Has anyone noticed this about Childrens birthday parties?

[monroecontrols]

More and more people are going 'extra'

So many people who a few years back now do.

Examples are...

Balloon arches
Donut walls
Flower background drops for pictures
Cakes that are personalised and 2/3 tiers
Themed characters coming to the party
Everything co-ordinating and matching

[Johnnysgirl]

No.

[Rainallnight]

That’s not how it is round our way

[DelurkingAJ]

There have been more big parties this year because the poor DC missed two years of parties thanks to COVID. Or that’s what all the parents I’ve chatted to about this have said. And we would have done the same if DS2 had wanted a professional entertainer for his party (we had to cancel his 4th right at the start of lockdown and then we were locked down again for his 5th so a big 6th seemed fair).

[monroecontrols]

I have to say it isn't that way within the family, H or my own, but it is with friends and cousins now

[Thinkbiglittleone]

Cakes that are personalised and 2/3 tiers
Themed characters coming to the party
Everything co-ordinating and matching

These are nothing new, when we were kids we had personalised cakes, parties with Ronald McDonald making an appearance and matching colours for a theme.

Surely this year, if any, the kids parties can be one to remember through missing so much, although I think everyone should just celebrate how they want, as big as they want (or as little) and it's for no one to judge.

[CoalCraft]

Honestly all the ones I've been too have been low-key affairs in the child's home with a buffet, cake and some hired entertainment for the kids (balloon animal maker, magician, facepainting etc.). Not 'extra' at all. Have only been to family ones though as DC too young for them yet.

[MsMiaWallace]

Yes I have noticed!
Also why do people have a big cake done then just hand out cupcakes to guests?

[monroecontrols]

I don't think some posters get what I'm talking about

I don't mean a personalised cake with just a name on or whatever

These are all properly coloured themed and co-ordinated, expensive, balloon arches to match the colours and accent colours of the cake and deca

Soft plays you can hire are now avoidable in pastel colours or white and grey!

[AledsiPad]

It's social media posing, OP.

My DDs favourite parties have been the ones she and a couple of other friends have had, where they just had all their friends at home. Tea party, games, playing in the garden/bedroom. She remembers them much more, and more fondly, than the OTT instagram styled ones...

[RandomUsernameHere]

No, the ones my DCs go to are normally an activity like climbing, laser quest, swimming, trampolining etc.

[Floydthebarber]

Not at all. I've just invited more of dcs friends. They will notice and appreciate that. I did expect lots of parties this year, for dd1 at least. I think the cost is too much for a lot of families.

[RiverFlowers]

It's DD's 5th next week and I feel pressured to do more and more. I have already gone against the trend of inviting the entire class to a party as DD only wanted to invite her friends - and quite honestly I don't want 32 children plus parents and siblings attending!!

It's gone from a couple of friends and a small party in the garden, to over ten friends, plus parents and siblings, hiring of a bouncy castle, catering, party bags, etc - it's costing a small fortune!

It's nothing compared to what some of the parents have been doing through, we went to one recently that must have cost a couple of grand.....

[mrsfoof]

Yes. Drives me mad. Nowt wrong with a Colin the Caterpillar (or other supermarket cake of your choice). WTF are people buying cakes worthy of a wedding for a small child's party

[BDeyes]

It's all done for Instagram and social media.
I mean honestly what child is interested or cares about colour themes, they just want to have fun. yes I have noticed this trend myself. a friend of mine spends a fortune on making sure everything perfectly matches and coordinates even down to the wrapping paper on her dcs gifts just so it makes that perfect insta snapshot
I'm more traditional with my dc parties bouncy castle in the garden, pass the parcel, musical statues, jelly & ice cream etc I couldn't be bothered with all the fuss, faff & expense of fancy balloon arches etc and my dc have had some lovely supermarket bought cakes. Theyve always been happy and had a lovely day.

[DropYourSword]

Tell me more about donut walls...!

[MarshaBradyo]

Not here yet

We went to one today and still normal level

[BobbinHood]

I haven’t seen any of that but perhaps I don’t move in the right circles.

[Whatalovelydaffodil]

Yes!

[transformandriseup]

I haven't seen all of this yet but a lot of friends are having a go at making fancy cakes for their childrens parties and some have been made by other friends or family members so not spending a fortune.

[FiveNineFive]

It's not something we do but if it makes people happy let them crack on

[nomistake]

I think its incredibly rude to show off an elaborate cake to the guests (who all get very excited about it because, ya know, they're 6 years old) and then hand out a measly slice of a £1 asda tray bake or fondant fancy. Stingy parents.

[PleaseYourselfandEatTheCrusts]

The balloon arches, yes.

[roarfeckingroarr]

I don't think a balloon arch, personalised cake and a theme are "extra"? Flower walls perhaps

[bellsbuss]

I was seeing this before Covid , tbh children have missed out on so much the last 2 years so why not.

[FourChimneys]

Blame Instagram.