When did this start?

[VaBusa]

My youngest turns 5 on Wednesday...we're not doing anything huge, but he'll have a cake, presents, family and a few friends over after work...

I've been out buying stuff for the party, just balloons, plates, candles and yet again I'm reminded that a child's birthday party has now been turned in to a chance to teach all of the kids invited that it's not really about that one kid anymore, it's about "what do we get for coming over?"  For those of you that don't have kids or haven't been out shopping for the party supplies, the market for "gifts" and "gift bags" to be handed out as a "thank you for coming" is insane...kids nowadays EXPECT a parting gift bag full of goodies and cheap plastic toys, bubbles and useless stuff...my kids, especially my oldest, now know that these gift bags are coming when they go to a friend's birthday party and I hate that...I've told them that the party isn't about what they get for going, it's about the kid that's turning a year older...

I'm on my own little mission; I don't get these gift bags made up for kids attending my children's parties, and yeah, I wonder how their Moms feel...I have in the past, but honestly, I do feel it takes away from the child's birthday.  I don't enjoy hearing the kids yelling for their bag of goodies, even if it's my own doing the yelling.  

 Isn't it enough that kids get to come over and eat hot dogs, drink all the sugary drinks they can stand, have candy and cake, ice cream and play?  I tell their parents to forget bringing along a gift...having the kids over is plenty and Mike and I provide presents.  That's all my kids need...  

Kids today are truly spoiled...and we wonder why we have a "it's all about ME" generation in the works?  Ughhh...don't get me started...  

I'm out to ban all use of gift bags at a child's birthday party!!!  I don't want my kids getting them and I'm not giving 'em out...I fear I'm alone in this quest and I'm surrounded by far too many overzealous soccer Moms that will no doubt be talking behind my back

 Ahhh, the pressure!!!!

Okay, I feel better now...

 

[yamahor]

(VaBusa @ Jul. 09 2007,11:20) My youngest turns 5 on Wednesday...we're not doing anything huge, but he'll have a cake, presents, family and a few friends over after work...

Man... You're starting your kids out YOUNG on working, aren't ya?

 

[Rayabusa0818]

Some how things have gotten way out of control

 

[VaBusa]

(yamahor @ Jul. 09 2007,11:25)

(VaBusa @ Jul. 09 2007,11:20) My youngest turns 5 on Wednesday...we're not doing anything huge, but he'll have a cake, presents, family and a few friends over after work...

Man... You're starting your kids out YOUNG on working, aren't ya?

I do joke with 'em both about getting jobs for all they keep asking for

Sadly, they only jobs they get are chores and an allowance...it's still illegal to get 'em pushing fries at BK

 

[yamahor]

(VaBusa @ Jul. 09 2007,11:27)

(yamahor @ Jul. 09 2007,11:25)

(VaBusa @ Jul. 09 2007,11:20) My youngest turns 5 on Wednesday...we're not doing anything huge, but he'll have a cake, presents, family and a few friends over after work...

Man... You're starting your kids out YOUNG on working, aren't ya?

I do joke with 'em both about getting jobs for all they keep asking for

Sadly, they only jobs they get are chores and an allowance...it's still illegal to get 'em pushing fries at BK  

 

[VaBusa]

(Rayabusa0818 @ Jul. 09 2007,11:26) Some how things have gotten way out of control

 

Who do I blame?!  

 I don't know how this trend started and the pressure to keep it going is nuts!

I had TWO birthday parties in my lifetime...one when I was 7 and one when I was 12...it's the norm now to have a HUGE party for your child from birth and I don't mind the celebration because I love my kids, but the crap that goes along with it has gotten so out of hand...

 AND, my sister recently sent me links to photos from a party she had for her 2 year old and some of her friends...it was a PRINCESS PARTY (not her birthday or anything I might add), they're all dolled up, there was a massive cake made by Mom...all I could do was laugh and wonder how much those little kids even cared.  You could have tossed 'em out in mud puddles naked and they'd have just as much fun...

I don't get it anymore...princess parties  

God help me...

 

[heavybusa]

hand out tooth brushes, floss, and condoms.

Everybody will benefit.

 

[LCB]

I'm with you on this - it's out of control. Our kids b'days are very low-key. They might have a few friends over but it's not a "party" - just munchies and cake. The parties they get invited to always appear to be a popularity contest among the adults anyway... I don't need my kids thinking that kind of behaviour is OK. And those bags they come home with?... that stuff is usually in the trash before the week is out. It just seems like a waste of money to me.

 

[VaBusa]

(heavybusa @ Jul. 09 2007,11) hand out tooth brushes, floss, and condoms.

Everybody will benefit.

Ya know, that would be just hysterical

My kids would get fewer invites, but hey, I would benefit then!!!

 

[heavybusa]

LoL, or maybe they would get more as they get older. hahaha.

 

[VaBusa]

(LCB @ Jul. 09 2007,11:35) I'm with you on this - it's out of control.  Our kids b'days are very low-key. They might have a few friends over but it's not a "party" - just munchies and cake.  The parties they get invited to always appear to be a popularity contest among the adults anyway...  I don't need my kids thinking that kind of behaviour is OK.  And those bags they come home with?...  that stuff is usually in the trash before the week is out.  It just seems like a waste of money to me.

That's kind of what we do...we've had some huge parties for the boys, but it's mostly to have the kids over and playing in the pool, riding go carts, etc...it's not about the gifts for my kids and I just can't seem to bring myself to get goodie bags together thanking 'em for coming over

What I really hate are that my kids are learning that this is how it's supposed to be by being invited over to other kids' parties...and yeah, the crap they bring back home just irritates me...

 

[Don Hardcastle]

I agree with you; however, my wife buys those little gift bags or she did. His 12th birthday party was his last one.

Don

 

[VaBusa]

(heavybusa @ Jul. 09 2007,11:38) LoL, or maybe they would get more as they get older. hahaha.

I could hand 'em out and tell their shocked parents "you'll thank me some day"

 

[VaBusa]

(USN05LE @ Jul. 09 2007,11:39) I agree with you; however, my wife buys those little gift bags or she did.  His 12th birthday party was his last one.

Don

Most Moms do...haven't been to a party yet where they weren't handed out...

I'm the only one that doesn't do it; haven't in the last 2 years by choice and I find myself apologizing to the other Moms and saying stupid stuff like "well, I didn't have time" (I work, most of them don't) or I have just told 'em "well, I don't really like the gift bag idea" and just leave it at that...

Just my pet peeve I guess...I don't get it...what happened to playing pin the tail on the donkey and giving out a random prize to that one kid that wins?

 

[MOKE89]

I knew exactally what this was going to be about before i even clicked to read about it. I never knew this happened until we had our son 21/2 yrs. ago. We have been to several parties since and it is out of control.The kids showing up get more than the birthday kid.My wife and i complain about it also, but so far we have "kept up with the Jonses'. We say we wont do it this year but you feel weird if you don't since little Johnnys' parents just did it last month.You're right it has to stop!!

 

[Punisher]

Thank you! Finally somebody sees it my way. After all you just invited all these kids (and parents by the way) over for cake and ice cream white the kids play. Why do you now have to go out and do even more to put together these little "treat" bags to give the kids. We don't do that for my kid, and never will.

 

[VaBusa]

(MOKE89 @ Jul. 09 2007,11:44) I knew exactally what this was going to be about before i even clicked to read about it. I never knew this happened until we had our son 21/2 yrs. ago. We have been to several parties since and it is out of control.The kids showing up get more than the birthday kid.My wife and i complain about it also, but so far we have "kept up with the Jonses'. We say we wont do it this year but you feel weird if you don't since little Johnnys' parents just did it last month.You're right it has to stop!!

Just stop...it does feel strange, and you'll likely be pegged as "oh, those parents that don't do gift bags" but I swear, it's teaching ALL kids that birthdays really aren't that special anymore...I was always taught that your birthday is special, yet didn't have parties...so the 2 I did have were a huge deal and at the age of 37, I still remember 'em

My kids have had a party since age 1 and likely don't recall any thus far...it's sad...

Raising kids is fun, isn't it? LOL

 

[Rayabusa0818]

(VaBusa @ Jul. 09 2007,11:31)

(Rayabusa0818 @ Jul. 09 2007,11:26) Some how things have gotten way out of control

 

Who do I blame?!  

 I don't know how this trend started and the pressure to keep it going is nuts!

I had TWO birthday parties in my lifetime...one when I was 7 and one when I was 12...it's the norm now to have a HUGE party for your child from birth and I don't mind the celebration because I love my kids, but the crap that goes along with it has gotten so out of hand...

 AND, my sister recently sent me links to photos from a party she had for her 2 year old and some of her friends...it was a PRINCESS PARTY (not her birthday or anything I might add), they're all dolled up, there was a massive cake made by Mom...all I could do was laugh and wonder how much those little kids even cared.  You could have tossed 'em out in mud puddles naked and they'd have just as much fun...

I don't get it anymore...princess parties  

God help me...

My kids alre almost grown now, but this tradition still works.

We gave them the choice of a party or to go out to eat at the restaurant of their choice and then to the store of their choice to select a present.

They almost always chose going out to eat and shopping.

 

[VaBusa]

(Punisher @ Jul. 09 2007,11:47) Thank you!  Finally somebody sees it my way.  After all you just invited all these kids (and parents by the way) over for cake and ice cream white the kids play.  Why do you now have to go out and do even more to put together these little "treat" bags to give the kids.  We don't do that for my kid, and never will.

YAY!!! I'm not alone!

But, does your child get 'em at parties? That's the part I'm having trouble with...I can't really go up to the Mom of the birthday kid and request that she hold off on handing 'em out 'til my kid leaves. Besides, most parties have 'em sitting out where all the kids see them and scream for 2 hours to get them...grrrrrrrrrrrr...

I'm trying so hard to teach my kids that it's not about them, but it's hard when this is the trend...

 

[VaBusa]

(Rayabusa0818 @ Jul. 09 2007,11:47)

(VaBusa @ Jul. 09 2007,11:31)

(Rayabusa0818 @ Jul. 09 2007,11:26) Some how things have gotten way out of control

 

Who do I blame?!  

 I don't know how this trend started and the pressure to keep it going is nuts!

I had TWO birthday parties in my lifetime...one when I was 7 and one when I was 12...it's the norm now to have a HUGE party for your child from birth and I don't mind the celebration because I love my kids, but the crap that goes along with it has gotten so out of hand...

 AND, my sister recently sent me links to photos from a party she had for her 2 year old and some of her friends...it was a PRINCESS PARTY (not her birthday or anything I might add), they're all dolled up, there was a massive cake made by Mom...all I could do was laugh and wonder how much those little kids even cared.  You could have tossed 'em out in mud puddles naked and they'd have just as much fun...

I don't get it anymore...princess parties  

God help me...

My kids alre almost grown now, but this tradition still works.

We gave them the choice of a party or to go out to eat at the restaurant of their choice and then to the store of their choice to select a present.

They almost always chose going out to eat and shopping.

That's a good idea, but we do like doing a cake and giving our boys presents...this year I see the "party" will be quite small and that's just because Mike and I are kind of tired from it all

We've burned ourselves out already...

We do offer going to a movie or going out to eat to our kids as reward for things like doing well all school year or just being helpful...that works out very well 'til you find yourself at Chuck E. Cheese with 50 other screaming kids

Live and learn...I'm still learning a lot