Birthdays

I am prompted by the thread about wedding presents. Mimi (Veronica`s youngest) will be 15 soon. I seem to remember friends gave you a present on your birthday. Now it appears the parent has to shell out to give the friends a gift.

Re: Birthdays

The problem these days is that a lot of kids have everything and it's difficult to buy a present they would like for a reasonable amount. I agree that giving the money is not the same but at least they can put it towards something they really want.

Re: Birthdays

When my kids were young I did a birthday party for them , home made food and cakes for about 6 . No gifts were given to others , and my children had one birthday presant from me . We played pass the parcel , tail on the donkey , apple bobbing , simple things .

My grandchildren have parties in large community halls , discos for the whole class sometimes 30 children all bringing presants and receiving presants when they leave .

It's just too much , I help out and watch as grandchildren receive far too many gifts and get overwhelmed with the excitement , but I keep quiet .

One g daughter had her actual birthday at home , neighbours arrived and a party held for about 8 people , yet her big party was held 3 weeks later to invite the whole class !

Presants galore , beautifully wrapped , but opened in a second and discarded as they went onto the next one .

Just too much in my eyes .

Re: Birthdays

That's true Susan, they should be grateful they were ever born

Re: Birthdays

I think we can blame the parents for this, they all appear to want to outdo each other with children's parties .... 'keeping up with the Jones's' comes to mind.

Re: Birthdays

I would agree with you Mags, but i don't think it is just to keep up with the Jones's. I also believe it is parents wanting to win their child's love, by giving them what they want. The best thing you can ever give you child is your time and, although they may not appreciate it at the time, they will when they look back and realize what that time gave them.

Re: Birthdays

The highlights of my childhood parties apart from my presents was the scones, which contained a coin wrapped in greaseproof paper. All got one and it had to be opened before being eaten. A bob, Tanner, Threepenny Bit, no one left without a bit of pocket money.

All food was homemade by my mother, simple pleasures and no one felt deprived because it was not their birthday, it would be their turn soon enough.

Re: Birthdays

I agree. My granddaughter was invited to parties held at everything from Ski Slopes to Bowling Alleys where it cost anything from £30.00 per head. Totally ridiculous and as each kid had their birthday you could tell the Parents were trying to outdo each other.
When I was a kid it was a few friends for Jelly and sausage rolls and see who had the worst eating habits!

Re: Birthdays

Yes, I agree with this Mags.

In fact I said to a friend of mine a while back about her "keeping up with the Jones's" and her reply was:

"My dear, we don't have to keep up with the Jones's - we ARE the Jones's, others have to keep up with US!"


That put me in my place.

Re: Birthdays

That made me laugh Mups