CHILDREN’S PARTIES – FROM THE SLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS
Whatever happened to pas the parcel?Americans reportedly spend over ten billion dollars a year on birthday parties, and the games the kids are playing aren’t the ones their parents did.
Children’s parties are supersized these days.Extravaganzas, costing thousands of dollars are happening more and more, and parents are under pressure to keep up with the Jones’s. Party planning has become big business, and the good old jumping castle has been replaced by entertainers, magic shows and fully propped themed events,
We barely turn a hair when celebrities throw enormous, lavish parties.A cool 100 000 dollars was reputedly spent by Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes on daughter, Suri’s 2nd birthday whilst the Beckhams were said to have spent 10 000 dollars on Brooklyn’s 5th birthday party.But this ‘Hollywood’ effect is taking its toll on ordinary people who feel pressurised to deliver ‘celebrityville’ to their kids.
And it’s all the extras that stack up the costs.A recent investigation put the average cost of a goody bag in Britain at 7.50 pounds, which amounts to an unbelievable sum of 239 pounds a year. No longer content with a cheap plastic trinket, a balloon and a packet of sweets, goodie bags have become veritable treasure chests, some even boasting French perfume and real jewellery.
The culture of excess has prompted a response from concerned parents around the world and there are numerous websites offering advice on more modest alternatives.One such citizen action group is Birthdays Without Pressure, and they formed the group to engage in dialogue about ‘out of control’ parties, and what can be done about it.
They are concerned about a number of trends, including one in which kids are given ‘half birthday’ parties every six months.Examples of excessive celebrations are listed on their website, such as a wealthy father from New York whose party for his 13 year-old daughter cost a million dollars, which included paying Aerosmith to perform and $10 000 gift bags!
What are some better-value things we can do?
* Downsize the invitation list
• Invite guests to send a gift for charity, rather than to the child
* Be imaginative and make gift bags economical. paper bag containing bird seed or homemade candy or cookies
* Having a theme can escalate costs. Consider a theme-free event
• Outsourcing can be expensive.Have it at home, and have fun with the cleaning up
* Discount stores often have party goods at very reasonable prices
* Organise the party at a time when you won’t be expected to provide a meal, for example between 9 and 11 in the morning
• Get kids involved. Use plain paper as a table cloth and provide crayons for kids to decorate.
* Organise fun activities and games, like pass the parcel and musical chairs
* Outdoor activites are fun – what about hiring a bouncy castle.A jumping castle hire Perth company, Soxon Jumping Castles, say that jumping castles are still entertainment of choice, keeping children busy and active at good value.
And yet, at the end of the day, after all the extravagance, there are often so many children who complain about the ‘lame’ party or that they were ‘bored.’ Let’s give the parties back to the kids – get back to some good old fashioned fun, and let the games begin.
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