Is it a birthday or a wedding?
Personalized and professionally printed invitations. Tarpaulin. Theme cakes. Catering. Separate gifts for children guests and adult guests. Special gifts for godparents. Requests for specific attire to fit the theme. Costumes made. Entertainment. Activity Booths. Personalized Guest Book. Photo Mosaic. Balloon or Flower Arches. A gift registry. A photo and video team. A secondary photo team. And six to eight months of planning.
Maybe it’s because i’m a first-time middle-income parent that’s why I am totally baffled by this. How come birthday parties have evolved into such a production that one has to exert the same effort one did in planning a wedding?
I understand how, if you have the means, you would want nothing but the best for your child. I am just wondering though about the wisdom of spending all that energy (and money) into a one-day affair which your child (and his guests) may enjoy but never really remember. Also, I cannot help but think that it may be putting yourself up for a fall, because now you’d be expected to throw a bigger party next time, or get more creative in entertaining the guests, or give away cuter souvenirs. And then, of course, you will be hardpressed to deliver the same for all your kids.
Or am I just being a party-pooper here?
