Do birthday celebrations go a little far?

It was just the other day that a girlfriend told me that she was going to a friend’s one-year-old birthday party. The mother of this little person is a friend of her’s, not such a close friend or anything, but a friend. It was the point at which she told me that she believes there will be over one hundred people at this birthday party that my mouth dropped. One hundred people at attendance for a one-year-old birthday party?

Either I have possibly deprived my children of one of supposedly the biggest celebrations in a little person’s life, or I have totally missed the mark in what I thought was something gloriously special. I just have to wonder whether a celebration with so many people becomes special or stressful?

It was before I had children that I already swore to myself that I would bake and make my children’s birthday cakes each year for the duration of the festive party years. I remember my mum always making my birthday cakes, with one in particular that stood out; the Barbie doll with the big dress around her. Looking back through old photos I remember seeing my face and my mum’s face light up in admiration of the beauty and glory that was before my eyes; my birthday cake. The thought of cutting it was something quite horrific. And when my daughter turned two, two days before my little man was born, I experienced that same feeling that my mum experienced many moons ago. I saw my little girl’s face light up to the sight of the birthday cake that her mummy made.

Now, you can buy these cakes that in all honesty, look like mini versions of a wedding cake. All pretty fondant layers with figurines on top, many of which are outsourced and bought. I respect every mother’s decision, and especially those that may not be able to bake, or don’t have the time or desire to bake. But I wonder if those big smiles are the same as the ones experienced by that cake baking Mumma? The jury is still out?

Maybe I stand alone when it comes to birthday celebrations. For me, birthdays are for intimate friends and family to celebrate and experience together the joyous and milestone journey. They are not for every person in my contact list, friends of friends and friends of parents, grandparents and the like. It is my family and my child’s close friends. To me, celebrations are celebrations, and the moments captured when my children see their birthday cake that I baked. I want my children to know their birthday is special, have traditions shared and remembered. But then again, those big birthday celebrations with one hundred people or so will certainly be remembered too. I just wonder if that is the standard for every birthday to come?

I am expecting the looks of horror to soon come their way.

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Linking up with Essentially Jess

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