I am always impressed by DIY details but my DH thinks some of our friends go way over the top with time, effort and money when their kid is under 3 years old.
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I'm impressed! I know it takes a lot of work!
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oh yes! little details go a long way!
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I guess, I'm much more impressed when the food is delicious and plentiful though
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Nope. I'm more like your DH.
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I'm most impressed if the kids have fun at the party!
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Good question! I am impressed with details at any event, but not sure I'm impressed enough to make up for the work that went into a lot of them. It's easy to get caught up but the most important thing is having a good time, not sticking religiously to some color palette. (Reminding myself!!!)
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I am not impressed if the effort and money that goes into these parties seem to be geared towards impressing the adults. I am SUPER impressed if the effort and money is geared towards making a fun and memorable experience for the kids. The younger the child, the less impressed I am, though. I guess I'm like your DH!
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@Mrsjets: Me too!
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I'm impressed when parties are thought out enough that a theme is carried through and the kids are not sitting around waiting for something to happen. I haven't been to too many parties, but the ones where everything can be played with and enjoyed with little instruction as to how to play/ craft/ whatever seems to be the best.
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I used to be, but now I am more focused on the kids having things to do and having a good time. Don't get me wrong, I think it's cute to do a photo banner at the first birthday party, but after that, I think it's overkill.
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I think they can go overboard. A friend of a friend recently rented a camel for their LO's birthday party. A CAMEL.
I'm only concerned with the kids having fun. One of my friends always does hamburgers, hot dogs, and sprinklers for her son's bday and both adults and kids have a blast! -
I am impressed with detailed parties; I used to do event planning, so I know the effort and time that goes into it! But, personally, I prefer relaxed, lowkey events. I don't need a lot to enjoy myself at a party, so less is usually more, to me.
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@grizz: Did the camel say It's Hump Day??
I am impressed. I know that the details are more for the parents but I am impressed they have time!
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Totally impressed. I don't have the time, skill, or creativity, I try to mimick as best as I can
Or will try any way!
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@Smurfette: bahaha! Then I would have been REALLY impressed!
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It depends - the little details can be super cute. But spending a ton of money on a birthday party when the kid is so young they won't even remember it is kind of silly in my opinion.
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@grizz: A camel is so random to have.
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@Rubies: agree!!! I think it's kind of phony if it's perfectly staged for a million photos but the guests are awkwardly standing around the whole time during the mini photo shoot. But if everyone is having a great time and the party just happens to also have great details then I'm super impressed and appreciate the hard work.
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@Smurfette: It was a Princess Jasmine party... but I don't think that makes it any less random. There is a petting zoo here that rents them out for rides, but I think camels are scary!
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I can appreciate the details but I pay more attention to the food and activities for kids. I love it when there are different things for different age groups or personalized crafts. Makes it gun for the kids!
J didn't even have a 1st bday party so I can't judge either way
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@wonderstruck: I just find myself thinking "but you could have put all this money in a 529 fund!!"
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I'm impressed, but for me I prefer thoughtful FRUGAL parties
we attended one a week before our DD's, and they spend so much money on decor/color cordinated everything/ect. and I was so scared my party woud be put to shame. At last I snapped out of it and realized that I was throwing a great party, with a budget, and I'm glad I didn't spend an arm and a leg on it. It was fun, we celebrated with our friends/family, and we didn't break the bank!
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I am definitely impressed, but if the organization and food are a mess there is no amount of cute decor that can compensate ):
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I'm impressed but I also appreciate a good flow to the party and having everyone participate.
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@mrbee: Yes! I think too many of these parties are to show off to parents when really the kids don't care.
For example, I know my mom never worried about special signs and pictures and food labels but she spent TONS of time thinking of fun games and activities for the kids at the party (including prizes for the games). One year my sister wanted a Hawaiian theme party and then created their own poi balls (two balls attached by a string) and then taught the kids a dance with them. It was so much fun!
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@T.H.O.U.: A lot of times, parents will throw a party with details that mean a lot to them... I don't think it's necessarily about showing off? It's just that a parent will emphasize details that are important to them.
At least, that's been my experience... I have been to a bunch of kids' parties the last few years and have never thought that a parent was showing off!
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@mrbee: I guess either way to look at it. I know parents who definitely do things to "show off". Like how many pinterest projects can I incorporate to the decor to show off.
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@mrbee: This was true for me. My LO's first birthday wasn't super fancy, but I wanted to do a few little extra things because birthdays were always super laid back in my house growing up, and I would have liked a little more of a *to do.*
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@grizz: now that's a way to commit to a theme! Personally i would wait until the child is at least 4 ot 5 before incorpirating camels, stilt walkers, and bubble artists etc at a party.
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I am! I don't have time or space to do half the projects I'd like to!
Our apartment is tiny, 700sf. Anytime we have a party we have it catered at a restaurant, farm, etc. I know some of my friends think it's "showing off" but it's just because we'd like to include our family and friends and don't have parking, a yard or space indoors. I'd love to have a gathering at our home if I could!
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I'm very impressed with well thought out parties. I feel like I barely have time for myself these days let alone party planning. Before LO turned 1, I was still dealing with a lot of things, so it took some to even get excited for things that we're everyday life events.
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I usually assume people don't have anything better to do if they spend too much time on a child's first or second birthday party. The kid has no idea what's going on, so the effort is mostly for the parents' benefit.
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Not really. I'd rather just go to a party where everyone has a nice time. The details can be cute, but they don't impress me.
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I think the only time I am NOT impressed by a party is if the food runs out or there is NOTHING for kids to do. Or if I have to pay admission. Otherwise I am always impressed because my kid gets to have fun and I get to eat!
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I'm impressed when the food doesn't suck and there's beer or wine. Easy to please, I guess
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I am both. I am always impressed with DIY, but also I do sometimes think people go overboard for a kiddie party
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I'm more like your DH when it comes to kid parties. I think they should be low key and lots of fun! Fancy DIY details don't impress me a child's party. I'm pretty sure a 2 year old couldn't care less about having personalized labels on their water bottles.
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I get impressed with well thought out parties! Obviously for kid parties they should still be centered around the kid. I think it's very possible to have a well thought out party with details that guests appreciate while still making sure that the child has fun!
And I really don't think that people put work into little details just to "impress the adults." I actually feel like it's kind of an insulting thing to say (even though I'm sure it happens sometimes). I know that the work that I put into little details for E's party were to make the day special. I wanted to display pictures, etc. in a creative way to show our family and friends how much joy he's brought into our lives. It was to share and remember the amazingness that his first year was.
ETA: I do think that as the kids get older and more aware the party activities and decorations should be things that are to make sure that the child has fun on their day.
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@Running Elley: I love the pictures from E's party!
Or will try any way!
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