Hellobee Boards

Keep a running budget or take your total allowed budget and break it into categories. I fit whenever possible. If I have to pay someone to do it then I figure something else out!

I think about what's most memorable as a guest at parties, and it's never the color-coordinated snacks in mason jars or whatever from Pinterest - it's just the overall vibe. I actually prefer more low-key parties. And I try to focus on what the birthday kid will care about too. My LO turned 3 recently, and the highlights for him were:
- Guests (grandparents, cousins, friends)
- Piñata
- Helping to put sprinkles on cupcakes
- Wearing a birthday hat
- Cake/blowing out candles/singing
- One nice mylar balloon that lasted forever

It was not an expensive, fancy or photogenic affair but he was really happy with it!

Why do you need to reign things in? For every over the top parent there's another parent who won't do a party. Do what you want to do. I like to go all out for birthdays, and I'll continue to do it

Pick 2 or 3 must-haves that will require great expense or effort. Then make the rest easy-peasy.

Example:

Effort: Awesome professional cake.

Easy Peasy: Instead of theme food, use paper plates that carry the theme.

I made DS's 2nd bday party cake only after dinner with family. I still did a theme and had party hats and some decor but it was really just singing happy birthday and opening presents with my parents at their shore house.

@abbydabbydoodlebug: growing up we were too poor to have parties. I remember one party when I was about 8, which was just cake and my cousins came over. Then a sweet sixteen. So I feel the need to throw my kids a party yearly. But because of varying financial reasons (mainly me being laid off) we didn't have a party for DD1 for her 2nd or 3rd. But, we had family over and the people *she* loved the most. And we always did something special on the actual day of. She loved it all. So I definitely hear you on "wanting" to throw them parties! But when it comes down to it, right now, all they care is having the people most special to them there.

Granted, assuming I still have a job in April, she will be getting her first "friend" party! She's been asking!

@abbydabbydoodlebug: oh, ya definitely don't donot to compete with anyone. Or try and 1up yourself or anyone else. I just like going all out for holidays and often get grief over it so its sensitive to me hahaha!! But now I get your sotuation.

We're a low key bunch. My LO #1's birthday is at the end of summer when everyone is traveling. I had to cancel his first party because of low attendance. With the encouragement of one of our mom friends, we threw a fun birthday party in a park. It was a blast.

For his and his brother's birthday this year, we'll probably have it at home since we can accommodate more people. We'll still keep it low key though. The best parties we've been to have been at parks and people's homes.

@abbydabbydoodlebug: I'm not helping, but aww... http://www.100layercakelet.com/2015/12/16/adopt-a-puppy-party/

I restrain myself by focusing on what my child truly enjoys. She doesn't need much to have a spectacular time. We focus more on special traditions, but I do enjoy crafting and creating. Parties are a good excuse for that. Of course, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers couldn't give less of a shit about pinterest-worthy decor. Cake is cake, be it homemade or from an exclusive bakery. I find that most of this compulsive need to throw OTT parties stems from competition between adults and what will look good on Instagram.

@DillonLion: good points!!i love paper invites as well. But agree that decor to me isn't as important. I go diy for decor because it's cheap.

Oh, this reminded me of something. My sister is a baker. She makes incredible treats. She loves it. Why does she go to all the trouble of slaving away in the kitchen when she could just go buy a pack of Oreos? Because she loves it. She's not trying to impress anyone. That's how I feel. It's a hobo to me, I'm not trying to impress anyone.

So I went all out for LO's first birthday party. Like, embarrassingly, but I loved how it turned out. I knew I wasn't going to keep that up for her second birthday party. As others have said, I just focused on what she would like. She was on a real Thomas kick so as much as it was not what I would have liked, I just went to Party City and bought their Thomas stuff - plates, napkins, decorations, etc. I mixed in some cuter primary color stuff from Target but I kept it really simple and just focused on what would excite LO which was to see Thomas all over everything.

I also didn't allow myself any "projects" other than baking cupcakes. It was a lot better that way. I am not crafty and projects stress me out. I like the end result and the praise but it was better to just enjoy the time with LO leading up tot the party. Everyone is different though!

i feel like i don't restrain myself enough even though i am far from throwing pinterest parties. Every year i evaluate what i didn't really need to do in terms of decorations etc and vow not to do it the following year. Setting a budget is probably the best way to go.