Turning 2 – Party Like a Celebrity…Or Not
Author: Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
The headline caught my eye: "Suri Cruise's birthday party expenses nearly $100,000."
What? Are you kidding? That's a great salary for a year of work. Should it be spent in one afternoon to celebrate turning two? A birthday most children won't even remember? The catering bill was $45,000 and didn't include the cake (that was another $5,000). Obviously, this toddler bash involved a lot more than cheese cubes, fruit, crackers, and cake.
Then, there is the celebrity birthday party given by Danya Devon, co-host of "Extra." This recent affair, with the theme of BarbieTM, was for a three-year-old. It was much more than a party where each little girl was invited to bring a Barbie doll. This bash included real, live, walking-talking Barbies to interact with the guests.
Many services and products are specially designed for children's birthday parties. Almost anything you can imagine. These include clowns, magicians, and individuals who can bring exotic animals into your home, to renting a limousine to chauffer the family and party girl or boy to the party destination. The options are unlimited.
As you are thinking about your child turning two, you may be considering what type of party experience to create. Do you keep it low-key and simple (i.e. immediate family)? Do you invite the kids from the neighborhood? Do you go "all out" and just bring them all in?
After you figure out whom you are going to invite, you have to figure out what to do with them. Will you go with a theme? Will there be arts and crafts or games (remember, most two-year-olds are not able to understand "rules" of a game)? Do you really need goody bags?
If you are starting to stress, there are some things that can help you. One good site is Birthdays Without Pressure (www.birthdayswithoutpressure.com). This handy dandy site was developed for parents and provides alternative ideas for those who want to create an appropriate, fun, and memorable birthday experience without the pressure.
The choice is yours. Party like a celebrity...Or not.
Happy Birthday!
