Lavish Bday Parties for Children

If you could spend anything you want on your child's birthday parties would you go all out?

I was watching a show tonight called "Outrageous Kid's Parties" or something like that. A mom was booking a bday party for her daughter (who looked to be around 7) that cost $10,000! Not sure how many people they planned to invite, but this party included a band, lavish stretch hummer limo, pretty elaborate favors, etc.

I don't know, it's their money, but I feel like events of this size send the wrong message to young kids, and even if we could easily spend that kind of money on a party, I can't see doing it.

Thought. comments?

Re: Lavish Bday Parties for Children

IDK, maybe if I was super rich. Fortunately, that's not a problem I have at the moment.

Re: Lavish Bday Parties for Children

Unless I had bill gates money then no I wouldn't. Even then I probably wouldn't except for the milestone birthdays ( but I could easily spend over 10k )

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For an average birthday party no. I will not spend that kind of money. However, a bar/bat mitzvah will cost upwards of 10k and more like 20 or 30k. In my family we don't do a big sweet sixteen because we have a big bar/bat mitzvah instead.

Re: Lavish Bday Parties for Children

IDK I feel like I am a bargain hunter by nature.

If I had more money to spend I probably would have spent more money on the location of DDs parties (Christening and 1st bday) and maybe gotten some extras I wanted but thought in the end were a waste

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I saw commercials for that show and DH & I just shook our heads at one another. I cannot fathom spending that kind of money on a child that young. Heck, my sweet 16 involved 3 friends for a sleep over after a night roller skating!

Re: Lavish Bday Parties for Children

Re: Lavish Bday Parties for Children

I would imagine that people who have these parties are not going into hock to do it. If I had the money, I might do it. Id also be living a different lifestyle completely. On our salaries, its not something to even ponder. Same thing with Platinum Weddings. Most cannot fathom spending 10-20k on a dress but if you have it and you arent going bankrupt, who the heck cares?

I had a Bat Mitzvah in 83 - the catering bill alone was over 10k (we found the bills). More than likely, the kosher catering in season made it that expensive. I EARNED that party - like people said, it was a rite of passage and I studied for 5 years.

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No, well, I say that because I was raised middle class.

Maybe if I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and it's all I knew, but as some one who has respect for money and knows the value of a dollar, I could not throw my kids crazy parties even if I suddenly became well to do.

Would I spend extra on coordinating invites and stuff like that? Sure, but it would still be a party within the confines of what I think a child's party should be.

I want my kids to grow up to appreciate and value what they have and not be one of these crazy kids who thinks they are entitled to everything and turns up their nose easily.

Re: Lavish Bday Parties for Children

Re: Lavish Bday Parties for Children

I have no idea since I am just not that rich. but I just can't see myself doing it every year.

although, if there was some sort of calculation we could do...cost of yearly parties in relation to household income, I wonder how closely we would match up.

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I don't see myself doing that for every birthday. Maybe for the big milestones but even then 10 grand it still too much for me.

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If I was extremely wealthy, I could see doing elaborate parties for the milestone birthdays but one of my biggest concerns would be not spoiling my kids.

I'm not knocking it though...people who can afford to spend it employ everyone else.