Gift Receipts at the Door
At what point did kid’s birthday parties go completely insane. I was invited to a birthday party for a three year old. Great, this will be fun, my two and a half year old will love it, all will be good. Then come the stipulations. I have since been told that A) the party will be held on easter at a time that makes it impossible to see my side of the family. B) I have been told what gift to give and finally C) it is a potluck and I have to bring “kid appetizers for 30 and OH, don’t forget to bring the kids something to drink”. What? When did this start? I went to two parties this summer where I had to pay our way into the facility. I am all for the idea that kids birthday parties may have gotten a wee bit commercial. MTV did parents NO favor when it came to putting “My Super Sweet Sixteen” on the air. I think that there is too much importance placed on these get events. I am a fan of the old school, Mom makes the cake and we all have hot dog parties. Gifts should be thoughtful and age appropriate, they should NOT be dictated nor mandated. Why is this so complicated? When did it become okay to require a gift receipt? Why should I spend time picking out the perfect gift only to attach something that says “Oh by the way, if you hate this it is perfectly okay to take it back”. I do not intend on letting my daughter return a gift unless it is duplicated or the wrong size. I was taught that you should appreciate the thought that someone put into a gift and thank them in turn. If I returned something, I never told the person who had given it to me. In fact, I guarded that secret furtively for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. It never would have occurred to me demand the receipt in advance! I never even made Christmas lists and still resist when asked for one. My own birthday is in a week. To date, I have not planned a party and asked others to supply the food and drink. I have not sent out a wish list to friends and family. If anyone should give me a gift, I will thank them from the heart and not ask for a receipt.
Now… who has a kid-friendly appetizer recipe that I can make for 30 while buying my girl her “big girl bed”, dying Easter eggs, putting together baskets, and hunting for the pre-mandated gift?
Jaime,
I’m right there with you. What happened to pin the tail on the donkey. I hate feeling like I have to measure up to what others are doing for their kids’ birthday parties. When this is expected at 2 and 3, what will happen as they get older?
Amy
| Posted 1 year, 8 months agoAs usual, I agree completely with you.
A friend at work is “not from around here” and now lives in a more upscale neighborhood here on Long Island. He has young children, and is amazed at the lengths his neighbors will go to for a kid’s birthday party. Most of the time they are held away from home at a “facility” as you mentioned. I haven’t heard about any admission fees or requirements (other than the gift of course). At-home birthday parties are often accompanied by clowns, ponies, carnival rides and the like. Now, don’t get me wrong, we did hire a pony ONE year, and it was a lot of fun for my daughter and her friends. The majority of the time, my wife plans the traditional party with games, a pinata, and a cake. Those are just as memorable.
I’m glad you’re keeping your sanity as the world around us goes off the deep end. It’s great to indulge our children now and then, but a bigger and better party isn’t always a happier one.
| Posted 1 year, 8 months ago