Birthday Tea & a contract

Until this year, the kids have had small parties with only a select friend or two and then the family party on their birthday... We did do a larger party for my step-son at home one year and it was a disaster... He wanted a dinosaur themed party... The party was all planned out, and all went well, until a few people decided to show their true colors...

So this year, my daughter wants to invite all her friends and classmates to her birthday party. I really don't want to try to cram a bunch of 6-7 yr old girls in my little house and have no help... The trend is to just drop them off and pick them up later... So far this hasn't worked out for some of the other parents... I was especially horrified at the pool party last summer where the parents dropped kids off at a public pool and failed to send towels or divulge that their child was unable to swim...

My daughter wants a to have a tea party for her birthday... So I checked around and found a local tea room that does all inclusive parties... The place is decked out, the girls will be using fine china, they will all get to dress up out of their armoire and clothing trunks, it includes lunch, snacks, ettiquitte lessons, the cake, games, prizes, party favors, pictures, a parade/fashion show, tea and food for the adults, and oh yeah they even send out the invitations...

I think I have lost my mind... This is going to cost a small fortune... I have to book at least 2 months in advance... I guess it really is that popular... Her birthday is so far away and I have to go sign the contract today... At least she and her Girl Scout friends will earn a patch...

Does it just get worse from here, once I follow through with this type of party planning??? I mean are the kids going to expect more each year???

Comments: 17

Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Jan 16, 2008, 9:55am EST

Of course the kids will want more each year. But if you can't afford it later on. Just explain ahead of time that the party will be smaller becaus eyou have a smaller budget to work with. It sounds like your daughter will have a wonderful time. I wish they had something like that around here. My daughter would love doing that. She is only 7 herself and loves to dress up.

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Tom M. Jan 16, 2008, 10:17am EST

You have to consider that you are not only giving them a party but you are giving them life long memories. I look back at my childhood and at 41 years old, I have never in my life had a real birthday party.

I think it is part of the duty that a parent has. There are always alternative to the expensive parties and you have to be as creative as possible. Narrow down to a small number of close friends and find a party that will not break your budget but will make your child happy.

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Kim M. Jan 16, 2008, 10:35am EST

I would make sure she knows it is a special thing and not something that can be done every year. I only had a couple bigger parties when I was a kid and the rest were with family members. I think this was better for me because they have more meaning.

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donna h. Jan 16, 2008, 12:08pm EST

I always had backyard parties

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Heather W. Jan 16, 2008, 1:51pm EST

Oh yeah, the kids will expect more next year. I made the mistake of having my daughter's entire class over for a birthday party one year. Only a couple parents RSVP'd and then almost everyone showed up so I didn't have enough party favors. One kid's mother didn't inform me she was allergic to chocolate and we had chocolate cake. Fun times.

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Rory P. Jan 16, 2008, 1:55pm EST

Our family always goes overboard for birthdays so I can't talk. But the thinking is that that day is your day of the year that is just for you. Christmas and all the other holidays are for everyone, but birthdays are just for YOU. Not every year needs to be expensive, our family focuses on what the child is interested in at that point in their life, not really how much it will or will not cost. Your daughter will always remember her special day!

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Stacie N. Jan 16, 2008, 3:24pm EST

It is all about communication. You need to have discussions with your children each year and decide what is best for that year.

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The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Jan 16, 2008, 5:21pm EST

They will probably want more each year...but I never had parties growing up so I'm not too educated on it.

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Karolyn Q. Jan 17, 2008, 9:11pm EST

We always had a family party for the birthday and a few friends over. Good luck with your daughter's party!

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M & M. Jan 20, 2008, 6:49pm EST

As all humans, we want more and more. You do what you can, when you can. Hopefully they will just except whatever and whenever you do anything special for them on their birthdays.

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Erica M. Jan 22, 2008, 7:50pm EST

Oh no! You fell into the trap!!! Well, I can't really say much. We have only had two parties for my daughter. Both at home. Both just cake and ice cream. Both planned from 3-4 pm. Get em in, get em out has always been my philosophy. I am sure the day will come when my daughter will look at me with puppy dog eyes and ask for the party of the year. I of course, will remember how I never got to do anything fantastic for my birthday, being January 24th, and living in Iowa usually always canceled due to a huge snow storm. Oh wait, I think they are forecasting a snow storm this year too! Just my luck.

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Marie L. Jan 23, 2008, 8:49pm EST

So far we have stuck to just family parties but my kids are not in school yet, so I'm safe at least until next year. But, honestly, there is no way we can afford a fancy party and that is what I will have to explain to the kids. They will survive and we'll come up with other (less expensive) options. If we could afford a neat party I'd certainly do it though :-)

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Birthday Tea & a contract

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