apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That is a cake from Flourpatch Bakery.

I am trying to create a cake inspired by their technique for my daughter's party this weekend -- I would much rather buy a cake from them, but they don't deliver to Switzerland!

I mean no offense to this woman who organized her son's 5th birthday party, it looks great, but does anyone else find it obscene that the price range for this party space for 10 kids (and it's very hard to limit it that size) is from $670 to $935? And that may be before factoring in goodie bags, etc. I live in NYC so know that things are expensive and that this isn't out of line with other venues. But does anyone have ideas that won't set you back a small fortune for a kid's party? Keep in mind many of us don't have the space to have all those kids running around our own apartments.

*gasp*

Just the space costs $670 to $935?!

Then there is the cake, and the cookies... ($300? $400?)

I'm trying to put together a birthday party for this weekend, and I had wondered about getting a face-painter that had been at one of the birthday parties my daughter had attended... I just about fainted when the mother told me it cost $350! (there were only 5 children). We're making do with traditional party games and probably a treasure hunt (with dragons in green gelatin...). It's just not something we can afford, but there is definitely pressure from other parents to spend.

For my daughter's first birthday, we had a picnic in the park -- great food, balloons, cake, great weather... it was perfect. For her second birthday, we took everyone to a local petting zoo, and again, brought the picnic. It was a drizzly grey day -- not wet while we were there -- and it was their last day of the season, so we had the place to ourselves. It was magical! (and cheap too, since it was off-season)

The best was last year -- a traditional party at-home. Treasure hunt, musical chairs, the sock game, dancing...

Personally, I don't like the venue parties -- they feel cold and sort of forced; they don't accommodate spontaneity. Imperfect home-made parties feel best.

I think the party looks fantastic - I just hope that I don't have to spend that much on my baby's parties in the future! ;)

I agree - I remember that as a kid and now thinking back on memories that my very favorite birthday parties were at home, everyone just seemed more relaxed I think and more people could come. I don't know maybe I would feel differently if I had $1,500 to spend on something like a child's birthday, but to me now it seems a little obscene. The ideas are cute though and I think that is really the point - just to get some inspiration.