I spent hundreds on my daughter's birthday. The thing she remembered most cost $2.
A parenting professional argues that parents should move away from expensive, elaborate birthday parties for children. She notes that her own children often value simple, low-cost experiences over costly, highly-produced events.
Why it matters
It reflects a growing cultural pushback against the 'Instagram-perfect' lifestyle and the financial pressure parents feel to curate childhood experiences.
Olivia Pollock is a mom of two and VP of Evite. Courtesy of Olivia Pollock Olivia Pollock is a mom of two and vice president of brand at Evite. She says she's done with elaborate kids' parties for her own kids. She changed her mind after throwing her 7-year-old a pricey Taylor Swift-themed event. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Olivia Pollock , vice president of brand at Evite . It has been edited for length and clarity. I have a core memory of getting ready for a friend's birthday party when I was growing up in the 90s. It was at Chuck E. Cheese , which was, to me, the pinnacle of party sophistication at the time. I remember putting on my Sunday dress and nice shoes because the party was such a big deal. I still love a Chuck E.
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