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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU and spending too much?

53 replies

Aliensstolemysanity · 20/05/2011 08:37

My DS2 turns 10 this year, has begged for a party at Legoland. It turns out the cost is £350 for the number of friends and us to go - my husband says this is too much money when you add it to presents, diesel etc. Having reminded him what parties had cost before......
Is the party a waste of money or something my DS2 will love and remember?
I really don't know whether I am being unreasonable or not to even propose spending that!

OP posts:
ObiWan · 20/05/2011 09:19

I would definitely do it.
10 years old is probably getting to the top of the age range where Legoland is seen as fun or cool, so it might be the last chance for this particular party venue.
Have fun!

nomoreheels · 20/05/2011 09:22

A 10 year old with a kindle???? I don't understand the trend for buying expensive (and IMHO adult) electronics for younger kids who will not be mature enough (even with the best of intentions) to look after them properly, even if you have the money. You can add iPhones/android phones, iPod touches and laptops (e.g. for their use alone) to that list. But I guess that's just me as I'm seeing it more and more.

I would guess that a Legoland party has fairly inflated prices for what you actually get, but that would be the same at any theme park. I would say that 10 years old is old enough to remember and appreciate a party there if it will really mean that much to him, and you can manage the cost. I still remember a McDonalds birthday party my mum arranged for me when I was 6 because junk food was such a rare treat. Grin

jeckadeck · 20/05/2011 09:24

if you can afford it, why worry. There are very few things which are intrinsically too expensive if you can afford them. I'd draw the line at gross ostentation for a child's party but a trip to legoland hardly falls into this category.

Bluemoonrising · 20/05/2011 09:29

The party that we held for my son that his friends remembered consisted of a £9 spy party (obviously there were additional costs, but the basic pemise of the party was bought for £9) - they got an hour of training, then food, then about half an hour to 3/4 of solving clues based on the training.

It still gets talked about 3 years later, and there was no need to limit the guest list.

If you can afford it, go for it, but it's not always the expensive things they remember.

Original poster
Aliensstolemysanity · 20/05/2011 09:30

I get the electronics thing nomoreheels but he is an avid reader and the kindle is so much better for reading on IMHO and as he has tried it and liked it I don't see the issue with it.
Kids birthday parties seem so difficult to navigate these days, mine are frequently going on spy missions, lasertag, science experiences etc.
I am looking forward to the day when they want to go to the cinema with a few friends (and drive themselves Grin)

OP posts:
TrillianAstra · 20/05/2011 09:30

A Kindle costs about the same as a Nintendo DS (widely considered a "kids thing") and it's for reading books. Much better IMO.

WeirdAcronymNotKnown · 20/05/2011 09:32

BTW is it actually a party with organisers etc? Or do you mean you are just taking them there and getting lunch?

Because I'd go for the latter - those all-inclusive parties are often not worth the money IME - shit food etc...

WeirdAcronymNotKnown · 20/05/2011 09:34

Bluemoonrising can you tell me more about the spy party please? That sounds incredible!

When I first met now-DH it was coming up to his DS's 11th birthday. Unfortunately his exW wouldn't let me go, but I helped DH plan the party - we made up our own murder mystery which was awesome, complete with a detective cake designed by me :)

nomoreheels · 20/05/2011 09:40

Well I'd add a Nintendo DS to my list too. I was Hmm when my two young nieces were given a DS each at 5 and 7 because they couldn't possibly share...as well as a Wii and tons of other gadgets.

But as I said, that's just my opinion. When I was 10 I had a bicycle and that was about it! I didn't get a walkman (showing I am an 80s child here) until I was 14 and my parents felt I was old enough to look after it.

My DP has a kindle and he loves it, so I understand why you like it and I would at least agree that it is more educational. Don't be surprised if it gets dropped down the toilet or something like that though. :)

I am about to have my first (DD) and I imagine I have all of this to come.

sparkle12mar08 · 20/05/2011 09:53

I must be dreadfully old fashioned, but surely BOOKS are for reading, not kindles, they're just a totally uneccessary vehicle...

sleepingsowell · 20/05/2011 09:55

good luck with the baby, nomoreheels Smile I think you will be amazed at just how normal it is for kids to have all the electronic 'toys' by reception year at school tbh! DS's and xboxes and wiis and psp's ......they all seem to have them by age 5! I do wonder what they get as they get older! Mobile phones are the latest thing in DS's class (he is 8)........

back to the OP I think if you can afford it then it's not too much, it's all relative isn't it. However, personally, I would do a more simple party close to home, and reserve legoland for a family trip. I think it will be hectic transporting that many kids and in a group, lads can have just as much if not more fun with a picnic and frisbee/ball at the local woods or park tbh.

nomoreheels · 20/05/2011 10:12

Thanks. :) I can already predict this is going to be an issue as I know I will be very reluctant to give DD things too early... but DP is a) a soft touch and b) the gadget head in this house. At least we already have a Wii, Xbox, kindle etc so those are paid for!

A mobile at 8!!! Confused

Anyhow, a very happy birthday to your DS OP.

sleepingsowell · 20/05/2011 10:14

It's a done deal then nomoreheels. Your DP will have your DD on this stuff before she can walk Grin

sparkle12mar08 · 20/05/2011 10:18

sleepingsowell - I am already amazed, many of ds1's friends have console systems etc in reception. We've never been a gaming household and don't have a single system. Nor will we ever get one of our own. If we are ever given one as a present we'd accept it gratefully I'm sure but it'd stay in the box I imagine - I can't see the point int them at all :)

ErnesttheBavarian · 20/05/2011 10:18

will a 10 year old like legoland? I'd say top of the age range.

I'm not sure my 10 year old would like that.

For big treats like that I limit it to 3 guests.

Original poster
Aliensstolemysanity · 20/05/2011 10:19

Thanks to all. Party booked and I am happy to have done it.
Let hope for some good weather in June!

OP posts:
nomoreheels · 20/05/2011 10:38

I think you're right sleeping... cries

She's not going to want to tape songs off the radio and read Nancy Drew is she? I really loved that when I was 10!

sleepingsowell · 20/05/2011 11:17

Grin haha at taping songs and nancy drew - me too!!!

Sparkle, I was amazed too tbh. We managed to hold off having any computer games in the house until this year - we were given a wii console by a friend at work who was never using it. I have told DS it's the active wii fit stuff only. I can see the point of that but sitting there twiddling your thumbs looking like a drooling idiot - not in my house!

anyway, sorry for digression Aliens - glad you've booked, sure it will be a great party Smile

aldiwhore · 20/05/2011 11:21

I spent around £200 on a DIY party in a village hall two years ago, I was utterly shocked when I added all the costs up as to how expensive it had become... my fault really.

So for an extra special awesome one off party at Legoland, I think the price is fair enough.

I always said I wouldn't do big parties, but meh, they'll get two each in their childhood. Before the age of 5 a huge party doesn't matter, after the age of 7 its not really the 'done thing' round here, BUT a biggy for being 10, I could be swayed to do it again if it was extra special.

YANBU. But then, neither is your DH... it is just a party after all.

taylor74 · 20/05/2011 11:23

If you can afford it do it,if you will struggle then don't. Simples x

Coralanne · 20/05/2011 11:32

I gave my DGS a kindle for his 6th birthday in March.

He is brilliant with "reading eggs" and interactive white boards, but hopeless at putting pen to paper.

His reading has improved dramatically since using the kindle.

(He is currently being tested for all sorts of things to find out why he he has problems with reading and writing).

The school is actually looking at letting him use a laptop for all his work.

Bluemoonrising · 20/05/2011 11:36

I got it here: www.kidsmysteryparties.co.uk/index_files/MurderMysteryGamesKidsChildrenIdeasPartyParties.htm

Basically, you get an emailed document with the training course (which you need to print out for the kids) and the clues etc for the party. Basically at the start of the party the presents go 'missing' and they need to train up to be able to solve the clues to find them. They are in the car boot.

Although the day before my sons birthday I managed to put petrol in the car instead of diesel, so I had to quickly reword the clues to a different place!

There is a lot of flexibility - we organised it as two 'teams', but it doesn't have to be.

She does lots of other parties as well, but thats the only one I have had, and it went down really well.

Journey · 20/05/2011 11:49

I agree with taylor74.

I don't get posts like these. If you want a lego party then go ahead and have one. Why do you need people to agree with you over such a trivial matter?

Lets face it the object of posts like these is so people say to the op "wow you can spend that amount of money on a party". It's a bit pathetic.

nijinsky · 20/05/2011 12:10

£350 for a children's party? You could get a pony for that! (point being something tangible will last longer). I like the idea of the murder mystery or other themed party better - getting children thinking, rather than having it all provided, is bound to be a memorable thing.

Kindle for a 10 year old? Surely better for their eyes to read books, and learn about how libraries work as well (don't laugh, using a library properly is a skill you will need at uni and I get exasperated at the number of students who struggle with this and want everything provided for them online or in handouts when the library is right next door - apologies for ranting on your post OP!)

Original poster
Aliensstolemysanity · 20/05/2011 12:20

I wouldn't know what to do with a pony Confused

But just to put your mind at rest, he knows how to use a library and the optician has recommended a kindle for his eyes (books were certainly not helping), the angle and lack of glare on the kindle is supposed to be very good to help with his particular problem. That and the fact that the book range is far greater than our local library!

OP posts:
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