WIBU to book a 'pamper' party for 7yo?

[GreatBallsOfFluff]

DD is turning 7 soon and I'm trying to think of what to do for her birthday. For the last 3 years I have hired a hall and had an entertainer/dj but I simply cannot afford it this year.

I'm really not good with entertaining and interacting with other people's children which is why I've always done that sort of party. The thought of having 7 or 8 of her friends at my home to entertain for 2 hours fills me with absolute dread.

I suggested to DD going bowling with a few friends. She wasn't interested. I suggested taking her and a couple of friends to the cinema. Again, she said no. I asked her what she wanted, and she shrugged. I then (foolishly) suggested a pamper type party with nail varnish and the like. She really liked the idea

So I've had a quick look around the internet and found the following:

PAMPER 2)
The mini princess Pamper age 4 up
This glittery party is recommended for children of all ages. All products are non toxic & kiddie friendly where possible & always age appropriate. Shimmery make-up is applied to cheeks, eyelids & lip gloss to create fun glamour!

Price includes:

Themed invitations
Gentle file & paint for fingers OR toes
Glitter & sparkle non toxic polish & nail stickers/art (age 4+)
Glitter make-up Age appropriate make-up (shimmering cheeks, eye shadow & lip gloss)
Face jewels
Hair straighteners, crimpers & heated tongs.
Fruit punch fountain with pink plastic cocktail glasses & accessories
Glitter hair Highlights
Spray of perfume
Aftercare advice
CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFO

So I was wondering what you would all think if your little girl was invited to a party like this, or is it an absolutely stupid idea which I shouldn't even entertain doing, and convince DD that a perfect idea for her 7th birthday would be perhaps her first sleepover with her best friend?

Please be gentle

Catwalk party. Oh my effin and jeffin god. I've heard it all now!

My daughter had a princess pamper party for her 7th birthday. Two ladies came and the girls had their nails painted and a bit of lipgloss and glitter on their faces. They also brought dressing up clothes ie Disney princess dresses for them to parade around in. After this the ladies did pass the parcel and a few other child like games. They all had a great time and I'm pleased to say that 12 months later none of them seem any worse for the experience.

this thread is hilarious, thanks for giving me a much needed laugh!
Ignore the hysteria and have the party. She'll love it. She won't be scarred for life or decide she wants to be a glamour model/WAG etc. afterwards.
I'm doing one for my eldest daughters twelfth birthday next month and couldn't give a shiny shite if anyone disapproves quite frankly. Because I know she'll enjoy it and I know it won't have any deep seated psychological effect on her. We all make daily choices about things which make us more attractive or pleasant looking/smelling to other people and it doesn't make us objects.
How is taking care of your cuticles with a manicure much different to using dental floss or washing your hair so it's not greasy? We don't need clean hair so why do we do it? Vanity. That's why. It's everywhere. It's embedded in the human psyche. A little of it is utterly harmless. To suggest otherwise is patronising and silly.

What would put me off this is how quickly the best bits of childhood go; you know, running round like a wild scruff and not giving a fig about how you look, staring up at the sky and daydreaming, making up languages no-one else can understand... that kind of thing.

All this pamper party stuff reeks of money, consumerism and cynicism. That's before you even get to the question of sexualisation.

It's a bloody party and I completely agree with lottielou people are reading way too much into a bit of fun. Each to their own though I guess.

Even if you accept that a pamper/make up party is a suitable way for a grown woman to spend her time (I don't) it is certainly not appropriate for a seven year old. A seven year old's skin and hair are beautiful as they are and can only look worse by bunging a load of crap on them. More importantly seven year olds should be thinking about running about, playing games and having fun, not about what colour their nails or lips are. Little girls should be little girls - not small versions of women (and stupid, vain women at that!).

I agree Progressive. I never hear mums here worrying about their children climbing trees or playing outside and being worried that they are warm enough. Makes me really sad to read about these pretentious parties for little girls.

This will be on The Wright Stuff later in the week, you mark my words.

Pizza Hut do create your own pizzas / eat them and a load of ice cream if you aren't too bothered about the health factor (tis a party treat after all ;)) and you don't need to worry about any mess.
I have to confess to letting both my two going to nursery with black nail varnish on as they wanted the same as me.

Oh, shit, it will, won't it? I withdraw my offer of "on the house" cupcakes.

(I'm not accusing OP of being a researcher btw - I just think this will be such a good topic they are bound to pick it up.)

see the conspiracy theorists are frothing again
oer what if a journalist or some such reads it
whaaaat some interloper might read a post on a public form
whatever the he'll next

lottielou, now that's a good idea - a dentist party where they can all learn to floss their teeth correctly

What a stupid comparison, brushing your teeth and washing your hair is basic hygiene, fussing about your nails at age 8 is not

Hi my DD is in Y2 and I don't think she would like it much.

sounds boring to me

and certainly would have done so to my 7yo self

My dcs all adore their dentist. If I could get her to come along and do a dentist party they would be over the moon. If she could bring her chair with her, even better.

(she is wonderful. I love her too.)

Actually, sovery, if you never wash your hair. You'l have............clean hair.

I know someone who got the kids to decorate plain aprons (craft) then make their own pizzas. Build a bear is a good one. What about taking her a friend or 4 to the seaside and buying them a bag of chips. The seaside is fun whatever the weather or am I mad?

Lambs are being born - what about a farm? (just take a few friends & try and rope in other parents?). We saw some being born today and it was an amazing experience!

lottie your DD is 12, thats a whole different ball game - if the posters DD was 12, not 7, then I probably would have said go for it too -

at 7, no way & I know for fact it can be unsafe for some kids - it would be for my additive/colourant allergic DD & our friends glitter allergic DD - by 12 I would expect them to make an informed choice to keep themselves from ending up with very sore & inflamed skin - at 7, that is far less likely