$ 6,000 kid's birthday party - Page 2

MusicMouseTN · 07-20-2006, 10:56 PM

Unbelievable! What I could do for my child with $6000 would last a lot longer than one afternoon!

alexmommy · 07-21-2006, 10:38 AM

Today Im having my son's bday swim party, Just going to my parents house. Buying 4 large pizzas from Costco, got a coupon for 5 free 2 liters of soda, coupon for a free cake at Safeway and will buy a half sheet from Safeway also. Total amt to be spent on this bash = about $50

cjemommy · 07-21-2006, 11:08 AM

MY sil does big parties for her kids when they turn 5. For her dd's 5th she rented a huge blow up castle jumping thing and had over about 30 kids. Then for her 6th she invited 16 little girls for a sleepover where they stayed up until 2am doing facials, pedicures and manicures. For her ds's 5th last year she hired a petting zoo to come to her backyard and also a pony ring for pony rides with about 30 kids.

I just don't get it, other than they feel they need to keep with everyone else. They are growing up thinking they can have anything anytime they want. She plans on getting them convertables at age 16 and give them each $100,000 at 18 to get them started off in life! How about starting that college fund, that's a little more important I think. They don't even have the money yet, she's just thinking way ahead!

bennis_mama · 07-21-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I just don't get it, other than they feel they need to keep with everyone else. They are growing up thinking they can have anything anytime they want. She plans on getting them convertables at age 16 and give them each $100,000 at 18 to get them started off in life! How about starting that college fund, that's a little more important I think. They don't even have the money yet, she's just thinking way ahead!

Wow. I plan on having my DD work for part of her car, and us pay the other half. I can't imagine giving her 100 g to get started in life. Have started a college - but I doubt it will be close to that by 18. Althought the cost of college in 18 years is supposed to be around 1 mill for a 4 year university.

Jen143 · 07-21-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Moreover, she said, you send the message that "money buys happiness, and money is what makes a party great." If they have seen it all by age 13, she said, "What are they going to do for their wedding?"

I have said this over and over again. *What will these children have to look forward to? *I have actually seen parents of 8th graders (at a school where I used to teach) rent limousines for their child's middle school graduation or Confirmation. *It truly makes me ill.

When I was a kid, I remember having exactly one big birthday party. *My whole 2nd grade class was invited and it was in our back yard! *LOL *Other than that, it was a few friends going to a movie, mini-golf, or Showbiz Pizza (anyone remember that place? - Similar to Chuck E. Cheese).
We spend maybe a couple hundred bucks on birthday parties for the kids - that includes food, cake, paper goods, etc. *I will admit, we rarely have parties at our home because we have absolutely no space and no backyard. *This year we did The Little Gym for my 4-year-old, and the year before we did McDonald's (which was UNBELIEVABLY cheap and SOO worth it). * Other than that, we usually try to book the local park/playgrounds and either cook out or order pizzas. *It's very cheap to reserve pavilions in our city parks - I don't think we've ever paid more than $40 and we get a garbage deposit back after we clean up. *
It would never cross my mind to throw that kind of crazy party for my children. *Not only is it wasted money, but it can be overwhelming for kids of any age!

wallace4some · 07-21-2006, 03:37 PM

No Comment! LOL But it's no where near the 4 digits! LOL

orchid3h · 07-21-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (alexmommy @ July 21 2006,08:38)]Today Im having my son's bday swim party, Just going to my parents house. Buying 4 large pizzas from Costco, got a coupon for 5 free 2 liters of soda, coupon for a free cake at Safeway and will buy a half sheet from Safeway also. Total amt to be spent on this bash = about $50

how did you get the free coupon for a free cake from safeway?

2bearsmom · 07-21-2006, 09:08 PM

I can't even begin to think what these children will grow into...Will they have any concept of the value of a dollar? I earned everything I have...nothing was ever handed ro me..Dh was the same way...We will do our best to provide for our children, but even a first car? You want it? You'd better get a job and work towards it!
DD will be 7 and this year will be her first non-family birthday party. (Chuck-E-Cheese and ONLY because my parents are paying for it) That's all we've ever had until now...I don't think I've ever spent over $60 on a birthday party!

anniebananie · 07-24-2006, 12:16 PM

You know, while I think that this is a bit over the top, my thought is "more power to them"! If they can afford it and they enjoy throwing these parties, then what does it hurt me? It doesn't.

Now, if one concern is "what is this teaching the child",well, it's probably teaching them lots of things. One thing that it is teaching them is that by hard work one can attain a certain comfort level in life - that sacrifice is needed to attain that comfort level, and that one should be able to do with one's money what one wants to - including hiring Ringling Brother's Circus if one so chooses!

And this kind of party I am sure is also teaching children about the excess of consumption. Hopefully the parents are also teaching the children to consume without debt. That, I believe is a most important lesson in life.

3boys · 07-24-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (anniebananie @ July 24 2006,13:16)]You know, while I think that this is a bit over the top, my thought is "more power to them"! If they can afford it and they enjoy throwing these parties, then what does it hurt me? *It doesn't. *

Now, if one concern is "what is this teaching the child",well, it's probably teaching them lots of things. *One thing that it is teaching them is that by hard work one can attain a certain comfort level in life - that sacrifice is needed to attain that comfort level, and that one should be able to do with one's money what one wants to - including hiring Ringling Brother's Circus if one so chooses!

And this kind of party I am sure is also teaching children about the excess of consumption. *Hopefully the parents are also teaching the children to consume without debt. *That, I believe is a most important lesson in life.

100% agree, and very well said. I've been meaning to say something along the lines, but couldn't get the right words out. Thanks,