Where to Celebrate Children's Birthday Parties
7:29 AM
A child's birthday is always special. If parents can have their way, every year will be marked with much celebration and fun. The reality of today's life however, has made it impossible to hold extravagant parties. Fortunately, there are other options available to parents who wish to push through with a celebration just the same.
The Fast-Food Option
Birthdays, no matter how small a celebration necessitate preparation. The busy schedules of working parents or even stay-at-home parents loaded with other responsibilities tend to push them towards the most convenient option which is paying for a venue to provide the food, the party place, and other birthday celebration requirements. In the Philippine setting, it is usually a toss up between McDonald's and Jollibee. Although there are other similar party venue options, none so far has managed to come near these two front-runners.
The main advantage of choosing this option is that it is readily accepted by the birthday celebrant and the young visitors as well. Partly due to active marketing efforts of fast-food chains that offer this service, children relish the familiarity with the food, the activities, and the token mascot appearance. This is the usual preferred option for children aged 1 to 7.
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The Action-Filled Option
Older children usually look for more activities in a birthday celebration. Children aged 8 to 12 are no longer as keen to participate in childish games conducted in kiddie parties. They are looking for more grown-up activities that can be offered by water parks, amusement parks, and other outdoor and indoor entertainment venues located in malls and various commercial establishments. Venues that easily come to mind include Splash Island, Enchanted Kingdom, and LazerXtreme.
These entertainment venues can offer interesting activities such as skating, bowling, and laser tag aside from swimming and exciting rides. Older children enjoy this option more because of the variety of activities made available to guests. It should be noted however that the cost that is expected to be incurred for this option will be higher because of the facilities made available to guests.
The Home Option
Who says a child cannot hold an enjoyable party at home? This is an option that is always available unless home space does not allow it. The first requirement in this option is to have a physical space that can accommodate the desired number of guests. When this is not possible, one possible option is to rent a party venue in the activity area found in most residential villages today. Still another option is to ask permission from a relative to use their house that can accommodate guests.
This option requires parents to be more creative and resourceful in dressing up the place to be a suitable party area. Food preparation is another major concern for parties held at home. Many choose to do it halfway by ordering food from restaurants and holding the party at home. The main advantage in this option is that more guests can be accommodated since payment per head is not required. The main setback is the amount of physical effort required to hold a successful party since all the responsibilities fall on the one giving out the party.
Like in all things, there are advantages and disadvantages to each option available. It is up to the one holding the party to decide which advantage they cannot forego and which disadvantage they cannot accept. Many exciting children's parties have been created by unlimited budget but I know for a fact that a memorable children's party can be created by unlimited creativity in a shoestring budget. We will just have to make it happen for our children.
My youngest child didn't have the chance to have a party for her 7th birthday which is considered a milestone in a child's life. Never the less, we made sure that it did not pass like any ordinary day. She still had her special day with a "party" of four with just our own family in attendance. She got seven small gifts for every year of her age and we watched a movie after. Her pronouncement that it was the happiest day of her life made everything worth it.
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29 comments
Food chain option will have more fun but with limited guests. Home option is an ideal set up.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with the home option for intimate family gatherings and the fastfood options for affordable birthday packages.
ReplyDeleteI have tried home option which I find a little bit tiring specially when you are holding a big party, I have tried fast food chain which PAPALENG is right guests are limited but my daughter had such fun. I have tried both in one day and it is horrendous! Wont do it again me self! hahahahaahah
ReplyDeletei have tried all of the above mentioned options, they have advantages and disadvantages ,it just all depends on us to choose.
ReplyDeletedepends. sometimes got to follow the kid's wishes. if he wants fastfood, give them fastfood.
ReplyDeleteI tried all of the options listed above. It really depends on our budget.
ReplyDeleteIt's always been the Home Option for us especially for my younger siblings.. Not only do we get to make their celebration more personal, we also get to spend within our means. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you have the BUDGET, why not celebrate the occasion in a rented place or fast food restaurants with great packages but if you want simple and more intimate... the event is best in the comforts of our HOME.
ReplyDeleteMy baby will turn a one year this December, thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteI think the fastfood option is even the cheapest and the package is already complete. because when it is at home, the ideas just keep flowing on what you want to do and add then you realized you are way above your original budget. you are also always pressured not to send home the guests 'bitin' with the food (filipino culture). there are also a lot of coordination to handle. :P
ReplyDeleteanyway, i am speaking with 'lazy-mode'...
We always go for the HOME option. It was more fun and there is no place like home.
ReplyDeleteOur son's 2nd birthday was in a fast-food option for one reason. Comfort..! Or laziness perhaps? lol
ReplyDeletebirthday party has become a tradition to be celebrated in extravagant ways ... but i think a simple gathering of family for a dinner would be nice on my end ...
ReplyDeleteAs a parent, I've tried all three birthday venues listed here So far, my child's favorite is the adventure-packed option.
ReplyDeletehere in singapore we always this barbecue parties for any occasions though it changes this year so a lot of options like this as well! xx
ReplyDeleteWe should always celebrate birthday especially for the kids no matter how. We tried celebrating my child's birthday at home, food chain, restaurant and this year our plan is in school. We are excited.
ReplyDeleteMommy Jem of Experience of a Super Mommy
You have a very beautiful daughter...oftentimes, the simple celebrations are the most memorable ones.
ReplyDeletewhen that day comes, i'll always start from our true home, the Church then all those places we can think of.
ReplyDeleteAll of my birthdays were celebrated at home. But now that I am a parent and Jollibee is just one hour away, my aon experienced all of the birthday venues mentioned above
ReplyDeleteI love organizing birthday parties and I discovered my passion for it when I had my baby.
ReplyDeleteBirthday celebrations don't have to be big nor lucrative for it to be enjoyed by the celebrant. The mere presence of the family is more important plus the birthday cake.
We celebrated my daughter's first birthday at Jollibee. You can never go wrong with a Jollibee party.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about going to some places to celebrate my child's birth. However, I thought it was a little much being that he is turning 7. I decided on having a party for him at the house. We made goodie-bags and hired a Magician Perth. It was so much fun, the kids had a great time. It made our lives so much easier because we didn't have to worry about kids wandering off and strangers. I recommend the home-party to anyone who is considering.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting question because the selection of birthday party destination is quite difficult and parties at home are full with stress. So, be careful and follow the above instruction to select a moderate party place.
ReplyDeleteEach option does have its drawbacks and advantages. I've been toying with the idea of having my daughter's party at a restaurant- to spare me the headache of preparations. But now that you've mentioned it, I'll try asking her if she'd like to have it in LazerXtreme.
ReplyDeleteis she your daughter? Indeed beautiful. Preparations for our child's birthday is somehow stressful but fulfilling.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I opt for the Home option because we don't like to have a time limit when we hold parties and we like the setting to be more relaxed and the guests can stay as long as they like. :P Plus, I find it to be more affordable as opposed to parties held in other places, such as theme parks or restos. :)
ReplyDeleteI found this article whilst looking for other information on other kids party ideas however I like the way you have documented the pro's and con's of each type of party.
ReplyDeleteI think the theme park idea is always good however can be repetitive if same theme park all the time.
Cheers
Carl
When celebrating my kids birthday, i really prefer to do it at home. Since I also have my Mom and in laws to help me out. Catering services is best if you do not want too much of hassles..
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the budget. But we prefer having home celebration. May blessings daw.
ReplyDeleteLet us know what you think