Posted by
calamari
19 yrs ago
Just wondering if anyone else feels they spend way too much on their kid's birthday party? My kid's 4 yr old party cost HK$4,500 and I know of other parents who have spent HK$7,000 to HK$10,000!! It seems that if you're not blessed with a place that has a lot of room, you probably have to have a party outside of your house which seems to mean you have to spend a lot of money. I miss the convenience of free open spaces and nice weather that is not humid.
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Well, for a four year old you could just invite four little friends to your house for a few party games and cake, or you could meet at a park. Next year, your five year old may choose to take two friends to dinner or to Ocean Park. IMO it doesn't really matter "what" the party is as long as the child feels he has had a party. Feel free to "just say no" to what everyone else is doing, sometimes the best parties are those where there are a few good friends rather than the whole class. But I admit to a splurge or two. One time in January in a frigid climate we had a "pool party" for my kid's entire class at school by renting an indoor pool in one of the downtown hotels (the kids all turned blue anyway). Very expensive and very memorable. But the next year, we just had a few friends meet us at a local park where the kids played and then we cut the cake at a picnic table.
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cd
19 yrs ago
You really don't need to spend that amount of money, I've never spent more than about $2k on a party here. The most expensive was hiring a junk and doing a bbq on the beach but even that was less than $2k as we shared the cost with 2 other families. It seems excessive for a 4 year old, they would be happy with a few friends for a tea party and a few games, or take them and a couple of friends to Disneyland, they are just the right age for that. Or meet up on a beach, provide a cake, drinks and a few snacks and have a little sports day on the sand. Birthdays really don't have to cost a fortune, although my daughter is 18 later this year so methinks my budget will be well and truly broken!
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With 4 kids we can't afford to spend that much money - we came up with a plan a few years ago which has been working fine -
They can have a party every other year - we have a budget ($2,000) for birthdays and parties...if no B'day party they get to spend the $2000 on a really good present. (non party year the budget limit is $1,000 for a present and dinner out with the family)
For a B'day party - you can invite as many friends as how old you are - so if you are four you can have 4 people over, 10 - you can have 10 people. (but still remain in the budget)
This makes the numbers manageable and gets the kids thinking about what they really want to do and who they really want at their party - as the boys get older they want to go BBgunning - fine at $280 a head - they can invite as many people as the budget will allow with lunch included...
They have to learn that money is not all for spending - compromises have to be made and fairness is required with such a large family.
I went to a party where the whole class was invited PLUS all the siblings and parents - they hired the YMCA climbing wall and instructors, the roller skating rink and instructors, a clown and had a huge BBQ all supplied by caterers - I would say about $20,000 all up - there were easily 150+ people there - it was the childs 6th birthday - with that sort of celebration so young - what is left for the big numbers - 18, 21 etc.. (it was a great afternoon for all who attended but really???)
Simple is best. We have even put off parties until the weather is conducive to what the child wants to do - camping with friends, day time junk trip, BB gunning, ocean park, pool party, paintball.
The sports and leisure dept have camping grounds you can hire for about $20 -$30 per head per kid per day - have archery, bike riding, trampolining, swimming, canoeing at some, climbing frames etc - these are great value for parties. There is one on the island at Chai Wan plus others on the NT http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/camp/en/index.php
You are the parents - you make the rules.
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suze
19 yrs ago
Oh how I agree. We are currently organising our daughters party and it seems that the norm here is to invite the whole class!!! So that is 27 before we start with friends outside of school. At this rate we will be eating beans on toast for the rest of the month so we can fund her party!!
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I have never had a party where the whole class was invited...my children still have friends.
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cd
19 yrs ago
Agree with dimac4, we have 5 kids so always have to watch the budget. I know a couple of my older kids friends have done paintballing or bbguns, and instead of getting their friend a present the guests pay $100 towards the paintballing etc.
Not sure if I would do that, most people I know that do the expensive things share the cost with a couple of friends that share birthdays near by, most of the guests are shared friends too.
To Suze, be brave and break the mould, you really don't have to invite the whole class. For my daughters 4th in Feb we only invited the 6 names that I hear her mention the most from Kindy, which are also the ones I see her interact with the most in the playground, plus a few outside friends. And instead of you living on baked beans, give them to the kids with fishfingers and chips!
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suze
19 yrs ago
Thanks Cd for your advice. I have sat down with my daughter and gone through the list and chosen the ones she really likes. I suppose I was worried that if I didnt follow suit she may in some way be ostracised at school. I have also explained to her that because there will be some people she has not invited that she probably will not be invited to their parties and she understands. Thanks again.
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I guess one of my problems is that I feel that I need to invite the kids that have invited my son to his/her birthday party and then there are always the friends you just have to invite. Then, there are those kids' siblings since they invited my child's sibling too!! It just gets out of hand I tell you although I know I'm probably to blame to have to include everyone. I didn't invite the class, I just brought in a treat for everyone on his birthday. The idea of inviting just 4 sounds good though. Maybe I should consider it next year!
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Kids forget about whose birthday parties they went to - it is the parents who have the problem.
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Does anyone know of an outdoor park in the midlevels area (or close by) that has some picnic tables for cake for a birthday party????
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Botanical Gardens and zoo??
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it doesnt have any picnic tables that i have seen... do you know???
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STUCK
19 yrs ago
I have been to two great childrens parties in Hong Kong that were set in the parks.
One was on the peak just up past Mount Austin Park and before Victoria Peak Gardens. Its a big grass area where there are picnic tables. Party worked really well. Another party was at a childrens playground just off Watford Road that too worked well, best of luck!
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It is a matter of parents to look good in front of other parents
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