Parties!

Balloons are one of my favourite things in the world. I don't know why but they just make me happy. This party reminds me of a kiddies birthday party but in such an adult, red wine and cheese platter kind of way (it could just be the lighting).

Speaking of which; I was at work the other day chatting to a little girl (she was 6) and her parents about her upcoming 'old fashioned' birthday party. That would have party games and lolly bags.

I am definitely starting to show my age (and am yet to exit my teens) but when did this become old fashioned? When did it become the norm for kids nowadays to hire out laser tag places and movie cinemas and reptile exhibits?

What shocked me more- was the fact that pinatas are now a safety hazard so now one can'y hit them instead all the kiddies pull ribbons to be showered in lollies. Sorry but where is the fun in that? No longer are pass the parcels filled with whistles and crayons but DVDs and PSP games!

Next people will be saying pin the tail on the donkey is animal cruelty and the hanging donut game is causing childhood obesity.

I don't know when the budget for children's birthday parties came to equal that of the Oscars but i just don't see the point? is it because we live in a day and age where the nuclear family is no more so higher monetary expenditure on children doubles as a bid for affection and mark of societal family status? Maybe its an attempt to become identifiable- led by examples like my Super Sweet Sixteen.

Maybe i just hung around with the wrong crowd but i loved making my own pinata, was a donut game champion and could lead a treasure hunt like no one else. I loved every second of those parties (bad costumes and all), wouldn't change them for the world and think it is so sad that they are now becoming obsolete.