I recently attended my friends sons 1st birthday party. I can relate to the fact that this really is a huge milestone, and cause for celebration, but..keep in mind this is a 1 year old who will have no recollection of this party.
The party was catered, the cake prepared by a professional pastry chef, and they had several childrens themed characters show up.
Isn't this a bit much for a 1 year old? I'd say the party was more for the adults than the kids.

That being said...I'm throwing my daughter her graduation going away party next weekend. (Air Force)
Yes I am making a big deal out of it. It'll be held outdoors here..





Not cheap, but at the same time...she's 18. She'll remember. There will be a DJ, moonbounce, water slide...and 150+ people.

Is my party for my daughter more acceptable because she'll remember it or is it all subjective?

How much is too much for a kids party?

Where is that? It looks just like where my cousin got married last year.

I don't think it's excessive for her graduation/going away party. But the catered one-year-old's party? yeah, that's really damn excessive.

Cpl. W.F. Bruce Post 1146 Home Page

I've had a couple of people tell me it seems a bit excessive, but I see it as a huge milestone in her life. Why not go all out?

I don't go all out until their 5th or 6 B-Day, i don't think most kids will not remember their first few B-Days, I don't remember any of my B-Days till I was about 5 or 6.

It's a waste to go all out for their first few B-Days in my book, if you go all out on their first few then the party is more for you and your guests than the kid (IMO).

You picked a nice location for your party, Queen #1 should love it. Tell her way to go on getting into the Air Force. (What is she going in for?) I wish her all the best on her Air force career.

Of course you had to make a thread about kiddie parties today, the day my own daughter turns 2.

I agree that some children's parties are more for the older ones than the celebrant. I suppose it's like a perk for those coming to share the celebration rather than to provide something memorable for the kid. That said, I prefer to follow the old rule of thumb where the number of guest equals the age of the child....until the child reaches a point where he can choose his own guests/friends to invite.

As for your daughter, I don't find it too much. It's a nice way to celebrate such a milestone. It's not every year we get to make a graduation party. In fact, not everyone even manages to reach that point to celebrate. ;)

Yea, it seems a little excessive to me, but then I wouldn't even do that much for any birthday. We just do family birthdays (so basically any family that comes gets lunch and some cake) until they are 4ish, then we'll start inviting friends and doing games and such.

Heck, I'm even so cheap, I make all my kids cakes, no store bought ones here. My son (who turns 2 in a week, I didn't realize our kids were so close in age Y) is getting a race car.

As far as your party for your daughter, it does sound like a lot, but she will remember it and it's your money, so go ahead and do what you want with it, but then I guess that goes the same for the one year olds bday, it's their money, they can spend it how they want, it's just more then I would do.

I think it's fine, I mean the only other Milestone birthday is when she's 21. But by the way Congratulations a woman going into the Sky Fleet is no small thing. Plus it will be more meaningful to her. I don't think it's over doing it at all. I mean I'm going to school down in Florida, and my Home is in Massachusetts so all my family is making a big deal out of it. But hey when does something like that happen right.

I was just at my nephew's first birthday party over the weekend. I think there were 22 people there, family and close friends, and it still seemed a little excessive for a kid who has no clue what's going on.

Your daughter's graduation party seems ridiculous to me too. 150 people? DJ? Is all that stuff necessary? I mean, what makes that more enjoyable than a small backyard party with your good friends? Reminds me of My Super Sweet Sixteen on MTV, those kids who just want the biggest, most expensive party possible to try to impress everyone.

If you'll recall, it's not just a graduation party, it's also a going away party.
I think this will be a great memory for her to carry with her while she's away from home and going through basic training.

I'm with Echoes.

Plus, I'm also not a believer in age milestones. Why celebrate every year after your birth? Shouldn't it be each day? Or is that just too sappy for you folks? It just seems pointless to me to celebrate birthdays.