Children’s birthday parties are no longer just about cake, pass-the-parcel and a few lolly bags.
As social media fuels ever-more elaborate celebrations, Australian parents are feeling increasing pressure to throw Instagram-worthy parties for their children — with some people spending up to $10,000 on a single event.
Industry experts say celebrity-style birthdays and viral party trends are helping drive soaring expectations, raising questions about whether an unattainable standard is being set for everyday families.
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Australian event company My Perfect Party director Allison Barrett told 7NEWS.com.au social media has had a big influence on people’s party planning.
“Everyone loves sharing their fun moments,” Barrett said.
Barret said how much people spend depends on the style of the party, including the age group and number of guests.
She said clients can spend anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 for children’s parties.
“All costs have gone up unfortunately and it’s no different in our industry,” Barret said.
“We all try to work within the client’s budgets.”
Barret’s company offers party styling, budget planning, sourcing venues, organising catering, drinks and entertainment, hiring of tables, chairs and decor, and co-ordinating cakes and balloons.
Celebrity influence
Celebrities often throw huge, costly birthday parties for their children, which are often flaunted on social media.
These lavish events feature private islands, custom themes and A-list guest lists that turn personal milestones into major pop-culture spectacles.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are the latest celebs to post footage of an extravagant birthday party, throwing an elaborate Spider-Man-themed bash for their son Riot’s 3rd birthday last week.
The high-profile couple transformed the space into a full superhero world for their son, including custom red, black and blue decor, personalised “Riot 3” signage, custom drinks and food and immersive superhero entertainment.
No expense was spared.
Other recent over-the-top celebrity kid celebrations include Kim Kardashian’s jaw-dropping Pokémon-themed party for Psalm’s 7th birthday, and Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott’s massive joint party for Stormi and Aire.
But are these celebrity parties doing harm by creating unachievable goals for regular parents?
Barret said while social media and celebrity trends are driving party themes, old time favourites such as face painters, magicians and jumping castles are still very popular for children’s birthdays.
Balloons with feature backdrops are also a regular ask with most set-ups set to a particular theme.
Small mobile animal farms and live performers in elaborate costumes are also popular.
Asking guests to chip in: Would you do it?
Industry experts say some parents are spending up to $10,000 on decorations but a new party trend to help cut the costs has emerged, dividing parents online.
Some parents appear to be tackling the growing bill of kids parties not by cutting back on the swimming mermaid or man dressed in head-to-head red spandex (aka Spider-Man), but by asking invited guests to contribute towards the cost of the party.
American baker Victoria Perry, who specialises in children’s birthday cakes, posted a TikTok last year detailing invitations that said “tipping is encouraged” at the party.
Her debate went viral, with the video viewed more than 800,000 times on TikTok.
In her video, Perry criticised the practice, arguing that asking people to tip the entertainer at the party sent an unwelcoming message to invited guests.
“If you’re not bringing at least $10, you should not bring your child,” one invite read.
“If you can’t afford the total cost of the party, don’t have one!” one person commented in response.
“If you can’t swing the party don’t have it. Cake and ice cream is sufficient,” another said.
On the flip side, a handful of commenters defended the idea, saying with the cost of everything skyrocketing, a little help from guests doesn’t seem unreasonable.
