiled & out of control.... Put parenting responsibility on THE PARENTS!! We are NOT their friends!! We are there to care for & discipline them until they move out of the house. Shows like My Super Sweet 16 don't help, it only glorifies the ridiculous. Since when do parents care more about what their neighbors think than giving their children love & guidance ?? I HATE society the way it is right now!! My 4 year old will grow up thinking I'm a dictator, 'cause this is NOT me.
tammy Jun 20th 2007 8:57AM
kids are satisfied with simple party with cake and drink at park i know mine are.
tammy Jun 20th 2007 8:56AM
keep parties simple cake and drinks at a park is nice with there friends. holidays are getting ridicalous
SERENA Jun 20th 2007 9:03AM
YES, ITS TRUE, I DO PRINCESS PARTIES IN RHODE ISLAND AND PARTS OF MA AND CT. ALOT OF PARENTS WILL PAY AND DO ANYTHING TO GIVE THEIR KIDS THE BEST BIRTHDAY PARTYS BUT ALOT CAN AFFORD TO WHILE OTHERS CANT BUT THEY DO IT ANYWAYS? WWW.THEMEDPRINCESSPARTIES.COM
Missy Jun 20th 2007 9:11AM
It is obviously for the adults...how many birthday parties do YOU remember from ages 1 to 5 or 6???
max Jun 20th 2007 9:19AM
My goodness! Does it really matter how elaborate the birthday party is? What my teenagers remember about their younger birthdays is that their family and best friends were there. I always had a cake based on something they like at the time. Most of these took place in the backyard or in the house where the kids were most comfortable anyway.
Sandy Jun 20th 2007 9:21AM
I think kids parties these days are getting out of control...
Thats why kids these days are very spoiled cause parents just go all out just for a birthday party.
Even if you don't have that kind of money you go and make a loan on the house just for your kids party I really think is stupid!.. Just keep it nice and simple at home cake and ice cream with freinds and family..
Christine Jun 20th 2007 9:26AM
Wow. I'm glad my kids have not been invited to one of these over the top birthday parties. I mean, what kind of gift do you have to give? Is a $20 Walmart gift card going to pale in comparison to the i-pod that may be in the goodie bag? Give 'em a round of putt-putt golf and a slurpie and call it a great birthday.
Bob Jun 20th 2007 11:01AM
The best parties are at the 13,000 square foot Gymnastics Unlimited facility in Wilmington NC with a 60 foot long tumble trak, large inground foam pit, inground trampoline, obstacle course, parachute games and more for only $130. Paper products and drinks are provided. You only bring the cake. Great for ages 2-12
Dolly Jun 20th 2007 9:51AM
These so-called parents are trying to buy their kids praise and affection. The best parties my kids remember were the ones in the back yard with all their friends. I guess if the kids pout and whine enough the dumb parents give in to their demands. So sad....
nathan Jun 20th 2007 9:50AM
Now I know why americans are hated all over the world
excess, arrogant and show-off's. I could go on and on
and it just spells JONESES.
This explains the type of kid's we are raising
I watch American kid's in Europe and I am embarrased that I am from this country.
Go and observe their kid's overthere, not perfect BUT
20 times more well behaved than most of ours. Our
selfish way's are brutish.
jesse Jun 20th 2007 9:57AM
And we wonder why so many kids are spoiled, lazy, rude, and unforunatly, fat. If we keep handing the kids everything on a silver platter, they will NEVER learn how to make it on thier own, and they will not appreciate what they do have as much as if they would had they earned it! I know of a woman who gives her kid $100.00 for every A her kid gets, yet her phone, lights, and water are constantly getting shut off! I let my kids know that yes, they will get a small treat for A's ( thankfully, I would go broke at $100.00 per A), but I WILL NOT pay them for something they should already be doing! I think alot of parents give gifts because it is so much harder to give time than money! Your kids will not respect you, my sis gives her kids all kinds of things, but is not involved with school, interests, or does not even check on them when friends are over to the house, as a result of this, her kids have no respect for her. When I took my kids privilages away because of trouble he got in ( and refused to buy him anything "fun", or let him leave the house for 3mnths.), his friends were actually jealous, the comments he got were, "at least your parents give a shit"; that means more to him than anything we could buy him!!!
Jamie Jun 20th 2007 11:47AM
I think if you can give your kids something, then do it. I have spoiled my daughter every minute of her life and still I get complimented on her behavior from friends, family, teachers, and strangers. She never throws fits, always giving and sharing. She understands that we work hard to give her these things. Just because her parties are not in the backyard does not make her spoiled! It is how you teach your child that counts!
mindy Jun 20th 2007 10:04AM
there is no need for partys to be so expensive my parties have elaborate thems like my son had a pirate backyardigan party but the games and activities we did are all handmade like walk the plank walk(cake walk) where the winners all received handmade cupcakes. bobbing for barnicles(apples) all prises were duplicate happy meal toys as i ahve 3 kids not to mention yardsales have these allt he time for like a dime. and the goody bag was a paper bad that said pirate loot. you can get creative without breaking the bank my kids parties including cake and gift usually runs around 150.we alwasy have the parties at home or local parks which is free. or we sometimes rent the local rec department which is 50 bucks for 4 hours. my point is you can have a great party but it takes lots of preperation and planning. some parents dont want to do it their selves thats where money comes to play. as for thems i buy one themed pack of party supplies go to the just a dollar store and cordinate colors. and one more suggestion have the party between 2-5 then you dont have to supply a meal just brownies and chips and cookies. every one goes home happy and the party is a success.oh yeah and i have never bought a store made cake make it yourself you and your child will appreciate it more.our next party for my son is going to be olympic based where we split into teams and do sack races 3 legged race tug of war cheap and fun. bust a pinata too the biggest expense willt he the olympis themed jumping pit which cost 100 dollars for 24 hours. total cost with jumper/gift/prises and cake maybe 200 bucks.need party ideas im full of theme email me minjnk@aol.com
michelle Jun 20th 2007 10:13AM
i agree, i think this is ridiculous. my family, i'm talking generations, we've always struggled and if we manage to come out ahead a little bit then we know to be careful because we know what it's like to be on the other side. for any of us to spend $500+ is ridiculous. that money could be better spent on other things. My cousin however has decided that she thinks it's appropriate because it's her first daughter to spend over $4000 on her daughter's 1st birthday. i don't get it, her whole intention is to spoil her, but i think that can be done on a much smaller scale. my cousin is all about competition, and trying to prove, she better and her kids will have better than anyone else, even to family. i'm sure though, that if she could spend 50,000 shewould drop that cash in a heartbeat, just to prove that she can.
Patricia Jun 20th 2007 1:03PM
I have a simple question every parent should ask themselves "If I had no money, how would I make my child feel special, happy and loved 0n their Birthday?" when you figure out an answer, why not try that on your childs next Birthday, instead of blowing bucks galore? You may be surprised...unless the child is already spoiled, of course.
Ryan Jun 20th 2007 10:32AM
You think this is bad, just look at the show "My Super Sweet 16" on MTV! That show is all about spoiled 16 year old brats getting birthday bashes that cost over $100,000 and usually come with a major singer like 50 Cent or Missy Elliot. No wonder kids are so spoiled and self-involved. We are teaching them that money and only money (and tons of it) are the only thing in life that matter.
Christy Jun 20th 2007 10:34AM
I have been a single parent since I was pregnant with my second daughter. Suffice to say, I've been single quite awhile! As many of you single parents know (and 2 parent families as well!), it is a struggle just to keep gas in the car these days! I never could be excessive with my daughters birthdays. For a long time, I felt guilt over that. I have an older sister who is wealthy, and her children's parties are always over-the-top affairs. It was hard seeing the extravagance that went into her parties, then seeing my (puny) celebrations that paled in comparison. However, now that my daughters are older (18,16), they look back on their celebrations with fondness and only happy memories. Why? Because there was no pressure to impress anyone-the celebrations were just pure fun,and the birthday kid was always the center of attention for the day-which kids love to be!!!So, all of you parents are so right:it's the attention and LOVE...NOT the money involved!!!
anonymous Jun 20th 2007 10:50AM
Okay well first off i am going to let you guys know that im a teenager replying to this article. I too completely agree that this is absolutely ridiculous! The best birhdays I've had were always the ones at home that were just simple birthday parties with friends! Besides when you spoil a kid with parties like that they'll only find a way to complain about how one thing isn't absolutely perfect and they'll make that one little thing ruin teir whole borthday. On the show Super Sweet Sixteen its absolutely ridiculous! They're always complaining about little details. I mean there are some kids who make their parents take them to paris to so they can buy a dress there! A lot of the time they dont even end up buying a dress! I think that is just absolutely ridiculous.