Comments on: Kids Birthday Parties: how much is too much? http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:57:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jessica http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-184458 Jessica Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:05:14 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-184458 Last year alone, I believe I spent about $500 between both of my children's birthday parties (they are only 2 weeks apart).. Most of the money went towards food, but also a big chunk towards decorations. If you are not going to make a regular habit of these parties, $315 is not unreasonable. Last year alone, I believe I spent about $500 between both of my children’s birthday parties (they are only 2 weeks apart).. Most of the money went towards food, but also a big chunk towards decorations. If you are not going to make a regular habit of these parties, $315 is not unreasonable.

]]> By: Christine Mills http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-184422 Christine Mills Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:55:19 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-184422 That does seem like a lot of money. You can probably strike a deal with your daughter in which she has a big party for certain birthdays (i.e. 13th and 16th) and other times will be low key. That way she will be getting the best of both worlds. That does seem like a lot of money. You can probably strike a deal with your daughter in which she has a big party for certain birthdays (i.e. 13th and 16th) and other times will be low key. That way she will be getting the best of both worlds.

]]> By: Lorie Shewbridge http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-183604 Lorie Shewbridge Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:15:03 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-183604 My kids are grown up and I must be OLD, because that sounds like a lot of money to me. But, I'm with Classy Mom on the part about, IF you WANT to do it and she wants to do it AND it is not a financial burden, then go for it. BUT if it will cause a financial burden, then explain it to her that it is really something you can't afford. I think kids understand that more than we realize, it is on TV all the time now and they may be disappointed at first, but they do understand. Then have her help you plan something else she will like. But maybe I am just OLD and all wet!! :-) My kids are grown up and I must be OLD, because that sounds like a lot of money to me. But, I’m with Classy Mom on the part about, IF you WANT to do it and she wants to do it AND it is not a financial burden, then go for it. BUT if it will cause a financial burden, then explain it to her that it is really something you can’t afford. I think kids understand that more than we realize, it is on TV all the time now and they may be disappointed at first, but they do understand. Then have her help you plan something else she will like.
But maybe I am just OLD and all wet!! :-)

]]> By: Casey http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-183429 Casey Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:46:46 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-183429 Hi, I actually own two gymnastics facilities in Indianapolis IN. We charge $200 for 2hours, however I'm sure we're on the low end. The kids have a great time, and it's really good for them. They all leave sweating :) It's very easy on the parents as well. We have waiting lists for our parties in the winter months. Have fun! Hi, I actually own two gymnastics facilities in Indianapolis IN. We charge $200 for 2hours, however I’m sure we’re on the low end. The kids have a great time, and it’s really good for them. They all leave sweating :) It’s very easy on the parents as well. We have waiting lists for our parties in the winter months. Have fun!

]]> By: Shannon http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-183423 Shannon Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:53:03 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-183423 Another alternative is the park. Some parks even let you have those jumpy moon things that you can rent for relatively cheap. At a park, the clean up is easier than your home and there's lots of room to run and play. Of course, that depends on how the weather is where you are. We are in Texas where it's pretty warm. In the end though, it's up to you. She's your child and will be little only once and if she wants that and you are comfortable with it, then go for it Another alternative is the park. Some parks even let you have those jumpy moon things that you can rent for relatively cheap. At a park, the clean up is easier than your home and there’s lots of room to run and play. Of course, that depends on how the weather is where you are. We are in Texas where it’s pretty warm. In the end though, it’s up to you. She’s your child and will be little only once and if she wants that and you are comfortable with it, then go for it

]]> By: Michelle http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-183406 Michelle Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:22:46 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-183406 does that include any food provided by the gym? like pizza or a cake or something? For how many kids? that's a lot of money. does that include any food provided by the gym? like pizza or a cake or something? For how many kids? that’s a lot of money.

]]> By: Can Can (Mom Most Traveled) http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-183390 Can Can (Mom Most Traveled) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:04:50 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-183390 When I was a kid my brother and I had most of our birthday parties at our church. They had a big multipurpose room you could rent out for just the cleaning fee. Then they also had roller skating and my parents usually got some kind of entertainment like a magician. Besides going big for my first child's 1st birthday (over 100 guests), I haven't done another big one. My best/easiest/cheapest was a 3rd b'day at the fire station and then cake in the neighboring park/playground. Jojo just turned 5 in October and I asked him what 5 friends he wanted to invite. He came up with a list of 4! Haha! They came over and I made a cake and they made shrinky dinks. It was 2 hours on a Saturday morning. That is all that either of us could handle. I didn't want to invite his whole class of 20 children because I was afraid some parents I didn't know well would try to drop the kids off and leave, then it would get awkward. When I was a kid my brother and I had most of our birthday parties at our church. They had a big multipurpose room you could rent out for just the cleaning fee. Then they also had roller skating and my parents usually got some kind of entertainment like a magician.
Besides going big for my first child’s 1st birthday (over 100 guests), I haven’t done another big one. My best/easiest/cheapest was a 3rd b’day at the fire station and then cake in the neighboring park/playground.
Jojo just turned 5 in October and I asked him what 5 friends he wanted to invite. He came up with a list of 4! Haha! They came over and I made a cake and they made shrinky dinks. It was 2 hours on a Saturday morning. That is all that either of us could handle.
I didn’t want to invite his whole class of 20 children because I was afraid some parents I didn’t know well would try to drop the kids off and leave, then it would get awkward.

]]> By: ClassyMommy http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-183359 ClassyMommy Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:09:31 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-183359 Love the collage of Charlotte! If she wants it, you want, and you can afford it - go for it! Birthday Parties make fabulous memories and it sounds like this is the year you finally have the guest list to merit doing something outside of the home. Cause seriously, you'd probably spend that much hosting a party at home with the guest list you have. I think I've always spent close to $200-$300 just on food, decorations, favors etc. So far we've opted to host the kids parties at home ( 4 for Kenzie and only 2 for Kyle so far!) but that has really been our decision, since Kenzie never begged to go to a "venue" yet and I love the personal vibe of a party from home - if you can swing it of course. I have friends that have spent far more than $300 and those that love to keep it simple with cake and ice cream at Play Group. The important thing is just making it special however you do it. For the 4th party this year, as our guest list grew - I even had a Disney Princess (local of course!) come to the house for entertainment and sing and do story hour with the kids - that was $150. For Kyle's 2nd party, I hosted during the week with Moms & a few kids. Since they are all too young for real games, we spent $100 to have the Music Lady come to do 45 mins with the kids. They loved both scenarios as did our guests - I was happy to find a way to entertain the kids while keeping our cozy at home vibe. I'm sure it will be wonderful whatever you do! Happy Birthday Charlotte! xo colleen Love the collage of Charlotte!

If she wants it, you want, and you can afford it – go for it! Birthday Parties make fabulous memories and it sounds like this is the year you finally have the guest list to merit doing something outside of the home. Cause seriously, you’d probably spend that much hosting a party at home with the guest list you have.

I think I’ve always spent close to $200-$300 just on food, decorations, favors etc. So far we’ve opted to host the kids parties at home ( 4 for Kenzie and only 2 for Kyle so far!) but that has really been our decision, since Kenzie never begged to go to a “venue” yet and I love the personal vibe of a party from home – if you can swing it of course. I have friends that have spent far more than $300 and those that love to keep it simple with cake and ice cream at Play Group. The important thing is just making it special however you do it. For the 4th party this year, as our guest list grew – I even had a Disney Princess (local of course!) come to the house for entertainment and sing and do story hour with the kids – that was $150. For Kyle’s 2nd party, I hosted during the week with Moms & a few kids. Since they are all too young for real games, we spent $100 to have the Music Lady come to do 45 mins with the kids. They loved both scenarios as did our guests – I was happy to find a way to entertain the kids while keeping our cozy at home vibe.

I’m sure it will be wonderful whatever you do! Happy Birthday Charlotte!

xo colleen

]]> By: Jennifer @ J. Leigh Designz http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-183311 Jennifer @ J. Leigh Designz Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:43:07 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-183311 We'll I'm a Birthday Party Coordinator for my day job and our parties have a base price of $200. Oh and thats just for an hour long presentation and ONE goody bag. If you want more ($5.50 each), invitations, or add-ons those cost extra...oh and you still have to come up with the food and decorations yourself ;) We’ll I’m a Birthday Party Coordinator for my day job and our parties have a base price of $200. Oh and thats just for an hour long presentation and ONE goody bag. If you want more ($5.50 each), invitations, or add-ons those cost extra…oh and you still have to come up with the food and decorations yourself ;)

]]> By: jen http://www.momdot.com/kids-birthday-parties-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2#comment-183303 jen Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:18:03 +0000 http://www.momdot.com/?p=19938#comment-183303 I have big birthday parties for ages 1,5,10,13,and 16. The birthdays between that are smaller. My son is turning 11 Saturday and He is having a sleep over with 5 friends and pizza party with movies & games. My daughter's birthdays are in March so I try to do them at the same time to save on money even though they are 5 years apart. This year will be the big party jada will be 5 and jas will be 10. I haven't decided what we are going to do yet . But in the past I would rather spend the money and have everything included then have to do it myself then clean up! However I always order my own cakes and bring them because the price other places charge are not worth it and look awful. I have big birthday parties for ages 1,5,10,13,and 16. The birthdays between that are smaller. My son is turning 11 Saturday and He is having a sleep over with 5 friends and pizza party with movies & games.

My daughter’s birthdays are in March so I try to do them at the same time to save on money even though they are 5 years apart. This year will be the big party jada will be 5 and jas will be 10. I haven’t decided what we are going to do yet . But in the past I would rather spend the money and have everything included then have to do it myself then clean up! However I always order my own cakes and bring them because the price other places charge are not worth it and look awful.

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