The McDonald’s Party – the lazy option?
ByParties at McDonalds, Hungry Jacks or the local bowling alley seem to be very popular these days. I wonder why? Are we taking advantage of convenience or are we being lazy?
I know that kids love a trip to Macca’s for a Happy Meal and some ice cream, but is it really a substitute for a part at home?
There are a lot of postives about having a party hosted for you outside the home:
- Your home stays clean
- The entertainment is provided
- Everyone knows what food is on the menu so there shoudl be no surprises with dietary restricitions
- The cake is provided
- Lolly bags are provided
- The games are hosted by an inexperienced yet well intentioned teenager
- It is relatively inexpensive
I can’t help wondering if we are taking convenience too far? What we are giving our kids is a no real excitement. There is nothing unexpected about to happen.
Why are we doing it? Are we lazy or time poor? Are we lacking in imagination or ideas?
There is nothing like a home party. Every home party is unique and will therefore be very memorable. I still remember the parties I went to as a child and part of the fun was in going to my friend’s home. Home parties are special because:
- The food is different every time
- The cake is special and personalised
- Your child shares his /her home with friends
- You can select games to suit the needs of the children
- There is room to move
- You can have a theme
- They can play outdoors without having to wait in a queue of strangers for a turn on the slide
- It has a warm and welcoming atmosphere
- You can prepare your child’s favourite food. Yes, Macca’s does do takeaway!
Surely we can produce a plate of fairy bread, a few sausage rolls, a cake and some balloons just as well as McDonald’s can?
I would love to know your thoughts on this topic. Do you go to an external venue for your parties or do you have them at home? Why have you made this choice? Leave me a comment and let’s see what people think.
Totally agree. Just a little bit of planning and effort will make a child’s birthday really special. Parents don’t need to spend Donald Trump-type amounts or make it like an English royal wedding. Kids really only remember what birthday cake they had and the fun that was had by all. Who wants a cookie-cutter type birthday for their child when there are so many beautiful things out there to buy and make and so many websites and blogs (like this one!) to help along the way!?!?
I have had parties at home and parties at other venues (not macca’s or hungry’s though!), I have always been silly enough to ask my children what they want so we have had home parties and we have had farm parties and fairy bay parties etc and whilst you don’t have the big clean up when it’s at a venue there is such a nice inviting feeling when the party is at home and you are left with a real sense of achievement at the end ( as well as a headache) so from choice I would say go the home party! and you don’t need all the entertainment and face painting etc, kids will have fun no matter what.
Oh and Rach we still have to do a post about your party and show off your great pictures. Haven’t forgotten you
For a kid, it’s the coolest thing to go to a friend’s house and have tea. I think something quite small at home is a lot more memorable. I read that a good guide to the amount of guests is the age of the birthday + 1. Sorry to sound like a total snob but I would never host a birthday party at McDonalds. A trip to a farm would be good but my kids have their birthdays in the height of summer and the depth of winter so at home is the best option for us. Pass the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs – fun, fun fun and easy!
I must admit I just had a McDonalds party recently for my daughter. We only have a small two bedroom apartment in Canada and to find suitable space for a party of 10 would not have been practical or pleasant. We don’t even have room for a dining room table. Secondly, as we are new to Canada – we only knew the children as school friends of my daughter’s and I would not have felt comfortable opening up my home to people I barely know let alone spend a huge amount of $ holding the party in other suitable environments. McDonalds provided the cake and a party host who coordinated the games with the children however we did our own lolly bags and treats for them to take home. All in all it worked out okay and I must admit I was happy just to leave and let them clean up the mess!
Thank you! Must email you the pics of the invitations and thank you notes…
BTW – meant to add that park parties seem to be a happy medium between the McDonalds generic party and the home party that seems to unnerve some people. Park parties offer plenty of space, built-in activities for the kids (i.e. playgrounds for them)and places for kids to run around and play games. They alos give the parents some freedom for decorations (or not!) and different party games.
My advice: just get there early to stake your claim (!), write lists for EVERYTHING to ensure that you remember everything, ensure you choose a park that has toilets, shade and a water tap….AND PRAY FOR FINE WEATHER! LOL