But let's get real here for a second. Don't you think sometimes we are placing the expectations a little high? Are we throwing these parties for our kids? Are we doing it because it is what our kids want or are we doing it because we want to give them something that we think they want? Is our version of an amazing party the same as their version?
I'm not saying that this is always the case. I have friends who LOVE to throw fantastic parties. They are good at it. Their kids love them. I also know that some kids have definite ideas about what they want in a birthday party. As a mom, you absolutely want to make your kids happy. I'm just wondering if maybe by throwing these parties we are creating unreasonable expectations for ourselves and therefore our kids as well.
So thanks to my friend Andrea, here is my new mantra, "Capitalize on low expectations." And lucky for me, my kids have low expectations. My kids just don't care. Seriously. They just want to play with friends, have treats, blow out candles and open presents.
Since Sam's birthday is next Monday, which happens to be the first day of Kindergarten, I knew (and the parents of his besties knew) we needed to have a party this week. We kicked around a couple of ideas: bowling, swimming, Chuck E. Cheese, water parks. I just kept struggling with the cost and preparation time involved. I needed to come up with some simple birthday party ideas.
After hours of researching and calculating I finally decided we were throwing the easiest, last-minute party you've ever seen. Splash pad. Batman cupcakes. Treats. Juice boxes. That's it. I decided Monday morning. Called and texted friends, had the party Tuesday morning. That's how we roll.
The Location:
I rented a pavilion at our favorite splash pad, The Quarry Splash Pad in Leander, TX. If you live in Austin and haven't been, get yourself there quick. The pavilion had three tables, shade and the perfect view of the small end of the splash pad. I paid for admission for most of our friends—it is a $1 per person. Cost: $25 for the pavilion, $16 for admission.
The Food:
For food, originally I had planned on making cupcakes. Here's the deal. Sam doesn't even like cake. However, he knows that it is part of birthdays. He also loves to blow out candles. Last year, I made him some Angry Bird cupcakes. They were intricate and darling. They also took forever and required tons of supplies.
Then the Texas heat happened.
So instead of killing myself making albeit cute and delicious cupcakes, this year I hit Walmart. The lady in the bakery had a dozen frozen Batman cupcakes. (Seriously, I love the Walmart bakery ladies.) I bought another dozen for the adults. The cupcakes went straight into my freezer at home. They were perfect by the time we decided to eat them.
Freeze your cupcakes, people.
Twenty-four cupcakes: $12. More than I would have spent had I made them myself. Time I saved by buying them? At least 2 hours. Totally worth it.
I also bought a bunch of water, Capri Suns, apple juice, fruit snacks, cookie snack bags and a giant bag of Pirate Booty. Perfect. Food cost including paper goods: $40
Cost Breakdown:
Pavilion $25 + Splash park admission: $16 + Food $40 (including cupcakes) = $81
So, for the bargain price of $81 we had a fantastic party with 20 guests (Four friends, their mothers and siblings, along with my aunt, cousins and grandmother). Sam had fun. Our guests had fun. I had fun. Best of all, it totally wiped out all of the kids for afternoon naps.
In closing I just want to say, don't kill yourself. Plan a party you all can enjoy. If that's a big party, go for it. If you can get away with it, take the Tracey route.
Stay classy San Diego.
