Toddler Birthday Parties
I realize that I am what is euphamistically referred to as a ‘late-in-life’ parent whose own childhood is quite a ways behind her, but I hadn’t realized quite how much things had changed in the intervening decades until I entered the world of Children’s Birthday Parties.
Cue ‘Twilight Zone Theme’
When I was a kid a birthday party involved going over to the birthday boy or girl’s house, present in hand, playing Pin The Tail on the Donkey (seriously) and eating way too much cake made from a mix and store brand ice cream. All I want to know is: What Happened????
Now you need a venue for the party, unless you are lucky enough to have either a house that will hold an entire preschool class plus parents and siblings or a kid whose birthday falls in the summer, in which case a park with a good playground is adequate, at least until elementary school. These days birthday parties have elaborate themes. There are entire online businesses devoted to supplying their customers with everything one might need, all just a mouse click away. My favorite enticement: “Order Now, Pay Nothing for Three Months!!!” Excuse me, is this a kid’s birthday party, or am I buying a car here? There is even one business that specializes in toddler birthday parties - talk about a niche market. And the (mother of the) birthday child is supposed to supply gift bags for each guest, filled with lovely prizes. Oh, and parties for older children also require the services of an entertainer of some kind like a magician, someone who paints faces and makes balloon animals or the Reptile Man (again, seriously).
I don’t think I’m ready for this.
The Cupcakes’ Official Toddler Birthday Party is on Sunday morning. Wish me luck. Please.
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H1 said,
November 8, 2007 @ 1:55 am
I’d like to add indoor-playgrounds to that list !! Personally I love going there with a party. You get in and WHOOSH the kids are gone. You place yourself on a centered seat, prepare finger-food and something to drink and take out your book. Now and then some kid will come by, grap something and goes again. You should of course have your first-aid-kit available but hope the best :-) Best birthday party ever and your kid will love you :-)
For grown kids going bowling works the thame way but they of course need a pizza…
H1 said,
November 8, 2007 @ 2:07 am
oops, I overdid “th” :-)
Sandy said,
November 8, 2007 @ 3:40 am
I think the whole “venue” thing came about simply so there was no cleanup to deal with afterwards - seems like it could be worth it. I’m from the same era you are (it was a big special deal if the mix cake was in a special *shape*!) And I think the parents and siblings thing is because you’re remembering older kids birthdays (6-8ish?), but currently dealing with toddler ones; I would hope when they get older the parents won’t all be feeling like they have to hang around the whole time. Maybe. I still don’t understand the “whole class” thing, or the elaborate “favors” thing or the entertainer thing.
Whatever you do, resist the urge to try to “outdo” other kids’ parties. Please. That kind of escalation is how it got this ridiculous in the first place. It’s not like the *kids* care, after all (at least, not at this age; their parents haven’t built the expectations into them quite yet).
Best of luck! I’m sure it’ll be great.
Cece said,
November 8, 2007 @ 5:56 am
OK - so I’m 32 - and I remember the cake and pin the tail on the donkey parties also! And - to satisfy the ‘whole class’ thing? You would brign in cupcakes. I’m sure that is no longer allowed - what with peanut and gluten allergies.
lol
stariel said,
November 8, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
Hey, I’m only 25 and I didn’t have parties with entertainers and locations generally (except when it was in my apartment’s “community center” since my mom didn’t want to clean).
I did attend one or two parties with entertainment, but not that young. And when we got older I had one friend who would have parties that involved going to the amusement park, but her family was super rich.
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