The true cost of birthday parties

I have several reasons why I am not actively job hunting. One of the more immediate has been my older son's seventh birthday party.

Parties in general cause me a great deal of consternation. Who to invite, how to invite, where to have it, how to do it. I am not a natural at entertaining and whatever social hang-ups I have become amplified at the prospect of putting myself out there for rejection and criticism.Throughout my childhood my parents never entertained and I have internalized the reasons why.

Thankfully I have Fat Tony to drag me into reality (kicking and screaming). He did most of the planning,  leaving me to obsess about the house and details like napkins and plates. He came up with some fun games and I came up with cookie and cake decorating activities. We both baked and shopped at different times. On party day Fat Tony led the way and a fun time was had by all. Yay, teamwork.

In terms of money spent, my estimates on food and drink are ~$100 (we bought pizza for 15 kids and some parents). We easily spent $50 on baking goods and decorating accessories that can be used another time. Party treats amounted around $110. So, $260 out of pocket.

Now what if I were working and took time away from work for shopping, baking, cleaning, rearranging furniture, doing more shopping? Since Fat Tony stays at home, we don't really have a number to attach to his time. Let's say my hourly rate falls around $50 an hour. Let's say I spent 4 work hours during the week on this, so another $200. (I'm not counting the time I spent outside of work hours.) That brings us to $460.

Here's a link on birthday party costs.  If we had gone to Chuck E. Cheese's, for example, we would have easily spent $325 in addition and we'd still have to get party treats and a cake. So, around $475 altogether.

Hmm. It really all comes down to how we value our time. If we don't think our time is worth much, then at home parties are the way to go. However, if I had put any sort of number on Fat Tony's time (and the stress involved with preparing), then going out is a no-brainer.

However, I am going to say that I am happy we did the at-home party. Opening our home is a good thing for me psychologically. The personal growth from confronting my entertaining fears is worth at least one therapy session. (~$200/hr).

By the way, our theme was Godzilla, so a few links here on the amazing things I found on that theme:
Here's one from one amazing mom
Here's one from a very cool bakery I don't live near
This is one Godzilla and I might try