Are big birthday parties inevitable?

Before my daughter's last birthday, I only did small parties with family. About two years ago she started getting invites to classmates' birthday parties and these were a big deal--from inflatable indoor playgrounds to gymnasiums to indoor water parks. I did feel like I had to get her in the game and compete with the other kids for cool birthday parties. For her seventh birthday last november, I caved and allowed her to have a birthday party with her friends at the movie theater. They have private party rooms for cake and presents, the birthday girl was allowed to choose and reserve seats in the theater, and before the movie started her birthday was announced and all the viewers sang happy birthday. They also got free popcorn and a drink. She had fun and I'm glad we did it for her, but it was expensive. I don't plan on doing it again for her next birthday. I was thinking maybe a small party for family every other year and a big one with friends on the alternating year.

Hi. I do the same thing. Its just trying to keep up with the "Jones". Its hard to say no when kids are young and there peers are getting things. talk to your child and see if he would donate it to the homeless shelter are ask for donations to something that he is interested in. With that said he is just a kid. Happy Birthday to him!!

Things sure have canged in the last twenty years!!!! When I was little we had parties, but not nearly as big as the ones that children are having tese days. I would have just had the simple party, were I in the same situation, and taught my child that a larger one really isn't needed. If ithers were to ask him about it, hopeully, again were it me, the child would have learned enough to say "I didn't need a big party. Your friendship and a small gift is fine. I don't need all the fancy frills." You want to talk parties? I'm trying to plan my WEDDING with the same philosophy.