Over-the-top birthday parties for kids: Are we over them?

All this makes me feel old - I was born in the late 1980s and grown up beyond birthday party age when this stuff started to become commonplace due to influence from reality shows. None of it is for the kids, as they would be happy just running around playing and eating cake and junk food, to them it's all the same whether it comes from Walmart or the luxury bakeries seen on TV. It's all really for the parents so they can brag to their friends and neighbors about how rich they are. So pathetic, save that money and use it for college tuition or to travel when they get old enough to remember it! Your kids will appreciate it MUCH more and actually remember it for a lifetime!

We don't throw my step-daughter parties because her mom does that. She always gets a special outing or sleep-over with 3 or 4 of her closest friends. This year it was a trip to Legoland (which is only about 40 minutes from us). Next year I think we're taking her to the American Girl store in LA. My son turned 2 in June and we just did a simple party at my parents' house with a few decorations and cake. I think we'll probably end up doing the same type of stuff for him when he's old enough--outings or sleepovers. For us it's about making the day really special, and that usually also translates to intimate. For us anyway.

My daughters 2nd birthday is in november and im planning her party for the 19th at a rental hall that her grand parents are willing to pay for ($100). The rest is all coming out of pocket, I got a little indoor bounce house and ball pit for the little ones free use from a friend, a cotton candy maker from craigslist for $25.
Were spending about $250-$300 on the whole thing, I try to cut corners on cost when I can like buying table wear from the dollar store, I got her bday gift ( fisher price loving family doll house with all rooms and dolls for $80) on craigslist as well.
Its my choice to have her party and im sure she'll love it!

Even if I had that much money to spend on a birthday party I don't think I would. I don't think kids care if their goody bag cost $25 or $5 or $125, they are just excited to eat cake and candy, run around like crazy people and watch the birthday boy or girl open presents. I just don't see the point in spending $5000 on a party for a child. That's almost a whole semester of college tuition!

I choose not to conform to what a lot of parents do related to birthday parties. In the past we have just had the parties at our house with immediate family/my sons cousins and one or two of my sons friends. Some sandwiches, snacks, cake, presents.
I recently asked my son what he wanted to do for his 7th birthday and he told me that he wants to have it at our house again with the same people :)
I was going to have it at Burger King and invite some of the neighborhood friends but he said no.

My husands 13 yo old neice, on the other hand, has had over the top parites in the past. She has had a DJ the past 4 or 5 years. In the past - Hula dancers, some dance troop from Ohio (we live in Pennsylvania) came and entertained for the afternoon getting everyone up and dancing, she has had large bounce house parties etc.. They go all out with over 60 people more than half making up of friends from school and dance class along with their moms and my sister in law and mother in law drive all over finding the best centerpieces that go with the theme of the party. Target, Walmart accesories are not good enough. They will spend hundreds getting the right "look" for the party.

My brother and sister in law used to have a lot of kids come to their house for my nephews birthday party. It was in the summer and they would have his friends come over, jump in the slip in slide etc.. This past year it was just a very small family gathering, no friends. It was probably one of the best parties he had, he had a great time!

I think people have lost touch with what really matters.

Very sad Raven! When Iwas young it ice creamand cake and a few friends over. With my son we did that a first years. Now that he is six we go to Chuckie cheeses and we spent around 160 and that, was for the adults as well. I getthe goody bags at the Dollar store.
Everyone has a fablous time.

I'm fourteen now and I have never had a party for my birthday, what a shame! My friends hate me so much about that!:(

For our daughter's we decided on milestone parties as budget allows 1,5,10,16,18 warrent a party.
the rest is out to dinner or special meal of their choice (with in reason) My daughter can celebrate at school with her friends. Birthday's are special this year we will have combined party (cake pops pizza etc) with my husbands friend and my birthday as well (all birthday's fall in the same month).