Quote:
Originally Posted by paperman1111
Other than satisfying the parents' desire to play host/hostess, why does a one or two year old even need a party? It's not as if they will ever have any memories of it. Is it solely to show a profit if the gifts exceed the cost of the party?
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Believe me, I am a person far from loving to play a hostess. My husband can't stand people coming to our house b/c he's a neat freak and gets worried the kids will destroy something and well, I really can't deal with not being able to sit down and enjoy myself with my friends when I have one of these parties a year. I understand what you are saying about a 1 or 2 year old not knowing they are having a party, etc. I can say the first birthday is VERY special to the parents so that is a reason in itself to celebrate and the grandparents (well, my parents) play a huge roll in my sons life b/c my mother has helped me (her choice) when he was newborn to the age he is now. The first birthday, I did invite extended family but the 2nd I don't plan too..however, my husbands family is larger than mine so there are more siblings, etc. I feel, and I know this doesn't rationalize everything..but I feel if I attend everyone elses childs birthday and give a gift, shouldn't my son deserve the same? I mean, he did make more money last year than what I spent so in the end, the cost of the party didn't outweigh what he received in gifts, etc. I just know for years, I've been going to nephews parties and I want my son to have the same. I guess it's like a traditional thing in a way. Then I also feel..if I give all my nephews gifts, why shouldn't my son deserve the same from those families? I know, it sounds selfish but even when I didn't attend my nephews parties this year, I still had to give each of them gifts. They were both being celebrated at the same time. If we hadn't given a gift, we would have been frown upon by my inlaws. Anyhoo, I guess after all this rambling I really have no excuse other than for a woman, like myself who works and doesn't get out much, I look forward to spending a celebration with my son and my family. Believe me, when they are young and you don't leave the house much, you look forward to events that you didn't used to...such as bridal showers, etc. Guess it's a womanly thing! LOL.