The Birthday Party

What happened to having cake and a few neighborhood friends over to celebrate your child’s birthday? It seemed like just a few years ago making a homemade birthday cake, perhaps splurging for a few balloons, birthday paper plates and napkins, and getting the neighborhood kids to stop by was just enough for a great birthday celebration for your child.  You know, nothing fancy.  Just simple.  Not anymore.  No, today you have to make sure you have the best venue, theme, fancy cake, happies for all attendees, and decorations to boot.  It is no longer a simple gathering.  Some parents even hire party planners for Junior’s third birthday, even though Junior is likely to never remember it.  It is for show?  We don’t know, you be the judge.  All we know is that it isn’t like it used to be.  The average cost of a birthday party is around $400 - $500 dollars, and that’s just getting started.