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Community Corner

Birthday Bash Conundrum: At Home or on the Road?

Choosing between hosting a kid's birthday party at your home or at a venue can be a tough decision.

Here at my house, February means one thing: party planning. You see, my daughter will turn 6 on March 24 and just two short weeks later, my son will be 10.

Here we go again.

When I first became a parent, I was full of big ideas and an “I’ll-never-take-the-easy-way-out” mentality. I foolishly passed judgment on the moms and dads who “cheated” by spending money to rent out gyms or skating rinks rather than throw a good ole’ fashioned kid’s party at home. I vowed that I would craft each birthday party from the heart… because I’m creative. Because I care. I mentally patted myself on the back knowing that not only would I do it the right way but I would save money as well. I would be Super Mom!

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The day arrived for Ben’s first birthday party and I arranged the food that we had painstakingly spent all morning preparing. There was milk for the toddlers, juice boxes for the older kids and even wine, beer and soda for the grownups. From babies to senior citizens, more than 35 family and friends came and when the party was over we were left with a mountain of presents, hours of cleanup and an American Express bill that was no fun to pay.

After four years of having attended multiple “shortcut” birthday parties, I finally saw the light. Not only is there no shame in having your child’s party at a gym or a bowling alley – but it can actually make your life easier. It eliminates set up, clean up and sometimes even costs less than hosting kids at home! Now, this is not to say that the home birthday party is passé – quite the opposite. I have attended some really creative child birthday parties with homemade games and appetizers, and the children have had a ball (my sister Jennifer is the master at these, making custom treasure hunts for each child). I have hosted both kinds and I honestly can’t say which ones were my favorites.

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Our home parties have included a magician in the living room, a Neighborhood Halloween/Backyard Birthday Party (the little guy is an October baby) and even an Easter-themed “decorate your own cookies” extravaganza. (Warning to parents: If you think the last one sounds like a great idea, take heed – frosting is extremely expensive and you’ll be cleaning up sprinkles for weeks.)

Want some “rental” party examples? A movie party at Legacy Place, hosting paint-covered 5-year-olds at Plaster Fun Time, and one year we blew the roof off at Needham Bowlaway. Some were affordable, some broke the bank, and some were completely unique. All of them, however, made the kids laugh and feel special for the day. Isn’t that what really matters?

Whether you rent or host, make sure that your little guest of honor has fun. If you can make that happen, their party will be a rousing success – no matter where they eat their cake!

 

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