Comments on: Surviving Birthday Party Season

By: Lauri

Lauri — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:19:29 +0000

I fall somewhere in the middle. Party planning is something I enjoy, but I’m all about keeping it simple!! I’m definitely not the one to obsess over mathcy matchy.

As for loot bags, again I’m in the middle. The kids love them, but lets face it they are mostly full of junk! LOL! I usually go for a pen/pencil & note book, a couple candies, and $1 or $2 in each bag. The kids love getting the money and they can spend it on whatever they want, plus that’s usually cheaper for me than buying junky trinkets to fill the bag. Maybe next time I should just hand each kid a $5 bill….

By: Brandy

Brandy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:34:15 +0000

I’m an inbetween party mom. My youngest gets the cool/fun location because her birthday is in March and our house isn’t big enough – so we’ve done bowling, swimming & gym time. My oldest is in the summer so we have a pool party with the bouncy castles. This past summer we got a Cinderella entertainer – the best idea ever – she entertained the kids for 90 minutes, we opened presents when she left, ate and everyone left. She was worth every single penny we paid!!!! I do also give loot bags but I buy things they will use like pens, note pads and because the ages vary I go age appropriate for each child.

By: Julie Cole

Julie Cole — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:36:06 +0000

Samantha – so funny about different perspectives. I see loot bags as full of crap that breaks and ends up in landfill. LOL! I do send the kids home with a little something – one item though. Mostly because I want them to leave without having a meltdown that the party is over!

By: Karma

Karma — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:17:30 +0000

Hey thanks for the idea about the kids sitting together and opening the gifts… That’s going to make it on the list for next year’s extravaganza for sure!!!! I’m a Janine through and through!! Hate to admit it but Evan’s cake this year was a thing of beauty (and only took until 1:00am to complete!)

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:29:23 +0000

Why is everyone so skimpy on the loot bags nowdays? That was always the BEST part of a birthday party! A pencil with a cool eraser, dollar store lip gloss, etc. It rocked my world!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:30:01 +0000

I’m a big fan of a fairly simple party for lots of family and friends. (ie. i’d rather have an excuse to invite more people) I won’t be hiring any cirque du soleil acrobats or imported tigers from the jungles of Africa to entertain my crew. I think a little food and a little cake and let the kids run around and make their own fun. And don’t bother coming to my house if you’re looking for a fancy loot bag either…:)

By: melissa

melissa — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:50:14 +0000

Oh, I’d be the keep it simple mom for sure.

Then again, I always had a bit of a birthday party fetish with my own big day! Last year was 25 fireworks for 25 years. yep.

By: Tanna

Tanna — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:40:08 +0000

Julie, you sound so much like me! My three kids birthdays are October, December and January! Once October hits in our house everything gets super busy. I too keep the parties simple. We usually celebrate with family and then the kids can have big birthdays every couple of years with all of their friends. Financially it is hard to do a big theme birthday 3 times around the holidays every year.

If the birthdays were spread out more I might attempt the “matchy matchy” birthday. Maybe when they are older and will remember it more.