Let’s Not Make Extravagant Birthday Parties the New Norm

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As I reflect on my childhood, I can recall one memorable birthday bash—my 10th birthday. We dressed up, toured a fancy building downtown, and ended the night sleeping in a massive tent in the backyard. Unfortunately, I spent most of that night sick while my friends enjoyed a slumber party without me.

Beyond that, my birthday celebrations were quite simple: cake, some friends, and perhaps a Slip ‘N Slide to cope with the sweltering Texas heat. We always found ways to entertain ourselves without extravagant setups.

In my family, birthdays were cherished, but not in a “create-your-own-unicorn-cake-pops” way. They were special simply because the day revolved around me, and that made me feel truly loved. Isn’t that the essence of birthday parties?

Now, as a mother, I’ve experienced both the extravagant and the minimalist approach to birthday celebrations. In my early days of parenting, I threw a themed party complete with a handmade Tinkerbell cake and backyard treasure hunts, only for my little one to prefer watching a movie solo in her Tinkerbell costume. Conversely, I’ve hosted simple gatherings taking the kids to a movie, and honestly, the latter was way easier.

Parents, let’s take a collective deep breath and step away from those Pinterest boards filled with ideas for elaborate party décor. It’s time to embrace a more laid-back approach to birthday celebrations.

I understand some parents derive joy from going all out, crafting tutus and creating elaborate party favors. However, many are likely feeling pressured to keep up with this new standard. Please don’t allow this to become the norm. It’s perfectly acceptable to host a less-than-fancy birthday party.

With both of my boys having winter birthdays, our options for venues are limited. We can either host at home or shell out a fortune at a local bounce house, where someone is guaranteed to catch something unpleasant.

This year, I had a lightbulb moment: let’s bring back the 1970s-style birthday party! Keep it simple with canned frosting and a few balloons.

Introducing the “Mini-Party”

Here’s how it works:

• No elaborate themes.
• Invite just two to three close friends.
• Let your child choose a fun location.
• Grab some inexpensive snacks afterward.

And guess what? No party favor bags! Just enjoying time with friends should be enough of a treat for kids.

This approach has worked wonders for my boys. Their friends brought a few simple gifts (which was totally optional), and I covered the costs. With fewer guests, it’s a more affordable way to celebrate without the hefty birthday party fees.

If you find yourself hovering over that “Pin it” button, contemplating how to craft a T. rex from cupcake liners, just remember the chaos of your last extravagant party. Your sanity isn’t worth creating individual tiki torches for each child!

Let’s band together to simplify this process. Grab a sheet cake or some cupcakes from the bakery, wrap a couple of gifts for the birthday kid, and let the kids plan the fun while you relax with a book until they tire themselves out.

After all, your child doesn’t care if you create fishing rod pretzels; they just want to indulge in sweets and feel loved—and you can achieve that without the stress.

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Summary:

Extravagant birthday parties shouldn’t be the new normal. Simple celebrations focusing on love and fun are more meaningful. Embracing minimalism can ease the stress of planning and make birthdays enjoyable for both kids and parents.