It seems like kids’ birthday parties are getting out of hand these days, with parents trying to top each other for some non-existent “Most Elaborate Party” award! It can be difficult – if not impossible – to keep up with the intricate, expensive, and often highly-structured parties that are thrown by the parents of your child’s friends and classmates. Whether your child is in school, homeschooled, or not yet even in preschool, the politics of birthday bashes can affect everyone.  One might wonder if the extravagant affairs are really for the child or for the parent?

A former TLC reality show titled “Outrageous Kids Parties” once revealed how parents can easily blow birthday party budgets. In one episode, the parents of 6-year-old Gracie spared no expense for their “princess party,” complete with spa treatments, one-of-a-kind pink gown, flowers, costumes, and more ─ totaling $32,000! In another episode, the parents of 5-year-old Derek sweetened his “Candyland” dreams by spending over $1,300 on candy alone, contributing to another whopping budget of over $30,000.

Believe it or not, even everyday moms and dads from Central Florida get caught up with birthday party excesses. But, you can save your sanity and limit your credit card debt by considering these tips:

• Realize that you don’t have to invite the whole world to an expensive gathering. One of my favorite parties growing up consisted of about five friends at an ice cream parlor. Perhaps save up to splurge every few years or so for something extra special and more costly, such as taking a couple of friends to a theme park. If you decide to host a casual party in your spacious backyard, by all means invite your child’s entire class. But otherwise… scaling back on invitations doesn’t mean scaling back on fun.
• Opt to invite guests to a public space, like a beautiful public park or splash pad with space reserved in advance. You won’t have to clean your home before or after the party; and the kids can run wild on the built-in playground and fields.
• Some of the kids in your child’s class may get their feelings hurt if they aren’t invited, but we all have to get used to rejection at some point, right? The unspoken rule in most classrooms is that kids just not talk about upcoming (out-of-school) parties, so those who are not invited won’t feel left out. Don’t make your child feel like he has to invite a kid to his party just because that child previously extended an invitation. Either set a limit on the number of invitees or have your child really think about who his friends are and should partake in the celebration.
• Instead of spending mega bucks on a specialty cake, let the kids personalize their own sweet creations. Bake cupcakes yourself and let the young guests decorate them with colored frostings, sprinkles, and candies.
• To get some kid energy out on the cheap, consider a piñata. Otherwise, kids don’t need every minute of their day scheduled for them.
• If you’re tired of your kid receiving so many gifts that you can’t even find a place to put them, ask guests to bring an item for donation which you’ll deliver on their behalf to your child’s charity of choice.
• Utilize Orlando Family Magazine’s virtual party guide for your birthday needs, including party destinations, vendors, and more.

What’s the most extravagant birthday celebration you’ve attended or organized? Share your stories with us on Facebook, Twitter, and via email at Editorial@OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com.