Outrageously Extravagant Birthday Parties for Children

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed)
Jun 4th 2007 at 6:30PM

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.

Tags: b-day, bday, birthday, birthdays, cake, child, children, chilren's, extravagant, kid, kids, money, parties, party, spending

Filed under: Events

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)

Jenn Jun 20th 2007 10:55AM

It isn't a matter of wealther the parents are wealthy or not, it's a matter of over-indulging a child because of the need to show off. My husband and I make a nice living, yet we never throw anything like these lavish parties....even for ourselves! Five or six kids in the back yard, a couple of games and a cake is all you need to make a memorable birthday for a child. Anything else just demonstrates that you are simply wasteful and shallow.

carrie Jun 20th 2007 10:02PM

I see this phenomenon and it is so disappointing. A good friend of mine has gotten sucked into this "status-searching-style" and really cannot afford it. She threw the "bash" for her 3 year old - to the tune of 100 people who all brought gifts. It was a catered affair. Their daughter, after opening about 5 gifts said she was too tired to open any more gifts. She ended up flopped on the couch exhausted while the rest partied in her honor. I think it is reckless indulgence - as well as ignorant about money matters and saving for a child's future. Not to mention, my friend and her husband are still paying off heavy college debt.

Sam Jun 20th 2007 11:05AM

These really are ridiculous. I'm 17 and have only had maybe a handful of birthday parties that I remember, one for my 16th birthday, and a few when I was little. They were very simple and included my friends and family. They weren't some $50,000 feast, nor were they intended to make anyone jealous. The years that I didn't have a party, my parents and I went to dinner together and simply enjoyed one another's company. I wasn't (and am still not) spoiled like some of the children today whose parents think it's necessary "for the child's self-esteem". It doesn't matter, folks! My parents love me and respect me, and I am much obliged to keep the feelings mutual. I love my parents; they're good ones. They've taught me not only to believe in myself, but also how to be happy in whatever circumstance I'm in, including being broke (haha). Other kids my age sometimes don't see it that way. All they care about is themselves and are willing to make anyone miserable in order to get what they want. It's childish and silly. What are they going to do when they grow up and find out that the world does NOT in fact revolve around them? And the children starting this early...oh, I cringe when I think about the callous and conceited adults they will become in the future.

jillfrankespo Jun 20th 2007 11:05AM

We were just at 2 parties Saturday. One was a backyard party (they have a simple above-ground pool & swingset). There were no organized activities, just a bbq, cake & ice cream. We & the kids had a ball and I don't think it could have cost more than $100-$150. The 2nd party was at an organized party place, very popular in our area, called Pump it Up. It must have cost my sister-in-law about $700 or more for about 30 kids and some parents with jump on slides, etc. pizza, and cake. This is nothing compared with the ones you are talking about, but probably comparable with the spending vs. income. Simple is better. It is just supposed to be a celebration with friends and family. I agree it is so sad the way we spoil our kids (read what Jamie Lee Curtis wrote about the whole Paris Hilton, et.al. situation - she has it spot on).

Ivanna Jun 20th 2007 11:13AM

Ah, the very reason for the wonderful narcissistic society we're living in!
And thanks to the "anonymous" teen that posted their thoughts, kudos to you and your parents!

Brooklynn Jun 20th 2007 11:19AM

That's just DUMB! Instead of wasting over 20,00 bucks on a princess themed party, go to Party City and buy some princess related stuff for under $200!!! A simple cake and ice-cream party will do the trick, too.

Ari's Mom Jun 20th 2007 11:21AM

Wow, and I thought our spending $55 on a cake, mostly to help show off a friends girlfriend, was a little over the top! I heard a comedian once say that our kids would rather have 100 $1 toys from the dollar store, but we get them 1 $100 dollar thing. I was raised to know the difference between want and need and that's not happening anymore. Bring on the BBQ!

Debbie Jun 20th 2007 11:24AM

Seriously, all kids want is CAKE !

Elsie Jun 20th 2007 11:40AM

My family always attends every birthday party invitation we receive,(I have 4 children, the eldest being 14,thus we have had plenty of invitations) with the exception of two we missed - one due to illness, the other a schedule conflict with a pre planned vacation. Though I agree that expensive extravagent b-parties are ridiculous, so are those that are too simple. Recently, my 6 year old went to a party at a local park. I remained at the two hour party with my child as it was obvious that the host wasn't paying a bit of attention to her guests. She served a small slice of cake and a huggie and that was it. Thank you very much for the $20 gift -- goodbye! My partie are usually at home parties as we are fortunate to have a pool, but I always have games and prizes and treat bags so that the attendee leaves with as much as they came with.

DOVE Jun 20th 2007 11:35AM

WHEN WILL RICH PEOPLE COME TO CARE ABOUT POOR PEOPLE AND STOP WASTING THEIR MONEY. CHILDREN, JUST WANT LOVE, TIME SPENT WITH THEM, AND OF COURSE SOME GIFTS, FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY. A BIRTHDAY PARTY CAN BE GIVEN FOR VERY LITTLE MONEY. IT IS THE ATTENTION AND LOVE THE CHILD NEEDS. I THINK SOME OF THE RICH PARENTS DO THIS OUT OF GUILT, BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO BUSY TO SPENT TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN. OR THEY WANT TO SHOW OFF FOR THEIR RICH FRIENDS. THAT IS SICK. THEY COULD GET THEIR CHILDREN SOME REASONABLE GIFTS AND SEND MONEY FOR POOR CHILDREN, IN THEIR CHILDS NAME. THEN TAKE THE TIME TO EXPLAIN TO THE BIRTHDAY CHILD, THAT PART OF THEIR GIFT WENT TO FEED THE POOR CHILDREN IN THE WORLD. CHILDREN THAT ARE OLD ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND I THINK WOULD BE HAPPY AND VERY PROUD.

hartbreakerr Jun 20th 2007 11:44AM

Wow! And I thought $150 party at Discovery Zone was outrageous!

catguy Jun 20th 2007 11:46AM

Hi Folks!

I grew up in the Fifties and Sixties..... Dad was a postman and Mom was a secretary..... We all had birthday parties with all the friends we wanted .... and no presents from the kids because some could not afford to give them ..... and who cares anyway..... we did not .... laughing, playing games, getting dirty and exhausted was the order of the day.... SIMPLE FUN! .... and guess what .... we did the same for our kids in the not too distant past AND IT WORKED..... to the relief of several mommies and dads wh confided that they HATED the huge productions some would put on.... It is not a Coronation ........

Chipster Jun 20th 2007 11:47AM

I think this is absolutely wonderful that parents go to such great lengths to show their kids how special they are. Other people are just jealous because they can't afford to show their own kids such an incredible affair. Go borrow the money and give your kid a party they will remember the rest of their life!!!

Tonya Jun 20th 2007 12:07PM

I resent the fact that many of you are calling parents "dumb" for spending alot of money on their children's birthday parties. My husband and I go all out every year for our three children's birthday parties. Yes, my children may be spoiled, but they are not rude, lazy or fat..... You get what you can afford, and if some people can afford to give their children elaborate parties, than so be it. No one has the right to put down my children or my parenting because we can afford to have extra luxuries for our children. My children are very respectful and appreciative of everything we give them.

Christine Jun 20th 2007 12:42PM

Who is worth impressing for that kind of money? The kids would no doubt be just as happy with a box cake from the store and a few homemade party favors. The parents must have total lack of self esteem and no values at all to waste money like that over "looking rich". And spending money like that perhaps they won't stay rich all that long. If people can't like and respect you for being just who you are, then it's a very sad thing.

robert Jun 20th 2007 1:03PM

look at this from a different perspective: you own the candy store! One event will probably cover your entire payroll for a year. These kids will become spoiled regardless of the parties.I'm all for anything that results in wealth trickling down to me.

Suzy Jun 20th 2007 1:04PM

I have been on both ends of these kinds of parties. We used to have simle parties in a park, backyard, house, basement, or McDonald's. They went fine, no problems, kids seem to enjoy them. Then, after moving up in life (no-not $50,000 parties, but maybe $2,000), we did the themed parties at home with magicians, horse rides or had it at a fancy restaurant, followed by tickets to amusement parks, followed by cake/ice cream at home, with the opening of presents. And what do my grown kids remember: The middle of the road ones: where something cool took place (the magician was cool), it took place in our own home or yard, and a cool cake (at the local market), and opening normal presents from the kids that attended-not the whole family, friends, classmates, neighbors affair. So, it wasn't the cheap parties or the fancy parties, but the basic, middle ground parties they remember as adults. But-to each his own-most kids don't remember parties anyways, they all run together, especially if they have one every year. I think people should celebrate the milestone birthdays with a party, and leave the rest for just the immediate family-with grandparents involved if they want to be. (You would not believe how many g/parents do not want to come to every single party for every single g/kid-it exhausts them)The milestones of 1, 5, 10, 13, 16 and 18 ought to do it, and I wish I had stuck to this. Maybe 8 too. That gives them specific memories of all but the 1st birthday, and lots of themes and ideas to plan out. And it gives the "invitees" a rest...!

saratoga Jul 11th 2007 10:29PM

well now having a party for your kids is like having a party for you bc some people that show up dont even know them these days

No name, Please Jun 20th 2007 1:51PM

One thing I have to say is... THAT IS SO STUPID!! My freinds parents are getting a divorce over "money problems" and for their last daughters birthday, they spent like 20,000 dollers to take us all up to the Red's stadium and watch a movie on the big screen. No wonder they are getting a divorce. I remeber my fifth birthday party and you know what I did? I reused my MOTHER'S Cinderella cake decorations and a homemade cake and it did not cast over 10 dollers. That is retarded!!!

Jacki Jun 20th 2007 2:11PM

I do not do parties at home because I don't want to have to do the clean up. Although my kids' parties have mostly been at party places, (indoor soccer, bowling alley, gymnastic places, etc...)the entire party never cost more than $250.00. The only party that was more expensive was a joint paintball party for my middle son. It was with another boy and either child had a party the year before. Several parents, as well as kids participated and my older son was allowed to include some friends as well. Yes, that party did cost each family $450.00 but, other than taking a friend or two to the movies and out to dinner for his birthday, my son will not have another party until his Bar Mitzvah.

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