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

Exactly this. I've seen so much of it

Why why why?

Looking at you Jade! @jaydejenson_rocco the instagram influencer had a party just like the description today

I went to a party recently with my daighyer. It was a 4th birthday part for a boy that she goes to school with. They did hold it at home and it was all very nice and normal similar to parties we've done in the past. But his cake was unreal. It was a 3 tier extravaganza with each tier a different flavoured cake and decorated in a different theme I. E Toy Story. Nemo and jungle theme. It was amazing. One of his mums friends was quite outspoken and asked how much it cost and it was £400!!! For a cake!

In our circle (DD is reception) there are quite a few class parties but just in local halls etc. sometimes an entertainer but basic kids party food, little party bag, shop bought/parent made cake (no criticism- they love it and it’s so nostalgic!). We are doing a shared party with a friend to keep costs down and are doing everything ourselves with a disco person coming in. For all the first time parents 5 is really the first opportunity for a ‘friends’ party with covid etc so I think we are going mad (still nothing like you’re saying!). Thinking next year it will be closer friends. Don’t get drawn in- kids love the simple stuff.

Wow I haven’t seen that. We’ve been to a bouncy castle in a hall and a couple of soft play parties. I’m organising my daughters 5th which is first proper party. I’ve got a village hall, party tea and an entertainer then party games, just so I don’t have to entertain them the whole time!

I work in a soft play and we get lots of people wanting extras like face painters, candy floss machines and characters. Equally we get lots that do simple parties too.

I've definitely noticed the cakes changing. When DD1 was 5 it was all Colins or homemade cakes, now DD2 is 5 there are a lot of expensive, professional multi-tier cakes. Fancier than my wedding cake!

The one we went to recently had all of this and more. They had three huge bouncy castles so that was easily nearly £400 just on those. The cake was ridiculously extravagant, no idea how much it cost - the cake the kids were given wasn't from the "fancy cake" either!

Yes, and parents all stay at the parties to gossip in cliques..it’s new ..they used to be dropped off and collected. Now I have to plan adult food and snacks too..

Ballon arches seem to be obligatory for most occasions now. I don't like them

Never heard of a donut wall.

I haven't noticed this, round here it's all low key gatherings in the park with no party bags to show eco friendly credentials.

I only see that kind of thing on SM where it's easy to persuade the gullible that good parents pay for that kind of thing. #makingmemories

Wtaf is a doughnut wall?!?

Maybe because of pandemic. People are trying to make up for the times children lost.

Donut wall?! off to google...

Wow , back in my kids’ day it was a party bag with a load of sweets, plastic crap and cake in a serviette . Soft play if they were lucky and hopefully all invited kids went home with correct parents !

Well I think donut walls look stupid but I suppose it stops people touching all the donuts to get one.

No, not round here. My dc have been to lots of parties recently and none have featured any of these

I am not on social media but I still feel the pressure to do this to be honest! I wonder why? My budget says no though - probably for the best.

It has been a bit like this here.

The first party of a school friend of DD's was epic with three lots of hired in entertainment and take away food ordered in. Probably cost £1000. It was DD's first ever proper birthday party (as an attendee) and I did worry about the precedent being set until I saw sense and realised that never in a million years would I manage to throw a party like that. It was really cool to see all these kids having an absolute ball and I saw it as the parent helping us all to make up for the missed parties in the Covid era.

Since then there have been numerous parties in village halls with a hired in entertainer. These aren't a cheap no-frills option either really. Entertainers here start at £250 for a 2-hour party. These parties have been overly loud, with music at full volume, 20–40 kids shouting etc. and lots of plastic tat as prizes etc. Some really impressive-looking themed cakes.

It's definitely a different era for parties around here.

Luckily for me DD was happy to choose four school friends and we had a low-key party outside with these friends and their siblings, with party games and a picnic. Thank goodness DD loved it as I did wonder if she would some away wishing she'd had the new big style of party.

The standard for my kids school is bouncy castle in a hall or soft play followed by ham sandwiches and a Colin

I've read every single post hoping for a description of a donut wall. I've got a big birthday this year, I might have one if they're any good

I’m very glad this hasn’t started around us and I hope it never does.
e-numbers, cheap ‘n’ nasty cardboard pizzas, a bouncy castle if they’re lucky, more e-numbers and some chokey plastic fantastic in a bag to go, and if nobody loses an eye it’s considered a win!

Themed cakes have always been normal in my circle of friends but I cannot understand why parents stay at parties and bring the siblings along !! Definitely didn’t happen with my lot !

Just make sure you take the staples out of the donuts before you give them to the kids.

No. My daughters party next week and I’m doing none of that.