Children's Birthday Parties

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Why do women feel that it is necessary to spend $70 on themed plates, cups and hats for a fucking birthday party?

[Mrs. BLP]

Oh come on. She didn't spend $70 on paper products.

Moms get graded on this stuff. This is nothing when it comes to birthday party one-upmanship.

[Monster]

It's your first kid. Just wait. By kid #4 you're buying a generic cake the day of the party and serving it on 3 different kinds of paper plate that you find randomly in the pantry.

[Serenity]

Hmm. I do not find the need to do this. My daughters 2nd bday is coming up here soon. I would feel pretty silly if I spent that much on her bday party.

Don't forget the important rule for bdays: kids age + 1 = how many kids should be at the party. Anything else is too many.

[Mrs. BLP]

Hmm. I do not find the need to do this. My daughters 2nd bday is coming up here soon. I would feel pretty silly if I spent that much on her bday party.

Don't forget the important rule for bdays: kids age + 1 = how many kids should be at the party. Anything else is too many.

There is no rule about # of kids. When they get in school, you either invite the whole class or all the kids of the same gender. You don't want your kid walking around announcing to 3/4 of the class, "Guess what, you are NOT invited to my party". Tact is not a skill that 5 or 6 year olds have.

[Serenity]

Hmm. I do not find the need to do this. My daughters 2nd bday is coming up here soon. I would feel pretty silly if I spent that much on her bday party.

Don't forget the important rule for bdays: kids age + 1 = how many kids should be at the party. Anything else is too many.

There is no rule about # of kids. When they get in school, you either invite the whole class or all the kids of the same gender. You don't want your kid walking around announcing to 3/4 of the class, "Guess what, you are NOT invited to my party". Tact is not a skill that 5 or 6 year olds have.

I don't agree. As a child we were never allowed to have a "whole class" bday party. I don't plan on lil S having them either. They strike me as expensive and silly. Invite the kids your kid hangs out with and you know the parents of.

[Monster]

I ain't having 9 kids at LM2's party this summer. Eff that.

[01BizGrad]

By the way, Walgreens has a ton of $1 summer toys in their seasonal aisle that look somewhat fun and dangerous.

I'll have a 3y/o in a couple weeks and I think he's going to get a bunch of items from this aisle. He has so much crap already.

[Serenity]

I ain't having 9 kids at LM2's party this summer. Eff that.

I suppose that "rule" doesn't work well when they get older :) I think it makes a lot of sense when they are little and is a reminder of what a little kid can handle. 10 kids at a 2 year old party would be crazy for me and for my daughter.

[Mrs. BLP]

Hmm. I do not find the need to do this. My daughters 2nd bday is coming up here soon. I would feel pretty silly if I spent that much on her bday party.

Don't forget the important rule for bdays: kids age + 1 = how many kids should be at the party. Anything else is too many.

There is no rule about # of kids. When they get in school, you either invite the whole class or all the kids of the same gender. You don't want your kid walking around announcing to 3/4 of the class, "Guess what, you are NOT invited to my party". Tact is not a skill that 5 or 6 year olds have.

I don't agree. As a child we were never allowed to have a "whole class" bday party. I don't plan on lil S having them either. They strike me as expensive and silly. Invite the kids your kid hangs out with and you know the parents of.

So I assume then you will not be sending her when she receives invites to other kids big parties? To be consistent?

Our kids don't have massive birthday parties every year. But when you do have them, you have to be a little diplomatic about the invites. Or be prepared for the revenge non-invite by some other kid and console lil S when she's the one who is excluded.

[Mr. Hawk]

Why do women feel that it is necessary to spend $70 on themed plates, cups and hats for a fucking birthday party?
Because they're competing with the other "moms" in the group. Take note of all the mindf***ing that goes on between them over the gifts too.

[bearbull24.5]

I ain't having 9 kids at LM2's party this summer. Eff that.

I suppose that "rule" doesn't work well when they get older :) I think it makes a lot of sense when they are little and is a reminder of what a little kid can handle. 10 kids at a 2 year old party would be crazy for me and for my daughter.

Is it even necessary to have a birthday party for a 2 yr old?

[Mo T]

My 13 year old had his birthday party at an airsoft gun place. They played war for an hour and it was really fun seeing the boys interact. Birthday parties for kids under 7 do generally suck, though.

I would always recommend having a party at some place other than your house.....

[Mrs. BLP]

I ain't having 9 kids at LM2's party this summer. Eff that.

I suppose that "rule" doesn't work well when they get older :) I think it makes a lot of sense when they are little and is a reminder of what a little kid can handle. 10 kids at a 2 year old party would be crazy for me and for my daughter.

Is it even necessary to have a birthday party for a 2 yr old?

Family only. Not friends. Two-year olds do not have friends. Parents may be acquainted with other people who have 2 year olds but this does not make them friends. Ages 4 to 7 are the big birthday party years.

[Debit One]

I ain't having 9 kids at LM2's party this summer. Eff that.

I suppose that "rule" doesn't work well when they get older :) I think it makes a lot of sense when they are little and is a reminder of what a little kid can handle. 10 kids at a 2 year old party would be crazy for me and for my daughter.

Is it even necessary to have a birthday party for a 2 yr old?

Of course it is! Just like it is necessary to have kindergarten graduation ceremonies, and to shower every freaking kid in the dance class with a bouquet of flowers after the unbearably long recital.

(psst - bearbull - it's all about what the mom's want - it's not really about the kids)

[JasperDeKimmel]

Celebrating birthdays is stupid in and of itself. Specialized paper goods in furtherance of such celebrations are evidence of a depraved, self-absorbed society.

[MikeyJoe]

I ain't having 9 kids at LM2's party this summer. Eff that.

I suppose that "rule" doesn't work well when they get older :) I think it makes a lot of sense when they are little and is a reminder of what a little kid can handle. 10 kids at a 2 year old party would be crazy for me and for my daughter.

Is it even necessary to have a birthday party for a 2 yr old?
No. A few months ago we took our baby (then six months old) to a party for the two year old son of a friend of ours. The kids mostly ignored each other, until the birthday boy bit our daughter's hand because she was playing with one of his toys.

[coff]

Why do women feel that it is necessary to spend $70 on themed plates, cups and hats for a fucking birthday party?
Because they're competing with the other "moms" in the group. Take note of all the mindf***ing that goes on between them over the gifts too.


So obvious, but still, you are the only one with the right answer.

[Serenity]

I suppose that "rule" doesn't work well when they get older :) I think it makes a lot of sense when they are little and is a reminder of what a little kid can handle. 10 kids at a 2 year old party would be crazy for me and for my daughter.

Is it even necessary to have a birthday party for a 2 yr old?

Family only. Not friends. Two-year olds do not have friends. Parents may be acquainted with other people who have 2 year olds but this does not make them friends. Ages 4 to 7 are the big birthday party years.

I find this interesting. While my almost 2 year old's "friends" are children of parents I am aquainted with and not necessarily of her own choosing I would consider them friends. She talks about them, plays with them, seeks them out when we are places with lots of other people... I would consider this a child's version of a friend.

Is it necessary to have a bday party for anyone? It will be a time for family and friends to get together to celebrate my daughter. A 2 year old likes to have a special day as much as anyone else does.

[Debit One]

dupe

[Debit One]

It will be a time for family and friends to get together to celebrate my daughter.

Celebrate your daughter?

Oh come on.

[ISUFan98]

My wife's family is ridiculous. Each of my wife's four sisters feel it's necessary to have a party for each child every year. And then they get mad when I tell my wife that we're not driving an hour and a half each way, nor are we spending the night, for a silly birthday party.

[blacklespaul]

I like birthday cake. But only the butter cream frosting. None of that whipped shit.

[Jimmie Dimmick]

I like birthday cake. But only the butter cream frosting. None of that whipped shit.

Ice Cream Cake, ftw

[Talkin' Goat]

Whoever started the trend of the birthday kid giving out little "goodie-bags" to the friends that came to the party should be punched in the head. Having a bday party is a big enough pain in the ass as it is - like I want to go get a bunch of cheap crap to give to your kids for coming to my kid's party.

[DoeyHawk]

"Get off my lawn".

Damn, you guys are some pissy old men.

[SL]

A 2 year old likes to have a special day as much as anyone else does.

I don't have kids, but I imagine a "special day" to a two year old could simply consist of a trip to DQ.

[MikeyJoe]

When I was growing up, we had family "parties" for everyone's birthday every year, but we all lived in the same area and they were pretty informal get-togethers. Someone would order pizza, bring a cake, the men would play cards while the kids ran around. I always really enjoyed it, but that's because about .04% of the time was spent "celebrating" the birthday.

[Mr. Hawk]

When I was growing up, we had family "parties" for everyone's birthday every year, but we all lived in the same area and they were pretty informal get-togethers. Someone would order pizza, bring a cake, the men would play cards while the kids ran around. I always really enjoyed it, but that's because about .04% of the time was spent "celebrating" the birthday.
It's a brave new world, unfortunately.

[01BizGrad]

Well isn't this perfect timing. My 4 y/o just got his first birthday invite from another kid at preschool.

Shit

He'll be excited though.

[CUIHAWk]

When I was growing up, we had family "parties" for everyone's birthday every year, but we all lived in the same area and they were pretty informal get-togethers. Someone would order pizza, bring a cake, the men would play cards while the kids ran around. I always really enjoyed it, but that's because about .04% of the time was spent "celebrating" the birthday.
It's a brave new world, unfortunately.

This was my family, i'm afraid this will not be the case with the lady and future in-laws...

[Monster]

When I was growing up, we had family "parties" for everyone's birthday every year, but we all lived in the same area and they were pretty informal get-togethers. Someone would order pizza, bring a cake, the men would play cards while the kids ran around. I always really enjoyed it, but that's because about .04% of the time was spent "celebrating" the birthday.
It's a brave new world, unfortunately.

This is basically what we do. No invites are sent. No goodie bags. Typically we might call Mrs. Monster's sister the day before and ask if they can come over for some cake and ice cream. They usually bring a gift, though they really don't have to. We have a few beers, let the kids play, sing happy birthday, and they take off. If they can't come they we might see if the neighbor kid or a friend want to come. Then we let them have a sleepover. Done.

[Monster]

BTW, 2-year olds don't have friends. You could completely remove every kid your 2-year old has ever played with, replace them with completely different kids, and after about a week the 2-year old would have no memory of the first set of kids.

[Mr. Hawk]

They usually bring a gift, though they really don't have to.
This is the only problem I have with your entire paragraph. In today's culture, and especially when women are involved, unless there's an explicit "DO NOT BRING GIFTS" message sent, then there is the expectation.

[Monster]

They usually bring a gift, though they really don't have to.
This is the only problem I have with your entire paragraph. In today's culture, and especially when women are involved, unless there's an explicit "DO NOT BRING GIFTS" message sent, then there is the expectation.

I find that even when "Do Not Bring a Gift" is said, gifts will still be brought. I just let Mrs. Monster deal with it. It's her sister. I think they just like to shop for gifts, but I really don't know how females operate.

[hawkchick79]

They usually bring a gift, though they really don't have to.
This is the only problem I have with your entire paragraph. In today's culture, and especially when women are involved, unless there's an explicit "DO NOT BRING GIFTS" message sent, then there is the expectation.

But it's poor etiquette to mention gifts on an invitation. And many people will interpret a "no gifts please" as "please bring gifts" anyway. Much how a wife/gf will say "Oh, I don't need anything" but the husband/bf will think he has to get her a totally awesome gift.

[Mrs. BLP]

You don't have to spend a lot on a gift for a kid's party. They don't know how much stuff costs.

[01BizGrad]

I would always recommend having a party at some place other than your house.....

Yup, that's what they are doing with the invite today. Good move.

I'm a noob at this, and I'm assuming since the kids are only 4 that the parents stick around for this?

I don't think the "soccerdome" has a bar, that would be a good place to pass the time.

[oomp]

Had my daughter's first birthday last weekend. Spent money on cupcakes for the kids and beer for the dads. Wife handled the rest.