When did children’s birthday parties become such a stressful event? Maybe when everyday moms and dads decided to compete with celebrity parents. Sean “Diddy” Combs bought his son a $360,000 car on his 16th birthday. I don’t know about you, but there’s no way I am competing with that gift. I can just imagine what the party was like! Only because I’ve seen the TLC reality show, “Outrageous Kids Parties.” I’d advise you not to tune in – it’s far too scary.
More realistically, the stress is put into high gear when everyday parents decide to compete with each other. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed those little over-the-top nuances at some of these mini-wedding events. I remember one flashy party where the birthday girl required a change of outfit. Apparently, the designer jeans she wore for the pony ride were not quite appropriate for the cake-cutting photo. For that, full couture princess regalia were in order. She was 6 years old.
There is a middle ground where everyone can have reasonable fun, parents included. When it’s all said and done it’s best to aim for less stress and more enjoyment. As a mom and writer, Jessica Baldis advises in her article, “The Busy Mom’s Budget Birthday Guide,” the whole point of a birthday party is for your little one to have fun celebrating with family and friends. Read Baldis’ nine tips on how to throw a great party on limited time and financial budget.
That doesn’t mean you are left with only having to play pin the tail on the donkey in your backyard. Not that there’s anything wrong with that scenario. In fact that’s the image that comes to mind when I think of the parties I attended as a kid. It’s a darn good memory too. It’s all about making simple choices that work for you and your child. Holding the event at a birthday party venue or hiring an entertainer are great ideas and can be an immeasurable help to orchestrating the celebration. Keep the eye on the prize: stress less and enjoy more. If you do, your child and her guests will too.
When it comes to presents you might want to take your lead from Julia Hart. In this month’s Parent & Child department read our story of how this once 10-year-old decided to forgo gifts and invited her guests to offer funds instead that she then donated to a children’s hospital. Her Bedford-based organization, the Peter Pan Birthday Club, has inspired many other children and parents to experience the joy in giving. If it’s right for your family this can be a powerful lesson for everyone, guests included.
Whatever you decide to do this year to mark your child’s special day make sure to enjoy the celebration. It’s a milestone not only for your child, but for you too!
