Character at birthday party? Would you pay?

[lurknomore]

How old? That will change my opinion.

[wavepool]

I probably would every once in a while. I have a friend who does bigger birthday parties for her kids every other year and on the "off" year, it's cake and dinner with just the family. I think it's a nice way to balance it out.
You have the money, she would love it, and it's not a terrible amount of money.

[wavepool]

She's old enough to understand that this is a big deal and not something that can happen every year, right? (I don't know much about eight year olds)

Sent from my SPH-L710 using proboards

[pierogigirl]

I probably would. The going rate for a bounce house rental here is $250, so that's what we've been paying for birthday party entertainment. She's also old enough to understand that this is special and not something that can happen every year.

[nonsenseabound]

Yes and I'd probably reuse all the stuff from last year to set the stage. I'd also make her do her own grab bags (she can fill each one) and do the invites herself. My 5 year old wrote each person's name on the invitations. Your 8 year old can fill it in.

[zeewifeandmama]

Yep I totally would. But birthdays are a big deal to me. My parents made a big deal out of my birthday until I was like 12 or 14 and I have a lot of fond memories.

[Deleted]

Yes. I am having a hard time finding anywhere to do DS' birthday party for less than 250.00.

Even renting the bounce house & pizzas at home is close to 250.00

[halfpint]

I think I would. That seems pretty reasonable for the amount of stuff they do, especially if it includes cake. I get that you're probably going to have some other expenses, so it's not exactly $250 all-in, but still, not bad. It's not like you're hauling in a petting zoo and carnival rides.

[shell24]

Yes, but my DD1's last bday party was 12 girls at Build A Bear so you can imagine how much that cost me.

We are having my DD2's 1st bday party next weekend and I am having a balloon artist and a face painter come for an hour for the older kids.  They are $100 each for an hour.  

I think things like that are worth it. You'd spend so much more at a place like Pump It Up or the like.  

  

  

[shell24]

Jul 31, 2014 15:46:44 GMT -5 halfpint said:

I think I would. That seems pretty reasonable for the amount of stuff they do, especially if it includes cake. I get that you're probably going to have some other expenses, so it's not exactly $250 all-in, but still, not bad. It's not like you're hauling in a petting zoo and carnival rides.

LO-fucking-L, this is what we are doing for my DD1's bday next year (she'll be 7).  They bring 2 ponies for pony rides, a petting zoo with goats and bunnies, etc. It's actually pretty reasonable - about $350 for a couple hours.  

[spankswife]

I would. Sounds fun, and they do the entertaining for you, which is nice.

You could do it like 2-4 so you can save on food costs (no meal).

[Jalapeñomel]

I keep reading this as what character would you play at a birthday party...

[VillainV]

Last year's party was cheap, but a lot of work. I don't see a problem with spending a little bit of money if it makes it a lot less work for you (which it sounds like it would) as long as you can afford it (which it sounds like you can). But I guess it really depends on what you mean by "we can't do this every year." Do you mean you can't/don't want to spend the time or money every year? I think 8 is probably old enough to understand that a "big" party every year is unreasonable, even if you alternate cheap/work intensive with easy/$$$.

Could you agree to it with the stipulation that next year she has a low-key pizza party, then do something bigger for her 10th birthday? By 10 she should definitely be able to help with a lot of the work and planning. Depending on your plans for allowance and money-earning opportunities, I think 10 can be an appropriate age to consider having the birthday-girl contribute to the financial cost of hosting friends for a birthday party (in a small way, like choosing and paying for favors).