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ABColeslaw
member
Angel Baby Elisabeth Adelle April 2008
People don't take subtle or not so subtle hints
ABColeslaw
member
So we are having a jungle baby costume party for Asher's first birthday. We knew pretty much before he was born that we were going to do this. We plan on doing costume parties every couple of years because we don't celebrate Halloween and we want to give him dress up type occasions to look forward to. Anyway, doing a controlled costume party was just a bad idea. The Invitation was worded: "Its a Jungle Costume Party, come join the fun, our little Giraffe is turning One!" And then said "Bring your little ones dressed up as a jungle baby, think lions, tigers, Elephants , monkeys and Zebras!"
Anyway, we have about 30 kids coming. Early on we conceded that we'd be lucky if everyone showed up as a member of the animal kingdom, as many little girls wanted to be butterflies or unicorns. This is fine.
But recently I've been told we'll also have a Firefighter, Jedi Knight, and Princess. Add that to Bob the Builder.
I should have just had a reg costume party. That way I could have saved money on all he jungle themed stuff that I purchased. And its not like we didn't poll people about what they thought about having a costume party or give people plenty of notice. We told people before Halloween so that they could scoop up super cheap after Halloween deals. I don't know. I think Luke Skywaker and Snow White are going to feel a little out of place.
Asher Benjamin and Lola Aisling
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Angel Baby Elisabeth Adelle April 2008 Asher Benjamin April 2010
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This discussion has been closed.
Re: People don't take subtle or not so subtle hints
Did you have a destination wedding too and expect everyone to shell out bucks for that?
You want parents to shell out money for a costume to go to your son's party because you don't celebrate halloween?
Honestly if I had a costume that fit him he would go in that, jungle related or not. And if he didn't have one that fit, I would toss your invitation in the trash. I'm not shelling out $30 plus for a costume, buying a present and spending my day with a bunch of rug rats for that high of a price tag
DS - 5/2010
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A tad harsh but I agree with the theory. Most parents don't have a jungle costume on hand, and I would probably balk at the idea of going shopping and spending $30 bucks just for a 2 hour birthday party.
Do you not do halloween because of the allergies with all the candy, or for religious reasons?
Bar tab = $156,000, Bus to Foxwoods = $0, Puking in the Stanley Cup = Priceless
Really? People have been getting costumes for 5 bucks. And I actually asked everyone that was invited what they thought about it before we planned it. And everyone was very enthusiastic about it! If you have enough money to buy a jedi knight costume, you have enough to buy a set of ears and some face paint. I'm not talking about people who happen to have another costume and don't want to buy another. Plus we are providing ears, face paint, and tails for kids who don't have a costume.
We don't celebrate for religious reasons.
And to address others, I didn't invent the concept of a costume party. I've been to many in my life. And yes I purchased costumes depending on the theme.
Did they specifically tell you that they went out after receiving the invitation to purchase a Jedi costume? Otherwise, I would assume that they had it from this past Halloween and thought "Sweet! My kid gets to wear this junker again!"
Not that you can go back in time, but I would have just stuck to the face paint for all of the kids. That way, no one would feel left out. The face paint is a cute idea! I like the idea of the costume party, but sounds like you know the drill for next time.
Oh I'm not that upset. If you read my post I was saying that it was a mistake to make it a controlled costume party. Live and learn right? But we did poll people about it. And people did respond enthusiastically!
I think it's a cute idea. And, I don't get it either. If you're going to spend the money on a Jedi costume, why not just participate in the fun?
I don't know about everyone, but the ones I mentioned today, I do know that they are newly purchased. The email said.... "We had fun last night buying costumes for Asher's party, looks like you're going to have a Jedi, princess, and Firefighter thrown in the mix"
So yeah next time...face paint and ears.
This takes the cake. You had a gallup poll before the party, gave 6 months notice to the theme, obligated people to buy costumes that they will only wear once.
Don't be pissed when you have a ton of beer and cake to finish on your own.
Come on now...who would be pissed about that?
Bar tab = $156,000, Bus to Foxwoods = $0, Puking in the Stanley Cup = Priceless
You may have a point there. Unless this is one of the puritans that think prohibition should be reinstated at birthday parties
Um yes I polled them as in "Hey what do you think about a jungle baby costume party? Do you think it would be too much?"
I gave them notice so they could get a great deal on a costume. I know several people who got costumes for like 3 bucks!
And don't pretend to know my circle of friends and family. First off, we are very close knit so when I say people are excited about this party, I mean it.
And lastly, not that it matters, but in my circle, we don't drink beer at a children's birthday party. We reserve that for adult parties....many of which I was "Obligated to buy themed costumes for" but never thought twice about it.
I've never had to get a costume in March/April (whenever your party is) but I'm assuming it will be more that $5 and way more of a pain to find one outside of Halloween season.
Plus jedi's and princesses are waaaay cooler than monkeys if you ask most little kids. Isn't it about the kids?
It seems like most of these 1st birthday parties are all about the moms and their matching decor. IMO
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<<The email said.... "We had fun last night buying costumes for Asher's party, looks like you're going to have a Jedi, princess, and Firefighter thrown in the mix">>
This sounds like the kids didn't want to be anything but a Jedi, princess, or firefighter and since this is going to be a fun party the parents weren't going to force their child to wear a jungle themed costume. Imagine if they forced their kid to wear a jungle themed costume... the kid could very well throw a tantrum or refuse all together. At least now they get to have fun and play dress up.
I don't think you wasted money on the jungle theme. I think the party is going to be a smash hit even with the princess and others. Just think of it as the "humans" (Jedi, princess and firefighter) visiting the jungle for the day instead of having odd balls.
First birthdays are a bigger deal in some families than in others. In my family they are a pretty big deal. But ours is way scaled down. And for the millionth time, I didn't say I have an issue with it...what I said was "I should have made it a non controlled costume party" Like I learned my lesson and won't do it again.
I'm pretty sure you're wrong about this. They're kids...the only person that is going to care *at all* is you. Sorry, this post is ridiculous.
Yes actually I do. When we took my niece to get hers we found 5 costumes and said "Which one would you like?" It was that easy!
Yes because the same cookie cutter is used to make all kids
just for the record, you can have matching decor and the kids can have an amazing time. they are mutually exclusive.
abc, i understand your frustration. and your point!
It was for lack of a better word. Its not like I put it on the invite. But maybe I should have used the word specific. And again I did say "Live and Learn"
Yes like I said live and learn. I didn't think too much of it because they were all so excited about it and I've done simular things for all of thier kids parties. But its worth repeating that this post was more about learning my lesson than actually caring.
Who says they have to shell out money? How hard is it to paint a paper plate and cut eye holes, add yarn and be a lion?
OP, I think maybe the people reading the invite are just not very bright. We are also having a jungle theme for LO's 1st b-day, but we're mostly dressing up in animal prints. I have a leopard print shirt I'm wearing, DD has a zebra print dress, etc. I personally didn't think you were asking too much, if I was a parent of an invitee I would have just assumed "dress up like a jungle creature, or don't dress up." Hmm.
ETA: Holy balls, clearly I'm in the minority. Perhaps its a regional thing because around these parts, if someone put on an invitation that they were invited to a JUNGLE COSTUME PARTY, it would be jungle costume or no costume. I also still stand by my reasoning that I'm sure a mask made from paper or a paper plate would be just fine. I don't think the OP is asking for head to toe $100 costumes. While I agree, it is all about the kids, maybe try being creative, and making a costume with your children?
She must be one in a million then....I guess I suck as a mother because there is no way in hell my daughter would choose one of 5 jungle costumes over a princess one.
another birthdayzilla
or you can just paste a paper plate to your kid like another PP suggested. Because that kid won't stick out like a sore thumb
I'd be excited for the kids to attend a costume party but I would dress them in whatever costume I already have. I wouldn't purchase a new one and I think it is unreasonable to expect that.
And the kids won't care if their costumes are not safari related of i they don't make the decorations. Only you care. The kids will just be having fun.
And if you mentioned it to parents ahead of time and they replied enthusiastically, I would think that they are just being polite.
The face paint is a great idea though. All the kids (costume or not) should enjoy that.