Flashy Parties for Little Kids: Expression of Love or Wasteful Showing Off?

On September 7, 2007, a huge birthday party was thrown for a one-year-old girl. I will not mention any names, but those of you who follow celebrity gossips will probably know whom I am talking about. "A party fit for a princess" journalists have called it, savoring descriptions of limos, hundreds of guests, a white carriage, castle, and gigantic balloon shaped as a birthday cake.

As you read this, what are your thoughts? Are you shaking your head at the showy waste or do you wish you could do the same for your own child? I admit, in my case it was the first. Having quickly reminded myself that it is none of my business what other people do with their money, I sincerely wished all the best to the baby girl. I found myself feeling sorry for her, lost in the middle of all that luxury, used as an excuse for all the adults to have fun and splash money. Perhaps I am wrong, but I don't think she is old enough to fully appreciate and enjoy the party; so then, the party was not really for her, no matter whose name was written on the cake. It was done to impress others.

The above mentioned case involves a celebrity, but it is not only rich and famous who do such things. Every one of us can probably remember going to a party, or hearing about one, that we thought was perhaps a bit too much, considering the age of the person celebrated. I can possibly understand throwing a big party for an older kid who can at least understand what's going on and will remember it later (let us put aside for a moment thoughts of what it teaches the child, especially if the family goes over its budget), but a baby??

This can be a rather touchy subject, really. The parents love their child and they want to show it to the child and everyone else, how dare you to say they're just showing off?! But since when love is measured in money or costly gifts? Especially gifts that a child cannot yet appreciate? How about saving those $$ and putting them in the kid's college fund instead? Or how about a "Dream Fund," established shortly after the baby is born and meant to help the child achieve their dream, whatever it is - when they grow up and have one? Wouldn't you say that this is a much better idea? How many of us would have loved to have such a Dream fund available when we knew exactly what we wanted to do in life but didn't have money to start...

But, anyway. I'm not here to count other people's money or tell people what to do with their kids. These are just thoughts aloud, triggered by a news article about one little girl's birthday party.