Children's Birthday Parties - Extravagant or Fabulous?
Categories: Life & Style, Birthdays
Curious about the glamour, the entertainment, the excess and, of course, the cost? We spoke to the best and brightest party experts. The extravagance is clear and the fees are dear, to say the least.
$100,000 Birthday Parties
Compare kids' birthday parties today to the ones you had a child. Now, compare both to the extravagant spending on parties for the children of the uber-wealthy. Balloons for $5,000? That's just the beginning. Here, the recipe for the most lavish, most outrageous and most whimsical parties.
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The Invitations: $4000
Ellen Black of Lehr & Black, "invitationer" to the stars and Saudi royalty, designs invitations that will "just blow you away, let out a scream and make you want to come." At least that's why clients such as Nicole Ritchie and Courtney Love come to her for their children's birthdays. This 3-D "Small World" invitation recreated the Disney ride, complete with music and moving parts for $200 a pop. "My clients want invitations that no one's ever seen before."
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The Flowers: $35,000
Courtesy of Belle Fleur
The Cake: $1,000 and up
One new trend is to bake individual cakes for each guest -- in addition to the big cake! Los Angeles-based Sweet Lady Jane offers a eye- and waist-popping pink and blue castle cake with turrets and flags for just over $1,000. "But we've made even bigger!" says master baker Jane Lockhart, including Suri's butterfly masterpiece and the mini-cakes which reportedly added up to much, much more.
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The Theme: $5,000 - $20,000
The most popular are dinosaurs, princesses and an elegant "all white." Christina Aguilera and Nicole Richie threw a joint party for the first birthdays of Max Liron and Harlow Winter Kate, with a Where the Wild Things Are theme. Costumed characters from the book added to the festivities, along with elaborate decorations. Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale celebrated Kingston's second last May with a cowboy themed bash with live ponies. Quite a bit more expensive than rocking horses, ponies generally rent for about $300 per hour each, including an attendant.
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The Gift: $200What are A-list tots getting as presents? "Custom engraved iPod Nanos, cashmere by baby cz, engraved silver items from Tiffany & Co. or gorgeous organic toys from Giggle, says Liz Seccuro, Creative Director of Dolce Parties in Greenwich, CT. "It's also common for hosts to request that a donation of books or cash be given to a charity in lieu of a gift."
The Outfit: $2,000 for mom; $300 for child
"Look-at-me, I'm casual" attire currently in vogue among A-list mamas includes a cashmere sweater ($700 of sophistication) plus jeans ($200) and flats ($600). Mobile mama is ready to rush to the scene when one of your child's friends dumps a piece of cake onto his lap. The birthday girl or boy also needs to look stylish on their big day. Little girls will look sweet and festive in Lilly Pulitzer's bright floral-print dresses, while boys will look like little princes in Best & Co.'s pull-over sweaters.
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The Entertainment: $100,000 and up
If your kids insist on having big names like DJ A.M. or Mark Ronson spin the hits at their fiesta, be prepared to shell out $10,000 to $100,000. Hollywood's most kiddie popular (Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers and Hilary Duff) will charge far more to make an appearance, said Backal. Although this may seem like a large chunk of change, be prepared to pay additional fees for "rider" requirements, such as special foods, towels, scented candles, reading material, beverages, transportation, travel and hotel costs.
Jakubaszek, Getty Images
The Photographer: $7,500
Why spend all that money without recording it. The best photographer will approach the party like Annie Leibovitz , scouting the location for the best angles and shots beforehand and shooting on and on and on. After the event, have your personal assistant go on Blurb.com to have photo-books created for all your friends and relatives (up to $80.00 each). If Annie isn't free, Robert Evans, notable for having shot the TomKat nupitals and Jennifer McCarthy parties, is the obvious choice.
Chris Corder, AOL
The Venue: 25,000
If a your backyard just won't do, renting space in an aquarium or museum is one popular option. Plus, it adds structure and built-in entertainment. These types of venues can cost $15,000-$25,000 or more. Despite the obvious appeal of hosting a party at a kid-friendly venue, many A-listers (including Gwen and Gavin) still host parties at their beautiful homes. Um, estates.
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If you had the money, would you throw one? Share your thoughts with us.
Sabrina Weill is editor-in-chief of PrincessLovesPink.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Bill520 1-31-2009 @ 7:07AM
If they can afford who cares its going into the economy, if more people with money start spending it no matter how frivolous it may seem to some one who can't afford it, the money will be going into the economy and hopefully it will help some earn some money.
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steve 1-31-2009 @ 7:18AM
are you freakin kidding me!!! if anyone looks up to or is jealous of anyone who would spend that kind of money on a kids birthday party then they too are complete idiots.instead of spending that kind of money on a birthday party(and insuring their kids will grow up with a god complex) they might think about helping a charity.of course this takes soul and character, which many lack
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Fran 1-31-2009 @ 9:13AM
Since Abe Lincoln has been in the News alot lately, I'll lump what he has said...more or less..."Don't malign the rich, they support the poor by providing gainful employment"...or very close to that. It IS difficult to read about those that "have" when you and I "don't have" as much.
However, aside from the obviuosly shady among them, most "rich" worked their tails off year after year, for many years, until they could grasp that golden ring. After that, why should they give up everything just because others do not have or did not do as they did, in the beginning? Old Money began in the "first" generation that was willing to practically kill themselves at work or in their "quest".. Edison failed a thousand times, so did Bell, and Whitney. What makes you think they do NOT donate to Charity? Hey! That's the #1 Tax break. Which leads into the next and last part of my reply. You and I, our families and their Heirs could live comfortably on what some of "them" pay in "Taxes" alone. Look it up. Luxory Tax, Inheritance Tax, etc., all are right around 50%. Broaden your outlook, then make lists. Put your talents on one side, your inability on the other, your.likes on one side dislikes on the other, then match your talents to your likes. If need be, go to or stay in school. Graduate (even at 50..how old are you going to be if you don't?).. then give it your best shot, never look back (something might be gainin' on you) and hand the Baton over to the next one in your Family when the time comes.
Jaime 2-01-2009 @ 10:21PM
Does it really matter what she spent on plants! For her budget it worked for her. She was just giving ideas. I spent $50.00 a child for my daughters Birthday coming up in March. That's my budget. Everyone needs to stop being haters.If it's about living in your means than just worry what works for you!
Laura 1-31-2009 @ 1:19PM
How do you know that they do not ALREADY give to charity?
Making silly assumptions is what creates the animosity.
What the rich do with their money is their business.
jack 1-31-2009 @ 1:30PM
yeah stevie... spread the wealth.... now go get an education and then, after you learn how to read, look up socialism. they got the education, they worked, they earned, and now you want to take it away from them. i saw this, and people like you coming down the pike years ago. i got mine. i retired in hawaii at 54, live in a paid off million dollar mansion on the golf course.....AND PAY NO TAXES. you worship barry... the insignificant black dope.... enjoy your life, loser
Beth 1-31-2009 @ 7:21AM
I guess it nice that some people can afford these extravagant birthday parties. Unfortunately, families with a parent serving in the U.S. Armed Forces cannot afford these extravagant parties. Luckily, there is an organization called America's Littlest Heroes that provides free birthday parties and toys for children serving in the Armed Forces. America's Littlest Heroes is a 100% volunteer organization that does not receive any government funding. So, they can use any support that Americans can give them. Find out how you can help by visiting their website at http://www.alheroes.org or email at se@alheroes.org
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isisaquaria 1-31-2009 @ 11:29AM
We do not spend 100,000, but our last party was easliy a $1000. And we have a parent serving in the Armed Forces--and no he is not an officer. I
I hear this argument all the time--why spend on a party like this--because my children are worth every penny, no matter the frivilous nature--for one day they are the star. Even our twins will have parties on different days once they are in school--each child deserves one day a yr ( or often times on weekend at our house) to let it be all about them.
IDK if I would ever spend 100,000- I do know that each 16yo is going to cost well into the 30,000 range due to vehicle costs--but I know most here disagree with buying a car--(make them work for it, right)
bev 1-31-2009 @ 7:26AM
When all is said and done your child will remember that you loved them. Not the things you spent so much money on not the fact that you got them so expensive pony to ride. They will remember the baseball games you were at watching them play. They will remember the school plays they were in and you were in the audience watching them. They will remember you cared enough to get out of work early to watch them in a relay race at school. Those are the things that they will remember, not how much money you spent but how much time you spent.
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Carol D. 1-31-2009 @ 9:57AM
Couldn't have said it better. If they have that kind of money to spend, maybe it would be better spent by donating, in their child's name, to a couple of worthwhile charitable organizations and have a smaller party at home. These people are instilling some very, very, unrealistic future expectations in their children AND very poor values. They may not always be afluent. They are probably also the ones who do their utmost to avoid paying taxes, but will throw money away on superficial things that do nothing but tell the world that they are very shallow people.
volleypass 1-31-2009 @ 12:32PM
AMEN!
cheri 1-31-2009 @ 12:27PM
Fully agree My children are now 22 and 26. What they remember about their past is the times we spent together.as a famly..Even though my oldest son is a airline pilot over in Puerto Rico and my younger son is in college, we will always cherish the times we spent together. We need to teach our children the value of family. The morality of a child's character is in their family values
isisaquaria 1-31-2009 @ 1:09PM
Birthday parties include time as well as money--the time to sit down and determine theme and go to the stores and see ea option before decidsion are made. The time to sit down and make a guest list with them and reason why each person is desired to be there. The time to make each invite individual to match theme and child's personality (invitee not host) The time your child doesn't see but knows you spent when they get up and see the house completely decorated before anyone got out of bed--even though the party is in the barn or outside or somewhere such as a concert. The time you spend visiting personally with ea guest or parent--the fact that you know all the names and who is better suited to be on teams together for games so you don't have problems. The time to make the cakes personally, so each guest health considerations keep them safe and able to come--and of course still match the theme. The time to take all those guest home who would not be able to attend otherwise, because the parents of that child don't take the time--same for getting some there. The time you take to personally thank each guest with individual personalized thank you cards for those who deserve such for the time they took (although we often request no gifts--it's about the fun not the loot)- The time it takes to place all pictures on cd/dvd for each guest to have for the memories. The time to cook all the food--breakfast, lunch and dinner for the overnight party and still make everyone happy--include the time gathering items.
The time you spend at the concerts, listening to artists over a thousand screaming kids-then drive home with the radio blaring as well because the 10 or so you took to the concert are still wound for sound--
You are easily talking three or four months for a decent, well organized party that a child can be involved in every step of the way.
Yes, I am there for every game, every talent show, every academic ceremony, everything the boyfriend does that we "must" attend to support him. But I still believe money is just money--hearing from the kidsmonths in advance that they can't wait for the next party--where everyone gets to have memories--it is worth every penny to me.
Bill West 2-01-2009 @ 6:41AM
So that'swhat the Wall Streeters di with the 18 billion in bonuses that WE the taxpayers funded with the first half of the bailout!
Don't give them another dime..they deserve to go broke!
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Master Shake 1-31-2009 @ 8:12AM
This is America today - more and more like the old days of the serfs and the Lords. The middle class is becoming an extinct species.
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falling 1-31-2009 @ 11:08AM
Take another look at your history! There used to be two classes in the world...the rich and the dirt poor. Today we have a thriving middle class! So thriving that we now have "poor" who own more than one color television, more than one car, computers, cable and plenty of food on their tables! Compared to even 50 years ago, even our "poor" live in huge homes! My parents we considered middle class when I was growing up...now I am considered middle class...and my home is easily twice as large, I have tons more possessions! We are not losing our middle class, we have just drastically raised our definition poverty!
Master Shake 1-31-2009 @ 10:55AM
Sorry, but this is simply B.S. In the 1950's a person working at an ordinary job could afford to raise a family with a wife who didn't work, and pay a mortgage on a house he was buying. THIS is what middle class means. Not being able to afford a stupid $200 television set. Even people in Third World nations have color TV these days! I moved out of the US some time ago, and THAT is what gives you some perspective. I pay much lower taxes, our streets are perfectly safe 24 hours a day, and medical care is free and BETTER than you go broke trying to pay for. We OWN our own home with ZERO property taxes, as do over half the people here. THIS is being middle class. This sort of existence is exceedingly rare in America these days.
Twyla 1-31-2009 @ 1:54PM
I'm responding to your 2nd comment of living where there are NO property taxes & free medical. Do you get free dental too? It sounds great, what country did you move to? Is it warm there?
Master Shake 1-31-2009 @ 1:17PM
Twyla - post your email address and I'll respond directly if you want.
Toni 1-31-2009 @ 8:02AM
I rent ponies and I rent two for $150.00 an hour. They make a lot of children happy and it helps to feed the other horses and ponies I have. I love having a job that allows me to be with people during such a happy time. Kids birthday are the best times for everyone.
clik.to/Tonisponies
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