Homemade cakes or pizzas at home, a visit to McDonalds, traditional games - today's children's parties can be much different than this. The requirements are now much greater. The parents themselves are partly to blame for this - in their desire to organize something special and unforgettable, and sometimes even simply to surpass others.
"This year we spent about 250 euros on my son's soccer party. We booked a hall, ordered food, brought our own drinks, sweets and prepared gifts for the guests. Last year my daughter celebrated at home. She turned four years old, four friends came - the food and gifts for the children cost about 60 euros," Irina, a mother of two children from Bonn, told DV. The cost of birthday parties increases with the age of the child, she adds.
Pirate parties, jumping on a trampoline, birthday parties in the pool, children's cooking courses - in Germany, parents are often ready to spend three-figure sums to please their children and surprise their guests. Some of them even turn to event organizing agencies for help.
A birthday for 1700 euros?
Pony rides, magician, make-up, decorations and cake in general style - Daniela Schreck from the Munich company Tollkids helps to realize even the most unusual ideas. It is one of the many German event agencies that, after amusement parks, farms and climbing halls, have discovered the niche of children's parties and offer to make a child's birthday an unforgettable one. "Those who come to us spend an average of 1,700 euros," says the entrepreneur in an interview with DPA news agency. Among her clients are doctors, business owners, actors. These are people with good salaries and a busy work schedule. Daniela Schreck organizes five parties a month and has already organized a children's party with a five-figure budget. "For many parents, this is already a matter of status, of prestige,", she emphasizes.
Gabriele Daft, who studies everyday culture at the Institute for Ethnology and History of the Rhineland in Bonn, calls children's birthdays a mirror of society. The uniqueness of these celebrations is an expression of the individuality that is so valued in modern German society, the expert told Wirtschaftsvohe. Social media also plays a big role. Posts with pictures of lavish children's parties raise the bar - and put even more pressure on parents.
Cologne-based psychologist Birgit Langebartels explains what she calls "dramatization" at children's parties, with parents wanting to control their child's development as much as possible and make everything perfect. This only leads to even greater insecurity and a constant search for something to surpass themselves, which, as the psychologist notes, is especially evident when organizing a children's birthday. The problem arises when everything develops in a spiral and a vicious circle is created in which new experiences constantly have to be stronger than the previous ones, emphasizes Birgit Langebartels in "Wirtschaftsvohe".
Time spent together is the best gift for a child
Rüdiger Wild, professor of pedagogy at the University of Riedlingen, is skeptical of this trend. "Love and respect are not expressed in money," he says in an interview with DPA. He urges parents to approach the topic calmly. Of course, a child's birthday should be unforgettable, but you can organize many things yourself. The scientist and father of two is convinced that today's children can enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt or joint activities. In addition, if the parents themselves are creative and devote their own time to organizing the most important holiday of their child, this contributes to closer and trusting relationships in the family.
How much should the gift cost?
Rüdiger Wild also recommends being moderate in the choice of gifts: a person who is invited to a birthday should not spend more than 10-20 euros on a gift.
According to the daily observations of Lisa Fischer, who works in a managerial position in a toy store in Stuttgart, on average children buy gifts for other children for between 8 and 15 euros. Parents spend around a hundred euros on gifts for their own children. The trend is for eco-friendly and educational toys. By the way, according to studies, spending time together is more important to many people than material gifts. For older kids, sometimes it's better to have a picnic on the lawn than to give them a new smartphone.
Author: Lena Schmitz