Over the top with parties and gifts.

13 Comments

What is it with breaking the budget ? Is it necessary to have lavish for birthday parties for babies? It often seems to me that the parties are more for the adults than the children and along with the of giving they seem to be in competition of who does the best parties etc. I have a bachelor nephew who never gives gifts, instead he continually pays into a trust fund that his nieces and nephews do not even know about yet. A friend donates to charities in the names of her family members on their birthday and Christmas.
Another friend visits the zoo with her grandchildren and they get to see their sponsored animal. We teach our children the values we would like them to have, to carry them through life. I am sometimes concerned that many parents are indulging their children wit so many material things that they are setting up unrealistic expectations, of how to show love and how to be loved. There is nothing wrong with giving gifts and celebrating, it is what messages are being sent in how this is is executed. What do others think? how do you celebrate the milestones of your children?

Posted by Tene, 2nd November 2014

13 Comments

- - mum888 said
  - 25 Dec 2015
    7:37 pm
It is best not to compare as you will always feel like crap afterwards. Do what is best for you and the kids and frankly simplicity is the best , but it is not for everyone . No need to compare .

- - Kell said
  - 06 Jun 2015
    7:23 pm
I like simple family gatherings with cake…. but thats just me

- - mom93821 said
  - 05 Jan 2015
    9:13 am
I suggest you do what works best for you and also what makes you comfortable.

- - mom93821 said
  - 01 Jan 2015
    12:45 pm
Families celebrate in very different ways and also have varying incomes; it is very much an individual choice.

- - mom57522 said
  - 26 Dec 2014
    1:57 pm
I like to have birthday parties for my kids but, saying that they aren’t over the top, who needs the stress?

- - mom94125 said
  - 11 Nov 2014
    11:33 pm
it’s up to you how you celebrate. i say if you are happy to do it , then why not? your kid will only be that age once. i’m sure that you will teach your kid to be down to earth and humble so a fancy celebration shouldn’t change that

- - deborah_osborne said
  - 08 Nov 2014
    7:44 pm
I think Sharing birthdays is up to inderviduals.But some do go too far ,fun for kids ,share gifts ,games & getting together with friends.If you got money all very well ,but it looses it’s fun when it’s all perfect ,that’s no fun .

- - christial said
  - 08 Nov 2014
    3:22 pm
Some people do spend way too much on parties but different families have different values and it’s up to them. I will not spend thousands on a babies party but have friends who will.

- - mel1 said
  - 07 Nov 2014
    4:22 pm
Families all celebrate in their own ways. Its nice to have a family tradition for birthdays. We always did modest kids parties, usually at home and to a budget, with themes and a bit of hard work on our part to save money. We made the cakes and food, thought of games and did not just throw money around to make the party happen. Our kids, now teens, still talk about their parties and they and their friends really enjoyed them. Keeping with our tradition of home parties, my 16 year old will be hosting a Christmas party for 12 friends this year, who are all so excited to come, because last year’s party was so much fun. We didn’t spend a lot and they all loved it.

- - jodiev1980 said
  - 04 Nov 2014
    11:24 pm
I was only just talking about this with school mums today! It’s amazing what people spend on birthday parties nowadays. Sometimes over $1000!

- - mom92217 said
  - 03 Nov 2014
    11:50 am
I only just did a party for mr five it was at McDonald’s and I hate McDonald’s but it was very affordable and easy as I have two babies also! $140 for 15 children

- - pakeko said
  - 02 Nov 2014
    9:25 pm
I have to agree with you on so many levels around this. We always have a family dinner with the birthday child getting to choose what I make

- - BellaB said
  - 02 Nov 2014
    2:13 pm
We do try to keep it moderate, but kids love to have some presents to open.