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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think kids' parties are a joke

244 replies

Feelslikespring2 · 27/03/2023 20:25

Ok I actually love kids parties but I think the cost is a joke.

Been quoted £75 (the cheapest by far) for a cake 20 servings and £190 for a balloon arch and number stand.

That's nearly £300 already before the presents, food, party bags, drink for adults etc.

We are having it at home. Dread to think how much it would be if we hired out a soft play etc on top.

Is this just the cost of things. I know we are in a cost of living crisis etc. Am I being stingy? I'm looking at £500 bare minimum I know these things can be done more basic but I'm wanting to make up for lockdown birthdays missed and make it as nice as poss.

What are peoples budgets usually. My DC is 5.

OP posts:
BlackBarbies · 27/03/2023 21:05

You really don’t need a balloon arch or a number stand. They’re all IG worthy additions that are unnecessary. Grab a cake from M&S and some Helium ballons from the Card Factory, job done!

Saying that though, I’m planning a kids party in the summer and it’s easily going to cost about 700-1K. £300-£350 to hire out a hall for 5/6 hours. It’s madness.

Also how come people are saying it’s cheaper to hire out a soft play area? When I looked into it, quotes started at £1K for half a day🫠 SW London of course!

Hankunamatata · 27/03/2023 21:05

Mostly round here its cakes from tesco and just some balloons tied up for at home parties.

Hankunamatata · 27/03/2023 21:08

For 5 we possibly had one of those huge helium 5 balloons from card shop then just random balloons so kids chased them about, home made cake and extra tray style ones from supermarket. Food like chicken nuggets, sausages, crisps etc not loads as kids don't eat them. Then small easter egg for each child so proba £50 max

MissBPotter · 27/03/2023 21:08

You want it ‘as nice as possible’ but you don’t want to pay for it -YABU. ive never purchased any of those items abd my kids have always loved their parties. Not so instagramable maybe but I don’t care about that stuff. Kids just want something fun to do, presents, friends and family plus lots of nice food.

Moomoola · 27/03/2023 21:09

DorotheaHomeAlone · 27/03/2023 20:36

My kids all have ‘at home parties’ at that age. I make chocolate cake or Victoria sponge plus a load of fairy cakes, we play pass the parcel and blow up a few balloons. Bit of musical statues, dance competition, sometimes craft or cake decorating and some very basic party bags. No entertainment apart from me bouncing around and hyping them up! 😂About £60 all in and they bloody love it.

This. At 5 they are soooo excited to have a home party and play pass the parcel. Mine loved playing balloon catch and eating donuts off string
lidl birthday chocolate cake is lovely. I slice the top off and put strawberries or frosting and smarties on. They love the candles and feeling special rather than the cake itself.
party bags..well a friend had a handful of quality street and a slive of cake and a balloon. Everyone was very happy.

Bournetilly · 27/03/2023 21:10

It’s probably cheaper to have it at a soft play, just don’t hire the whole place out. You won’t need the decor (balloon arch). Unless it’s a family party rather than nursery/ class party then if you want to save money buy a supermarket cake and just buy some balloons.

londonrach · 27/03/2023 21:11

Why you pay so much for balloons and cake... children don't eat cake at a party....£4.99 fron Lidl for massive cake..local sports centre £150 for hall hire, two bouncy castles softplay and two people to help me..bring own food ..own thing for 40 kids less than £200.... No way waste £190 on balloon arch!

Moomoola · 27/03/2023 21:12

And hananamutata is right, they hardly eat anything. Good recommendations for food! Also pizza sliced into little pieces.

ign0re · 27/03/2023 21:12

You can buy diy balloon arches relatively cheaply and same with cakes - it’s the other peoples skills/services you’re paying for so if you don’t want to do it yourself there is of course a premium!

if you watch videos of how much it costs to make a cake etc you’ll see why they charge what they do… but kids will be more than happy with a Colin the caterpillar etc!

Ponoka7 · 27/03/2023 21:13

As said you can do a balloon arch for about £10 and get number balloons from card factory. The cake sounds about right, but I'd go with a Asda/Costco etc. We did a soft play party for my eldest GC, so the budget was around £500. For a 5th birthday we've been to leisure centre/church hall with a bouncy castle and homemade buffet. All enjoyed the same. Definitely have balloons to play with.

Confusion101 · 27/03/2023 21:14

I voted YANBU as I do think kids parties are a bloody joke! But you are not considering what a 5 year old truly wants.... Keep it simple. Scrap the balloon arch - literally nobody cares.

Not being bad but they wouldn't even remember the birthday parties they would've had if not for covid anyway as they would've been so young!!

PinkSyCo · 27/03/2023 21:15

What’s wrong with a cake from Asda and why do you need a balloon arch?

ladygindiva · 27/03/2023 21:17

Jumbo chocolate traybake from Sainsbury's for about a tenner fed 40 odd kids at my dcs party

Welpthereitis · 27/03/2023 21:17

@Feelslikespring2 there no need for it to be so expensive I did my dds balloons from SHEIN about a £5 for massive arch and numbers, i already had electric balloon pump but I’m sure I only paid £5 for that, I bake my own cakes and cup cakes, honestly so easy, cupcake are super easy I bought a large pipping rip SHEIN again 80p cake topper from eBay about £5-10 (you can even get some small gift for party bags from here) and party bag items I check local car boot the trader stall have some really good stolid for cheap

ladygindiva · 27/03/2023 21:19

£13. Stick some candles on , bargain.

To think kids' parties are a joke
magicthree · 27/03/2023 21:19

Greenshake · 27/03/2023 20:33

Times have changed, and not for the better. I remember musical chairs, cheese and pineapple on sticks and a piece of cake to take home wrapped in kitchen roll!

Indeed- when did it all turn into a money making venture?

Atteloiv · 27/03/2023 21:22

Balloon arches are ridiculous, just buy balloons and a pump in amazon and have some rolling around the floor, or don’t bother witb baloons they just pop and cause upset anyway.

A ready made cake from a supermarket will taste the same as whatever custom-made £75 cake you’re looking at. I bought my wedding cake from Waitrose and it was amazing.

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 27/03/2023 21:33

I love a Colin the caterpillar cake. A balloon arch is ridiculous for a kids party and why are you having it at your house thats going to be so stressful and messy. You will be better getting a party package at a soft play or something

SpringBunnies · 27/03/2023 21:37

5 year olds don't care about balloon arch and designer cakes. Either buy one or two from a supermarket, or bake your own, cover with icing and a topper from ebay/etsy. You will be better off spending your money at a soft play or entertainer and a cheaper party bag for each.

I spent £250 for a paid for activity and pizza for 8 children and DH and me for a birthday last month.

Ladybird2023 · 27/03/2023 21:39

Forget the balloon arch!!

But I am wondering where people can get a bouncy castle for £50 - it’s closer to £200 in London, plus £100 at least for the hall to put it in!

Thinkbiglittleone · 27/03/2023 21:39

When our DS turned 5 for his classmate party it was £285 to hire soft play.
We paid £145 for a cake and £60 for balloons. (I'm not on SM)

But it was stress free and the kids had a great time, but they had just a good a time at his family party where there was a BBQ in the garden and probably half the price.

If you think it's too expensive don't do it, the kids really won't realise, they will just enjoy themselves and eat cake at either style party. Do what works for you.

ChickenDhansak82 · 27/03/2023 21:42

So blow up balloons and get a tesco tray bake?!?! Total cost £20!

You are looking at luxury options. Kids really don't care!

TrainersAltonTowersWontKill · 27/03/2023 21:43

Cake and balloon arch?! Nah. £1 balloons from card factory and £10 Asda cake. That's enough

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 27/03/2023 21:45

BlackBarbies · 27/03/2023 21:05

You really don’t need a balloon arch or a number stand. They’re all IG worthy additions that are unnecessary. Grab a cake from M&S and some Helium ballons from the Card Factory, job done!

Saying that though, I’m planning a kids party in the summer and it’s easily going to cost about 700-1K. £300-£350 to hire out a hall for 5/6 hours. It’s madness.

Also how come people are saying it’s cheaper to hire out a soft play area? When I looked into it, quotes started at £1K for half a day🫠 SW London of course!

Where I live the soft play parties work out at £10 per child and that includes food, drink, cake, invitations, party bags, balloons, and every kid gets a ticket for a future free play session. But I am up north and the party room is private but the soft play is still open for other kids. I'm shocked at the London prices

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 27/03/2023 21:46

Bake a cake and blow up a few balloons?

Total cost about a tenner 🤷‍♀️

Party bags don't need to be expensive either, look on Amazon for party bag bits.