An Old Fashioned Birthday

Today I was talking with a friend and I asked how the two birthday parties were for her two sons. She sighed and went on to tell me all about them. She told me that one was a “dragon” party and the other was a “train party” that took place in her backyard with all the appropriate decorations, games, food, and homemade cakes. I thought this sounded great and inquired why she seemed exasperated. She told me that she thought the birthday celebrations were great, but as her friends were leaving a few of the parents said to her “oh, we think it is so nice that you had an old-fashioned birthday party for your boys.” I stared back at her – to me this is a birthday party routine – so why would this be considered old-fashioned? She went on to tell me that in the area she lives in parents rent out different venues to host their child’s birthday. I still wasn’t following. “What do you mean?” I asked. She answered “the last birthday party we attended had 100 children and took place at a venue where food, goodie bags, and cake were provided as well as a birthday coordinator that arranges the activities of the day.”  Whatever happened to pin the tale on the donkey, a good old fashioned barbecue, and a cake made from a box mix?  Honestly, I know I am getting old when I think this, but when I think about individuals giving their four year old a party for thousands of dollars I find my stomach turning. This mom’s favorite tip of the day is save time and money by adjusting your child’s expectations (and your own) about their birthday. Try to remember how to make a piñata, make a decent cake and have a good “old-fashioned” birthday party.  As I left my friend, I looked back over my shoulder and said “don’t you know you are cutting edge? Everything retro is in vogue!”