And Many More…

Posted Oct 3, 2006 by Clarisa Gerlach

Updated Oct 3, 2006 at 11:04 AM

Did you catch Mary Shedden’s story “Big Cash, Big Bash” in the Tribune? It’s an interesting look at how parents are paying an insane amount of moolah for their kid’s birthday parties.

What ever happened to ice cream, cake and pin the tail on the donkey?  I hope I don’t get roped into this birthday party frenzy down the road.

A friend recently took her daughter and a couple of her friends to the Nickelodeon hotel in Orlando as a birthday celebration. Cost per night? About $200 (of course, then there’s food, gas, cake, etc.). She said she would have spent as much on a party. Yikes!

I turned to my mommy friends with all the birthday questions after Summer was invited by a classmate to her first party (outside of close friends). Where’s the birthday party handbook when you need one?

At what age can I start dropping Summer off at the party? Most moms I talked to said 7 or even 8. This also depends on where the party is being held - skating rink vs. house.

What’s the appropriate amount of money to spend on a gift? I got a variety of responses on this one. I usually stay around $15. I guess it depends how well you know the recipient.

Should the birthday boy/girl open presents at the party? I heard both sides. Some say it’s too hectic to open gifts and keep who gives what straight. On the other hand, kids Summer’s age expect presents to be opened. What else is a birthday party about to 4-year-olds?

Do you have any other birthday tips for the handbook?