To think this is OTT for a child’s party

I'm impressed that someone has made that. I thought you were going to say it was decorated and must have cost hundreds. That wouldn't impress me.

Get it now OP??

I know someone who does this sort of decorating for her little girls. Not that she needs a reason but she's had a really traumatic life and her children being happy and having massive birthday/Christmas celebrations is really important to her.
She suffers a lot with anxiety and depression and she spends months in the evening crafting decorations for birthdays. It makes her happy and she's a brilliant mother.

😆As opposed to wasting time posting bitchy shit on MN lol

You still sound quite jealous op, with your “pointless” and “someone else wants to waste their time on” comments.
She clearly doesn’t see it as a waste at all. Why are you so triggered by it all?

I'm pretty creative and used to adore doing things like this when my kids were younger. I actually sold several of my "props" after, I've made things for friends when requested too. Some people just really enjoy the creative side to things. If you have the time, the money and the inclination, why not?

Where has she been gracious? She says she is an idiot about her mixing up the theme but I don’t think this is very gracious considering it is feasible that the parents who put a lot of effort into the party may read this or hear about it

I think it was ott and a bit pointless but I get it, not my choice and not my problem what someone else wants to waste their time on!

They might have seen it already

Some people enjoy crafting, it wouldn't be such an effort for them but a relaxing activity.
I would love to have the time and the creativity to do that.

Saucer of milk for one.

The parents obviously enjoyed doing all that, some people absolutely love craft.

Don't be disdainful, we are all different and you are not in competition. That child's parent may read this thread and feel quite hurt.

Out of touch? What do you mean by that?
If you don’t want to take the same trouble - just don’t 🤷🏻‍♀️
Describing what she’s done as “out of touch” is really quite odd. It sounds fabulous.

@TheFluentGoldNewt is this seriously what we are doing for parties now or is this parent seriously out of touch?

What makes decorations out of touch?

Were they gold plated? Did the party bags contain iPhones?

Imagine getting worked up over decorations in a church hall for a child’s birthday party. Jesus Christ 😅

Hello. Some people love making things and a lot of pleasure could've come from putting it all together for the party. Not something I could manage as I don’t have the skill or interest but I know those that do. It might be worth thinking about why you felt you needed to post something about it. It’s one thing to have a passing thought- gosh this is a bit OTT/must’ve taken ages etc etc but another to keep thinking about it. If you are worried that this means you have to do the same or similar, absolutely not. You do you. I have a good friend who makes the most amazing cakes for her kids, it’s so lovely to see how chuffed she is when she brings them out, she loves baking and they taste delicious! But this doesn’t have any impact on me bringing out a supermarket cake for birthdays because I don’t enjoy baking and it has no effect on what my friend thinks of me. We all tread our own path, just enjoy yours!

Don’t be jel.

Sounds like a crafty person. Or an Instagrammer. Or both. Probably both.

Come on, folks, OP has been very gracious in accepting that she's been a bit of a dafty, so no need to keep up the pile-on.

I did parties like this when my kids were small. At the time there were reasons why I couldn’t work, I’m crafty, it gave me an outlet for my creativity. I really enjoyed doing it. I’m upset to think some of the other parents might have been sneering at my efforts.

I recently spent many hours planning my kid's party (I was the entertainer and there was a whole script and a ton of activities that required advance preparation). I spent way too many hours of my life doing it. Don't regret it. Party was awesome. It was all for the kids; parents weren't there. The kids loved it (they are a bit older than 4).

Similarly, I bet the parents for the party OP went to loved all the planning and prep. Sounds a lot nicer than cheap plasticky decorations anyway. I think I would have appreciated it, as an attending parent.

However, equally I'm looking forward to a turn up and everything is organised by the venue kind of party for my second child.

I think there's a feeling of pride/enjoyment that some people get when they plan/craft/make stuff. I also get this when i make a birthday cake.

It sounds lovely especially as they made the decorations themselves rather than throwing money at the event

17 years ago we went to a pirate themed party, first year of reception.

Everything was handmade, it was beautiful and personal and loved. It is the only party I really remember.

I never did anything of the sort, but I don't begrudge someone else doing it .

It sounds great. I'd have loved that as a kid. Why do you consider it a waste of time if the children all enjoyed it? It's great that different parents do different parties. Some do soft play , some themed parties. I loved trying to do creative things for my kids. If you're not into that, that's fine. Equally fine if other parents do like crafting. They're obviously very artistic and had fun making it.

Right and you've decided to post about it on a popular parenting website so the parents might see this... why?

It sounds lovely and very thoughtful of whoever made the decorations. We all enjoy doing different things...you understand that,yeah??

No, I don't think it's OT.