Extravagant Parties For Kids

[Golightly Grrl]

Well, today kids are just the latest "it" bag.

And here's more hyper-consuming bullshit:
http://jezebel.com/search/baby%20couture/

[melon]

Originally posted by DaveC
Just about anything is better than this.

Maybe not being subconsciously told that we're failures if we feel satisfied with what we have already. Perhaps something other than having constant messages to BUY BUY BUY rammed down our throats 24/7. Something like not inherently feeling like we constantly need more "stuff", and more money to buy that "stuff". How about taking pleasure in family, friends, and memories instead of taking pleasure in having the latest Hummer (or the biggest, most expensive birthday party for your four-year old)?

Fuck consumerism.

Then don't buy. There's nobody forcing you to.

[JCOSTER]

These types of parties are very popular on LI. Especially, north and on the east end. However, they ain't popular in my house!!!

[ntalwar]

Originally posted by melon


Then don't buy. There's nobody forcing you to.

The message has to go beyond that though, in areas where resources are limited or shared with society - energy, food, pollution, etc. A lot of the consumerism today is a "tragedy of the commons". For example, if I buy a hybrid car, that leaves more gas for those hummer limos. We don't hear enough messages from politicians or the media promoting conservation.

[Liesje]

Personally, I think most of the extravagant parties for young kids and even toddlers is just b/c the parents/grandparents want something to do. Maybe they are trying to show off, or live vicariously through the child, but I think most of the time, they have money to blow (or think they do) and just have nothing better to do than plan a big party for their kid. Some people just like having social events, and the kid is just the motivator.

My co-worker's sister just had a baby on the same day as his now 1 year old daughter. He said there are going to be some HUGE parties now b/c his side of the family has always been into having parties for all the kid's birthdays, no matter what the age. He said that's just how they are, they are a close family and it's really just their excuse to get together and have a good time. The kids won't even remember it.

I think you *can* have these parties without ruining the kid's values. I'm not really sure how, since we never ever had such parties (well, I think I had one b-day party in 4th grade with 6 girls and my mom said never again!), but I know enough people who DO have these parties and their kids seem OK....

Personally, I won't do it, since I won't have the financial means. I think it's pretty weird and sometimes outrageous, but I guess other people are allowed to have their own priorities...

Oh, and I also think it's just as outrageous what people spend on weddings and funerals these days. It's sick, really sick....

[anitram]

^

I think that's a bit of a different matter, because we had family members who would do that too. For example, we'd get together for my cousins' birthdays up north at their cottage and there would be 40 people there, as an excuse to have a mini-reunion. But this really wasn't extravagant or anything - we'd throw some meat on the BBQ, and have some cookies and cakes that people would bring with them and so on. It probably cost very little.

[Liesje]

^ True, that.

I guess I don't even know what to think b/c I cannot relate at all. I've never been to such a party nor has anyone in my family ever had one. Same goes for my wedding and honeymoon, really.

[melon]

Originally posted by ntalwar
The message has to go beyond that though, in areas where resources are limited or shared with society - energy, food, pollution, etc. A lot of the consumerism today is a "tragedy of the commons". For example, if I buy a hybrid car, that leaves more gas for those hummer limos. We don't hear enough messages from politicians or the media promoting conservation.

We have ways of enforcing these common public interests, though. We can create fuel conservation standards, which we do. We can create incentives for people to create the kind of technology that we desire, which we do. We could potentially go as far as the European Union, which makes companies responsible for their own packaging and product waste, which has gone a long way in making companies think twice about how to package their products in an environmentally friendly manner.

Progress cannot be stopped. On the other hand, we can progress in manners that are more environmentally friendly.

[ntalwar]

Originally posted by melon

We have ways of enforcing these common public interests, though. We can create fuel conservation standards, which we do. We can create incentives for people to create the kind of technology that we desire, which we do.

The current US standards don't go far enough enough IMO, and the energy interests still dominate policy. The fuel economy standard was finally raised after about 30 years, and goes into effect only by 2020. The corn-based ethanol mandate is a joke because there is no net energy gain from harvesting corn using diesel farm equipment.

A lot of the tax incentives are a joke. For example, the number of hybrid cars eligible for a tax credit are limited to the first 60,000 vehicles of a model. Toyota hybrids are no longer eligible. SUVs on the other hand, qualify for tax credits to any "small business" (realtors, doctors, lawyers, etc.) without any limit.

Originally posted by melon

Progress cannot be stopped. On the other hand, we can progress in manners that are more environmentally friendly.

I agree, but I don't see the major shift in behavior, thinking, and policy required as we start the current energy crisis. Short of policy changes, it appears that only high energy prices will cause the change of behavior, even though gasoline demand has not dropped from last year.

[melon]

Originally posted by ntalwar
The current US standards don't go far enough enough IMO, and the energy interests still dominate policy. The fuel economy standard was finally raised after about 30 years, and goes into effect only by 2020. The corn-based ethanol mandate is a joke because there is no net energy gain from harvesting corn using diesel farm equipment.

A lot of the tax incentives are a joke. For example, the number of hybrid cars eligible for a tax credit are limited to the first 60,000 vehicles of a model. Toyota hybrids are no longer eligible. SUVs on the other hand, qualify for tax credits to any "small business" (realtors, doctors, lawyers, etc.) without any limit.

I agree with all of the above. But this is not a failure of capitalism, but of our government. And, of course, we know what an abject failure our government has been over the last several years.

[financeguy]

Originally posted by melon
I agree with all of the above. But this is not a failure of capitalism, but of our government. And, of course, we know what an abject failure our government has been over the last several hundred years.

Fixed that for you.

[Butterscotch]

I have a little cousin having one of these today. It's sad IMO that the parents seem to care more about impressing and outdoing each other than just letting the kids have a fun time their own way.

[Infinity]

While I would never spend this much on a kid's birthday party no matter how much money I have, if these people want to spend $5,000 or $6,000 or $10 million, I don't see what the problem is. It is their money. It is stupid to spend that much on a kid's birthday party, but again, it is their money to spend.

[anitram]

Timely!

The birthday party held for Suri Cruise’s second birthday cost a whopping $100,000!

The catering bill for the two parties cost Tom more than $45,000, reveals the insider, who adds that Tom asked his friend, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, to cater the events, reports In Touch.

Tom reportedly filled their Hollywood Hills home with more than $17,000 worth of fresh flowers.

An insider also says that the Cruises spent almost $5,000 on cakes.

[MrsSpringsteen]

Allegedly Tom is really into trying to impress others with his homes and material things. Makes me wonder why. I know he is filthy rich but that on a kid's party is still insane. Suri walks around in Burberry dresses (and I swear I have never seen her in the same outfit twice), so her wardrobe alone is probably worth a fortune. Supposedly he gives Katie half a mil a year to spend on whatever she wants. His prerogative but seems to me Suri will remember things other than her extravagant 2nd birthday party. Who here actually remembers back that far? Hopefully her parents will stay together and thrive, and that will be her best childhood memory.