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February 16, 2012

The Dark Side of Pinterest

Ok, I'm going to temporarily lift the ban on talking about Henry turning a year old. Temporarily, people, temporarily.

More specifically, I'm going to talk about his birthday party. I've mentioned a lot how much I love Pinterest, but some of you might not be aware there is a dark side to it. And, no I'm not talking about it's addictive nature (is that really a problem?!). I'm talking about the pressure it (and certain internet mom groups) create to throw huge, elaborate, beautiful 1st birthday parties.

I don't know, maybe this pressure existed before Pinterest, or the internet, but I'm sure the access to the information was much more limited. Now, I'm constantly confronted with beautiful images of grand parties, beautiful handmade banners, and buffet tables of organic homemade culinary delights. And I want that for Hen, and, honestly for this blog. Who doesn't want their stuff to be pinned?

But I have a problem. I have a rational side. Hen won't remember this party. Pictures of the buffet table aren't going to make it into the baby book. Also, I don't have a ton of friends here with kids. And, I don't want to seem gift-grabby by inviting all of my kidless friends. I know most of them have no interest in coming to a baby's birthday. Do you invite them anyway?

And then there is the venue problem. If I do invite a bunch of people, where do they go? Our house is small. Do we rent a venue? Where is the money coming from for that? Let's not even talk about the food! I'm trying really hard to learn to be a better cook, but I'm pretty sure Morgan suffers a lot in this department. Now I'm supposed to make delicious, pretty food for a large group? Specialty cake? Cupcakes? Dairy-free ice cream alternative?

See what I mean? Pressure. Dark side.

I am caving to the pressure some. We are going to have a small party and I'm going to make it as pretty as possible. I've decided on the theme of Robots. I'm going to make a couple of banners, and some other decorations. Also some food. Maybe a cake. Ahhh. We'll see. But here's a preview of the paper I bought for the decorations!!


Anyone else feeling the pressure? Anyone seduced by the dark side of Pinterest?

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Comments

Lindsay
Lindsay said…
I've found it's the opposite! I'm planning what I think is a normal sized party for my little guy's first. We did rent a petting zoo and farm (which isn't as expensive as it sounds) from a local farm a couple of hours north, and we're having the party at my parent's house which has the yard/room for that. My kidless friends are way less than my parent friends these days, but they're all pretty excited to come. My teenager sister's friends will be doing face painting and arts and crafts for the kiddos and we'll be making sandwich rings and decorating with lots of hay bales. Really, it's not going to cost that much. The going rate for hay really isn't that high these days, haha. Still, I've gotten so much flack from playgrounds for having a party he won't remember, which I get is true. Most of the parties we've been invited to have been way more "practical" and now I feel awkward and out of place!
Erin Dunaway
Erin Dunaway said…
The party I threw for Beckett was very small. It was only family invited because our house is too small to fit a lot of people. I had fun making the decorations, but I definetly didn't spend tons of money on everything. Scrapbook paper goes a long way :) I love the robot theme and paper that you have. I'm sure whatever you decide to do will be beautiful! Don't stress out too much, like you said, he won't even remember his first birthday party.
Melinda
Melinda said…
I'm on the other side. We throw big parties...but always have. Between my immediate family and Doug's (all of which live within a half hour), there are over 30 people, and several of our friends already have kids. We don't have a choice but to throw a big party, but since our house is small as well, it will be at his brother's.

I'll be honest and admit that when I do post pics, it will look like a grand hoopla. Mainly because that's how I do my pics. ;) But seriously, it hasn't cost me much at all. I've used a lot of stuff we already had and our siblings have each offered to make a dish. I'd be crazy to not take them up on it.

Do what you feel comfortable with and don't worry about everyone else. But above all, have fun!!! If you aren't enjoying it, it isn't worth it.
Tasha Rieck
Tasha Rieck said…
Invite your childless friends!! I always felt very happy when I got invites to my friends' kids' parties, before I had kids. If they don't want to come, they'll just say they have something else planned and it'll be no big deal.

I can't wait til Blasto's first birthday! I suspect I will go insane. Kids' first birthdays are for the mommies and daddies anyway!! :)

P.S. Henry is one of the cutest kids evar. Seriously.