Remember when Chuck E. Cheese was the ultimate in children's parties?
Children's birthday parties used to be an occasion to, you know, celebrate a kid's birthday. But these days they seem to be about a lot more: expectations (both of the Pinterest-consuming parents and the TV-watching child), guilt, joy, showmanship, perfectionism, anxiety, and perhaps a dash of keeping up with the Joneses. With the average cost of a child's party starting at $300 and only going up from there, what used to be considered luxury is now passé. In an age where you can literally watch Outrageous Kid Parties on your average Tuesday night, it's hard to even know what constitutes "over the top" anymore. Round Balloon
Twins Piper and Chloe started off celebrating their first birthday in style, with special goodie bags, balloons, decorations, and a custom cake, all put together by mom Britany Klarich. But things went next level when in walked Bailey the unicorn and every kid's fantasy instantly became a reality. It wouldn't be complete without the artfully edited and soundtrack-ed movie.
Balloons are a birthday party staple, but in recent years, the ways people use them have become more and more elaborate. Case in point: Little Sophia Ecclestone got a life-size pink castle crafted entirely out of latex balloons. And that was just the entrance to the party. Mom Tamara also arranged for several food booths, a petting zoo of exotic animals, adorable puppies roaming around, and live princesses on site. It reportedly cost around $88,000 dollars.
One-year-olds don't even know they're having a birthday, much less understand a huge party to celebrate. But proud mama Elizabeth Sergi didn't want anything to hold her back from celebrating her daughter's first year of life, so she planned a stunning "Gisele in Wonderland" party. The theme was a spin-off of Alice in Wonderland and included a balloon wall, several designer cakes, a bespoke outfit, and gorgeous favors even adults would swoon over.
The spa was named Seriously Spoiled and that's exactly how Janai's parents wanted their little girl to feel on her birthday. She arrived in a pink limo and then strolled up a pink carpet, waving to her adoring friends and family. Then the pampering commenced with pink robes, pink drinks, and manis for all. It ended with a fashion show on a runway emblazoned with her name. What little girl wouldn't love that?
The hand-crafted 3-D pop-up invites were the first clue of the amazingness that was Jonathan Davis' birthday party. Planned by his talented mom Jessica, the jungle-themed extravaganza had floating, life-size, watercolor animals; cupcakes topped with miniature sculptures; balloon art; and literal towers of treats.
A rented venue filled with delicate roses, fine china, tasteful balloon bouquets, cloth napkins and silver cups has all the hallmarks of an expensive wedding. But one lucky little tot didn't have to wait to walk down the aisle to enjoy the finer things in life thanks to this dreamy birthday party!
13-year-old Sam Horowitz (or, his parents) took his Bar Mitzvah next level when he entered his celebration by being lowered from the ceiling in a lighted box onto a stage filled with beautiful showgirls. They performed a choreographed routine worthy of the Las Vegas strip, complete with his name in 20-foot lights. You don't realize how tiny first-year teen boys are until you see one surrounded by adult dancers in 6-inch heels.
Three-year-old Roxy is the granddaughter of former Vogue editor and style icon Carine Roitfeld, so it makes sense her birthday bash would be the height of luxury. Her party, set in a boutique in Soho, featured a tattoo bar, a live band, and a candy buffet.
Dinosaurs fill this elaborately crafted dreamscape filled with treats, toys, and anything else a one-year-old could want. Okay, let's be honest, the kid probably liked the tissue paper from the gift bags the most. But the adults probably loved all the little touches like miniature signposts and draping prehistoric foliage.
Celebrities are known for throwing blow-out bonanzas for their children and Tori and Dean Spelling are no exception. Their son Liam got feted with a Ghostbusters-themed party where guests were greeted with a giant ghost cake, green balloons, and spooky treats.
They say that toddler birthday parties are more for the parents than the child and that might be the case with this one-year-old's extravagant celebration. Mickey Mouse balloons are the one nod to childhood in this gorgeous ballroom filled with a crystal chandelier, table coverings nicer than most weddings, wall draperies, and framed by gold pillars. Happy birthday, Liyam!
Nothing says extravagance like fashion house Dior! And this big birthday bash takes that theme to heart with pink, girly favors emblazoned with the traditional logo. Oh, and for party favors? A bottle of their signature scent, Miss Dior, which retails for $95. But this isn't a soiree for a socialite, it was for eight-year-olds.
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