Parents say "enough" as child parties go wild

[Ptarmigan]

That's just plain messed up. When I was a kid, we did not spend much money on birthdays, yet we had lots of fun. Sigh. Good childhood memories.

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[Yarrah]

No wonder so many children become spoiled brats.

[Ptarmigan]

No wonder so many children become spoiled brats.

Tell me about, my friend. Kids are more spoiled than when I was a child. Children feel empty and unloved. I mean, gees, spend $25,000 for a birthday gift from FAO Schwarz. Goodness!

[alicia-w]

yep, though when i was a kid, we got a lot of our toys from FAO Schwarz and I can promise you they didnt cost anywhere close to $25,000.

Sweet sixteen parties, quincenaras (SP?), bar and bat mitzvahs; I've seen several just get way out of hand expense-wise.

[Ptarmigan]

yep, though when i was a kid, we got a lot of our toys from FAO Schwarz and I can promise you they didnt cost anywhere close to $25,000.

Sweet sixteen parties, quincenaras (SP?), bar and bat mitzvahs; I've seen several just get way out of hand expense-wise.

Been there too. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are the most expensive from what I have heard. More so than a wedding or funeral. Quinceras are up there too. It's when Hispanic females hit 15. Kinda like a Bat Mitzvah.

[O Town]

This is kind of funny because hubby and I just looked up the web site for IPEZ. A family member is having his birthday there and we wanted to see what it looked like. I have heard its a really fun place. And then we looked at the prices.........gesh. For the kids to be able to play in all 3 rooms they have there its $400 bucks!!! And then the food on top of all that. I find that outragous. I can't imagine it going up into the thousands. My twins had their bday parties at the local outdoor park till they were 6 and always had a great time. Now turning 9 in May they are begging for thier own parties at different places......NOT. lol.

[Aslkahuna]

They are Quinceañeras. A fancy one will have a special Mass in Church with 14 male and 14 female attendants followed by a reception worthy of a big wedding. They can cost thousands and are the Hispanic equivalent of a Debutante Coming Out.

Steve

[Ptarmigan]

They are Quinceañeras. A fancy one will have a special Mass in Church with 14 male and 14 female attendants followed by a reception worthy of a big wedding. They can cost thousands and are the Hispanic equivalent of a Debutante Coming Out.

Steve

The Quinceañeras is for Hispanic girls who hit 15. It's kinda like a Sweet 16 or Bat Mitzvah. Yes, they can be expensive, especially Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. They can cost more than marriages and funerals combined. I have heard a Sweet 16 that cost over $300,000 without the car as her gift.

[JonathanBelles]

i'd never go to a b-day party in a limo, but yea i would go to a sweet 16 and a Bat Mitzvah in a limo. My sweet 16 cost $30,000, (mostly a car)

[TexasStooge]

Some of my birthday parties took place at a bowling alley, but does that make me go outta control? No.

[Lindaloo]

My daughter has had slumber parties to McDonalds to Chuck E. Cheese to skating rink parties. I do not find anything wrong with allowing kids to have parties. But, I would never spend alot of money like that!!

[Ptarmigan]

Some of my birthday parties took place at a bowling alley, but does that make me go outta control? No.

Bowling alley isn't that expensive, compared to what I have seen. It's a lot funner too! I like bowling.

[JenBayles]

I never even HAD a birthday party. LOL! One, we couldn't afford it. Two, we couldn't afford it. Three....

However, with 4 kids in the house, each birthday was a special day for everyone in the house. Mom could bake one heck of a cake, and the honoree could pick the day's menu. You can imagine the pressure put on the birthday gal/girl for the fast food we NEVER got to eat the rest of the time.