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Sunday, August 05, 2007

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Comments

Jeri Dansky

As someone without kids, I've only recently become aware of the whole gigantic party/goodie bag phenomena - and I'm appalled. Thanks for a great post.

Kristen

Amen! Having been a former daycare worker, I can attest to the ridiculous nature of these parties. I had parents of two year olds inviting the ENTIRE class to the party (that was about 16 kids).

Monica Ricci

Thanks Jeri and Kristen for your comments. If you couldn't tell, I'm pretty passionate about this topic. :)
~Monica

Having two adolescent boys, I've lived through this already and managed not to succumb. They've each had one "big" party in their lifetime: one had his at a bowling party and the other had it at a local arcade. The gift bags included tokens for them to use onsite at each place, and everything else in the bag was edible.

Because, like you, birthdays weren't like this growing up. It's always been a family affair for me, and if friends were involved, being allowed to invite them over was all the gift that was required.

When my kids were little, we frequently turned down the invitations because I really didn't want to set a precedent. And I think because of that, they have a better understanding of what birthdays are supposed to be about. When they're invited these days, they aren't all that interested in going, and they help their friends celebrate in their own way.

Simple Mom

This year my Mother-in-Law requested men's tube socks for her birthday instead of gifts. She wants to donate them to the needy at Christ Cathedral Church. I'm hoping this will start a new tradition within our family and trickle down to the young children who will be in attendance at the party.

Melinda

Unfortunately, in my daughter's school, if you invite one child, you have to invite the whole class. You know, so "no feelings get hurt." So we don't have big parties. We have them with our adopted family, and that's it. I did hand out goody bags, but it was for 6 kids. And I don't put things in the bags, that I wouldn't use myself.

Monica Ricci

Simple Mom, thanks for your comment, what a cool idea your MIL had! I do think that children at their core have a very giving spirit and would embrace this idea.

Melinda, are you saying if you call the parents of a few of your child's favorite friends from his class and invite only them to your child's birthday party, the SCHOOL will be up in arms? Pleeeeeez tell me that's not what you mean.
~Monica

Melinda

I mean it's written into the school rules that you can not hand out invitations at school unless you hand them out to the whole class. Since I don't know any of the other parents, and since I keep parties limited to family anyway, I usually don't bother with invitations.

Hugs,
Melinda

Monica Ricci

Melinda,
I actually do agree with not handing out invitations publicly if not everyone will get one. To me, that's just common courtesy.
~Monica

Ariane Benefit, Neat & Simple Living

Amen! The whole "give every guest a goodie back" thing must stop! It's amazing how much trouble these things cause. If not for the clutter or waste of money issue, at least for the landfill issue - it has to stop! Great post!

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