[sdduuuude]

[quote=UCGal]On a semi-hijack… when did it become requisite to have elaborate parties at places like Pump it Up, that Laser tag place, etc? What happened to back yard parties?[/quote]

I’m sort-of with FLU on this one, too. In the last three years, we have done all 3:
1) Big party at home.
2) Skip the party and go to Legoland w/ 1 friend.
3) Pump It Up.

The big party at home cost about $150 less than Pump It up after decorations, games, prizes, food for adults and kids. And we had to plan activities, decorate, set-up, and clean. For $150 more, Pump It Up is a no-brainer. It just makes for an easier day for everyone. I’m all for easy days.

We all liked legoland, but I think the kids and I all feel that birthdays should have parties.

Our kids choose their friends well, it seems. Having good kids there makes parties fun.

When I was a kid, we used to go to a place like Bulwinkles, and Ferrel’s Ice cream. That can’t be cheap. Parents would spend about $20/kid (5-10 kids) for games and another who-knows how much for food. Not too much different.

Oh, we also did one at the Woodward Animal Shelter when they were 3 or 4. That was money well spent, too. You felt good about spending it and everyone attending enjoyed it.

[sdduuuude]

[quote=UCGal]On a semi-hijack… when did it become requisite to have elaborate parties at places like Pump it Up, that Laser tag place, etc? What happened to back yard parties?[/quote]

I’m sort-of with FLU on this one, too. In the last three years, we have done all 3:
1) Big party at home.
2) Skip the party and go to Legoland w/ 1 friend.
3) Pump It Up.

The big party at home cost about $150 less than Pump It up after decorations, games, prizes, food for adults and kids. And we had to plan activities, decorate, set-up, and clean. For $150 more, Pump It Up is a no-brainer. It just makes for an easier day for everyone. I’m all for easy days.

We all liked legoland, but I think the kids and I all feel that birthdays should have parties.

Our kids choose their friends well, it seems. Having good kids there makes parties fun.

When I was a kid, we used to go to a place like Bulwinkles, and Ferrel’s Ice cream. That can’t be cheap. Parents would spend about $20/kid (5-10 kids) for games and another who-knows how much for food. Not too much different.

Oh, we also did one at the Woodward Animal Shelter when they were 3 or 4. That was money well spent, too. You felt good about spending it and everyone attending enjoyed it.

[sdduuuude]

[quote=UCGal]On a semi-hijack… when did it become requisite to have elaborate parties at places like Pump it Up, that Laser tag place, etc? What happened to back yard parties?[/quote]

I’m sort-of with FLU on this one, too. In the last three years, we have done all 3:
1) Big party at home.
2) Skip the party and go to Legoland w/ 1 friend.
3) Pump It Up.

The big party at home cost about $150 less than Pump It up after decorations, games, prizes, food for adults and kids. And we had to plan activities, decorate, set-up, and clean. For $150 more, Pump It Up is a no-brainer. It just makes for an easier day for everyone. I’m all for easy days.

We all liked legoland, but I think the kids and I all feel that birthdays should have parties.

Our kids choose their friends well, it seems. Having good kids there makes parties fun.

When I was a kid, we used to go to a place like Bulwinkles, and Ferrel’s Ice cream. That can’t be cheap. Parents would spend about $20/kid (5-10 kids) for games and another who-knows how much for food. Not too much different.

Oh, we also did one at the Woodward Animal Shelter when they were 3 or 4. That was money well spent, too. You felt good about spending it and everyone attending enjoyed it.

[sdduuuude]

[quote=UCGal]On a semi-hijack… when did it become requisite to have elaborate parties at places like Pump it Up, that Laser tag place, etc? What happened to back yard parties?[/quote]

I’m sort-of with FLU on this one, too. In the last three years, we have done all 3:
1) Big party at home.
2) Skip the party and go to Legoland w/ 1 friend.
3) Pump It Up.

The big party at home cost about $150 less than Pump It up after decorations, games, prizes, food for adults and kids. And we had to plan activities, decorate, set-up, and clean. For $150 more, Pump It Up is a no-brainer. It just makes for an easier day for everyone. I’m all for easy days.

We all liked legoland, but I think the kids and I all feel that birthdays should have parties.

Our kids choose their friends well, it seems. Having good kids there makes parties fun.

When I was a kid, we used to go to a place like Bulwinkles, and Ferrel’s Ice cream. That can’t be cheap. Parents would spend about $20/kid (5-10 kids) for games and another who-knows how much for food. Not too much different.

Oh, we also did one at the Woodward Animal Shelter when they were 3 or 4. That was money well spent, too. You felt good about spending it and everyone attending enjoyed it.

[sdduuuude]

Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.

[sdduuuude]

Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.

[sdduuuude]

Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.

[sdduuuude]

Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.

[sdduuuude]

Some Jigsaw puzzles sold at Target are made in the USA. Very inexpensive and usually appreciated. For $15 you can get two or three. Some kids just aren’t into them, but for those that are, they are good gifts. Parents like them, too. Get 24 pieces for the slow learners and the 500 piece for little einsteins.

[sdduuuude]

We attend parties in Carmel Valley and Clairemont. For your basic birthday, you can get away with $10 in Clairemont. But $15-30 in North County is more common. Sometimes close friends go higher, and people who tend to spend money (you know who thye are) do so, but it isn’t really necessary.

Returns are very acceptable, especially when you get duplicates. Not everyone knows what everyone else’s kids like and all parents get this. Because of this, always include a gift receipt so they can return it.

Regifting is a little odd, unless you get duplicates. There is no way your kid will keep the secret, and probably awkward to explain to them why they should. So, only do it if you are OK with everyone knowing.

Have your kids help pick out the presents, too.

If you don’t want 30 new things, in the invitation, let the parents know they can provide a check, made out to a charity in lieu of a gift, if you are so inclined.

I once went in with several other parents and bought 1 large thing. That went over well.

“No wrapping paper” is just wierd. Maybe OK for adults, but half the fun is seeing all those gifts and opening them one-by-one.

[sdduuuude]

We attend parties in Carmel Valley and Clairemont. For your basic birthday, you can get away with $10 in Clairemont. But $15-30 in North County is more common. Sometimes close friends go higher, and people who tend to spend money (you know who thye are) do so, but it isn’t really necessary.

Returns are very acceptable, especially when you get duplicates. Not everyone knows what everyone else’s kids like and all parents get this. Because of this, always include a gift receipt so they can return it.

Regifting is a little odd, unless you get duplicates. There is no way your kid will keep the secret, and probably awkward to explain to them why they should. So, only do it if you are OK with everyone knowing.

Have your kids help pick out the presents, too.

If you don’t want 30 new things, in the invitation, let the parents know they can provide a check, made out to a charity in lieu of a gift, if you are so inclined.

I once went in with several other parents and bought 1 large thing. That went over well.

“No wrapping paper” is just wierd. Maybe OK for adults, but half the fun is seeing all those gifts and opening them one-by-one.

[sdduuuude]

We attend parties in Carmel Valley and Clairemont. For your basic birthday, you can get away with $10 in Clairemont. But $15-30 in North County is more common. Sometimes close friends go higher, and people who tend to spend money (you know who thye are) do so, but it isn’t really necessary.

Returns are very acceptable, especially when you get duplicates. Not everyone knows what everyone else’s kids like and all parents get this. Because of this, always include a gift receipt so they can return it.

Regifting is a little odd, unless you get duplicates. There is no way your kid will keep the secret, and probably awkward to explain to them why they should. So, only do it if you are OK with everyone knowing.

Have your kids help pick out the presents, too.

If you don’t want 30 new things, in the invitation, let the parents know they can provide a check, made out to a charity in lieu of a gift, if you are so inclined.

I once went in with several other parents and bought 1 large thing. That went over well.

“No wrapping paper” is just wierd. Maybe OK for adults, but half the fun is seeing all those gifts and opening them one-by-one.

[sdduuuude]

We attend parties in Carmel Valley and Clairemont. For your basic birthday, you can get away with $10 in Clairemont. But $15-30 in North County is more common. Sometimes close friends go higher, and people who tend to spend money (you know who thye are) do so, but it isn’t really necessary.

Returns are very acceptable, especially when you get duplicates. Not everyone knows what everyone else’s kids like and all parents get this. Because of this, always include a gift receipt so they can return it.

Regifting is a little odd, unless you get duplicates. There is no way your kid will keep the secret, and probably awkward to explain to them why they should. So, only do it if you are OK with everyone knowing.

Have your kids help pick out the presents, too.

If you don’t want 30 new things, in the invitation, let the parents know they can provide a check, made out to a charity in lieu of a gift, if you are so inclined.

I once went in with several other parents and bought 1 large thing. That went over well.

“No wrapping paper” is just wierd. Maybe OK for adults, but half the fun is seeing all those gifts and opening them one-by-one.

[sdduuuude]

We attend parties in Carmel Valley and Clairemont. For your basic birthday, you can get away with $10 in Clairemont. But $15-30 in North County is more common. Sometimes close friends go higher, and people who tend to spend money (you know who thye are) do so, but it isn’t really necessary.

Returns are very acceptable, especially when you get duplicates. Not everyone knows what everyone else’s kids like and all parents get this. Because of this, always include a gift receipt so they can return it.

Regifting is a little odd, unless you get duplicates. There is no way your kid will keep the secret, and probably awkward to explain to them why they should. So, only do it if you are OK with everyone knowing.

Have your kids help pick out the presents, too.

If you don’t want 30 new things, in the invitation, let the parents know they can provide a check, made out to a charity in lieu of a gift, if you are so inclined.

I once went in with several other parents and bought 1 large thing. That went over well.

“No wrapping paper” is just wierd. Maybe OK for adults, but half the fun is seeing all those gifts and opening them one-by-one.

[sdduuuude]

To heck with TG, can I borrow Ed for a few days? We lost our dogs to cancer recently and the gophers are moving in !

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