Signal #1549

What is the etiquette on birthday invites? My toddler goes to a mid-$3000 per month daycare. Two families invited the entire classroom (12-15 kids) to My Little Gym / MyGym or similar establishment. I was curious and researched the price. It ranges from about $1000 to $2200 for a birthday party. Now our third birthday party invite is at a similar indoor playground except it’s more expensive and fancier. Before those three invites, one neighbor invited our kid to his/her kid’s birthday party. I estimated the grand total for that party to be $2500-$3000; it was really a fantastic party. For financial context, the average rent for a 2BR apt where I live is $7,500/month. Now my LO’s birthday is coming up. I’m wondering if I need to throw a similar birthday party (and similar price range). I honestly don’t mind throwing a party. It’s more logistics and administrative headache that I don’t want to deal with in a birthday party. Another factor is that I’m frugal by nature and didn’t grow up with a lot of money. So I’m not sure how to navigate these social spaces. I don’t want to commit social suicide for my one and only kid. S/he needs all the friends due to not having siblings. I don’t mind spending money, but I am lazy (I’ll admit) and don’t want people to think that we left them out because we disliked or forgotten them. I’m not sure what the etiquette is or if there are unspoken social rules. I would appreciate any advice and thoughts. Edit: I’m lost bc I never attended birthday parties or had birthday parties growing up. I’m an only child too. Please be nice to me. I’m genuinely asking.   submitted by   /u/LopsidedMastodon1484 [link]   [comments]