https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:20:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you/page/2#post-2000881 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 10:47:56 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2000881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Negative 8. I put some effort into my wedding and the best times I had there were the unplanned after party and hanging with my girls beforehand, so I decided then and there that planning and fanfare weren't for me. My son turns one in March and the plan is to hire a private room in our favourite restaurant and have a nice lunch. No decorations, no games, texting ppl to invite. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you/page/2#post-2000852 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 10:28:56 +0000 yoursilverlining 2000852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted myself as a 5, but I don’t think of myself as a “zilla”-anything because I do all the work myself and don’t act like a biatch to anyone!</p> <p>I like themed foods and menu planning (and like cooking and doing all that myself), I like having a theme of sorts and finding things/decorations that fit that theme, I like picking out lovely paper invites and making DIY stuff for parties - - basically, I just really like hosting parties. That’s the reason I do what I do for LO’s parties; because *I* like to do those things. I definitely don’t assume everyone else will do the same things I do, and don’t judge if they don’t! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you/page/2#post-2000820 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 10:04:59 +0000 photojane 2000820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 4. I put a lot of thought and effort into party planning, but they never turn out like I imagine. Definitely not pin-worthy. I do always stick to a budget! I always, always do a paper invitation. If I was rich, I would be a 5, no question. :silly: </p> <p>I think in the future separate parties might be the way to go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you/page/2#post-2000795 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:41:20 +0000 MapleMoose 2000795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a guest to the party I would prefer getting a regular paper invitation. I don't see anything wrong with having a theme either. I enjoyed creating a Pinterest board for my daughter's 1st birthday party and buying/making decor based on my vision. I had a mix of cooked and catered food. I didn't worry about activities because LO wasn't old enough, there weren't any other young children there and adults can handle socializing on their own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you/page/2#post-2000766 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:27:34 +0000 LuLu Mom 2000766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a 3, I'm like your friend and insist on paper invites (I too like to keep them) and like to have a theme, but am cheap so I keep that in mind when planning a party. I think décor brings it together, even if it's just bright colored plastic table cloths and some balloons. Otherwise I feel like it feels "unfinished." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000731 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:08:53 +0000 Mae 2000731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm probably a 3-wanna-be-5. I like the idea of going all out (at least for 1st birthday, for later birthdays probably 3 or 4 until she was old enough to remember), but I'm sort of cheap and practical and so I don't think I actually WILL go all out, I'd probably take a middle road. </p> <p>For future though-- could you maybe talk to your friend about either doing parties on separate weekends or alternating years? When I was growing up my bff had a birthday 4 days after mine so we/our parents agreed to alternate years having parties for our friends (Other years we'd just have a small family gathering). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000710 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 08:53:33 +0000 edelweiss 2000710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'm somewhere between a 1 or 2. for LO's first birthday, we just had grandparents and an aunt, cupcakes, and a paperless post invitation. LO's second birthday is coming up in less than a month and i haven't thought about it. i imagine that when he gets older i'll be willing to go slightly more into party mode, but not a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000672 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 08:12:23 +0000 illumina 2000672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've only done one party so far, but I'd say it was probably a 4. I chose a theme, scoured Pinterest for ideas, handmade matching decorations, had a cake made etc. etc. Honestly, I enjoyed doing it and have already started thinking up ideas for LO's 2nd birthday! My Mum used to do the same for my parties and I loved it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000605 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 04:23:58 +0000 Cherrybee 2000605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the spray-painted pony, Willy Wonka wonderland, all adults must paint themselves blue like Smurfs, hire in a golden goose kind! My DH is a 2. Its tense.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000578 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 01:35:02 +0000 anonysquire 2000578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll admit that I'm a 6. No shame. Sounds like you should break off and do separate parties if you guys are that different. I would think someone was joking if they suggested that I use an evite. And sometimes we have themes here for our Outfits going to the grocery store, so I'm no help. But happy birthday!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000574 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 01:27:37 +0000 irene 2000574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: LOL !!! Oh I am so with you!</p> <p>So much fun reading all the responses! What I want to hear from are the "6"s...! And the 5-6 please share your pics of your beautiful pinterest-worthy parties! I really appreciate beautifully executed parties, but I just personally prefer to opt out on doing them for my child's birthday.</p> <p>@wonderstruck: I didn't write out everything that was bothering me. Other than the expectation mismatch and felt being forced to be responsible for things that I didn't even want, I felt being disrespected because she kept pushing me to drop things that I wanted (eg. I do not want Thomas the train and felt quite strongly about it, but she would keep pushing it back on the table and say the only train decor available was Thomas, when I didn't even care if we had a train theme, or decor. Or, I would want to invite one of LO's friends at school which her LO is good friends with too, but she kept wanting me to drop it because she didn't like their parents, or I am not quite understanding why. And she started saying borderline mean things about them. This was only two of a few things that happened the past 2 days) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000561 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 00:54:04 +0000 lemondrop 2000561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do negative numbers count? How about 0? I avoid them like the plague- I invite grandparents and aunt/uncle and call it good. Keeping it small means we go out to brunch and back to the house for cupcakes and gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000557 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 00:37:49 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2000557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a 4.</p> <p>I don't have the budget for everything to be like amazing straight from pinterest, but I do get expensive nice invites, try to have a cohesive theme, nice food, lots of decor and a backdrop for the food table. I definitely wouldn't do a evite and wouldnt throw a party without decor.</p> <p>I usually diy lots of stuff though too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000555 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 00:35:44 +0000 wonderstruck 2000555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's cute to have stuff match, but I'm not going to go crazy DIYing, designing, or doing fancy decorations or something. But it's not much of an effort to pick a color scheme or theme and have the cake/plates/napkins/etc match it. LO's first birthday was Mickey Mouse, so I went to th party store and got some cute Mickey stuff, had some ears on his cake, and served hot dogs to match the song. And it was a pretty small party with our immediate families only. I thought that was pretty simple but from your description it's partyzilla because of the Mickey stuff, I guess. I see that more as just a difference in preference. </p> <p>On the other hand, the children's museum thing is way too over the top for my party planning style! Definitely not in the budget for us.</p> <p>But regardless of all that, I don't really understand being very angry over her wanting to have some decor and a theme with paper invites. If you don't have time to design invites, tell her and you guys can just pick something online or in store or whatever. If you don't like the theme she has picked, tell her you're not into it. But being very angry that someone wants a theme and cares what the cake tastes like seems like a waste of energy and just kind of silly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000466 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 22:15:44 +0000 Andrea 2000466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I vote 4. I definitely put in a lot of effort comparatively. We've gone to a lot of bday parties and people are mostly very low key around here. I enjoy having some elements that are a bit different and special, if I can, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000461 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 22:12:06 +0000 mrsjyw 2000461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted a three. I like decorating, themes, invited, etc. That being said I threw a party for ds' first bday and we didn't have a big party for his second. (Just family - no invites, simple balloons, no theme) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000455 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 22:06:57 +0000 Anagram 2000455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a 2-3. I like pretty decorations and nice food, but I am a major procrastinator and it's guaranteed that I will not buy or plan a thing until the week of.</p> <p>So planning a joint party would be a disaster for me, because most people are major planners (way in advance) and I kind of like to make game day decisions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000192 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:01:26 +0000 blackbird 2000192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was probably a 5 for her first bday and probably a 3 otherwise. Catered food, all out treats, rented tables and crap. But if I threw a party with a friend, I would either take it upon myself to do the extra things I like or I would tone it down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000141 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 18:26:04 +0000 FannyMae 2000141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm kind of half-half. I did nice invites, but didn't bother much with decorations other than baloons. Our parties have been mainly about our family getting together, so I'm not really interested in entertaining the kids, I'd rather make sure the adults get some nice food/drink and have a good time. The kids can entertain themselves!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000136 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 18:22:25 +0000 cascademom 2000136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm probably about a 3 or so on party planning. I love paper invites. We've thrown LO's birthday parties at my parents' house to make it easier for family to visit. It may change when it becomes more kid friend oriented. For his second birthday party, we invited a couple of longtime friends and their kids. Those kids coupled with my brother's kids and LO made for a nice party. </p> <p>Probably our biggest party planned party was his baptism. We held it at our home and invited a bunch of friends and family. It didn't require much planning, but definitely took time to order catering, etc. For us, it was our biggest party to date since having LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000130 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 18:20:29 +0000 Corduroy 2000130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 2 but I'm really a 1.5 and trying to decide if I should have a 2nd birthday for LO. I did Evites for her first birthday. We had a party at home using real plates. LOs dress had balloons on it so I bought some balloons and told myself that was the theme. Honestly it was way too stressful for me. I am not the hostess with the mostess.</p> <p>I'm surprised to see so many paper invite aficionados on this thread. I think we've received one paper invite (from a mom that had an invitation business) and probably 20+ electronic invites. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000126 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 18:16:47 +0000 cait 2000126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like paper invites and some pretty decorations and a theme if LO wants something particular, but I don't overwhelm myself, I think kids really do not care as long as there is cake. I get why she wants these things but it seems rude to just tell you to design an invite, etc. If the flare is more important to her, she should take the lead on those elements while you maybe handle the more practical parts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000121 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 18:14:30 +0000 shopaholic 2000121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm probably about a 4. Though we've only thrown a [big] 1st birthday party so far. Planning a 2nd one and trying hard not to go nuts and try to keep up with Pinterest parties (though the parties we go to usually are quite all-out!)</p> <p>Sounds like a tough situation. I'd say if you can do some small things, maybe let her take the lead on everything else she'd like to do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000116 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 18:10:54 +0000 autumnlove 2000116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like parties and I think I'm somewhere in the middle. We always mail invites and my kids definitely love other LO's bday invites on our fridge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000111 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 18:07:58 +0000 looch 2000111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have gone to a fair amount of kid parties. They're all the same, the first is a big blowout with paper invites, coordinated paper stuff, food, games, party favors, etc. Then, around the third year, the kids start to have a preference of the theme and you start to see the ready made stuff appearing. By the time they are 5, the activities are the big thing, you really need to have something to occupy the kids, and you basically are doing paper plates and maybe a themed cake.</p> <p>As for me, I aim for simple, like 1. I used to want the scrapbookable party, but I don't even scrapbook! I aim to please my son, he'd love to have a party in the backyard and have everyone running around in an obstacle course. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000051 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:23:48 +0000 avivoca 2000051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always do paper invites because I love stationary. However, I kind of hate party planning, so I voted a 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000047 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:21:03 +0000 wheres_c 2000047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No writes! Always paper. Needs a theme and decor but doesn't need to be expensive. I voted myself a 5 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-2000002 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 16:47:07 +0000 sunny 2000002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always do Evites/Paperless Post. For LO's first 2 birthdays, we catered food and did the party at home. We had a few decorations but nothing Pinterest worthy. The first year, I reused Sandy's pompoms and the second year I made some simple garlands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-1999992 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 16:39:41 +0000 NovBaby1112 1999992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lol between a 1 and a 2. I texted people for LOs 2nd bday party invite https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-birthday-parties-what-kind-of-mom-partyzilla-are-you#post-1999990 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 16:39:26 +0000 meredithNYC 1999990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'm like a 3. I love evites - particularly Paperless Post ones. They're so beautiful! So I do those, and for the past two birthdays we have just done an outdoor bbq kind of deal (LO's b-day is May 26th). Not sure what I'll do as LO gets older and wants more input. For example, she already wants a Peppa Pig birthday. Which, okay, not totally my style, but it should be pretty doable. </p>