What’s happened to kid birthday parties?

I’ll tell you — social media, that’s what’s happened. Suddenly, kids’ birthday parties have to be HUGE. And beige. You have to have giant beige birthday parties that cost a gazillion dollars.

Is anyone else sick of that nonsense? Because I certainly am.

Kids’ birthday parties used to have character. They used to have normal themes. They used to look like the kids actually chose what they wanted instead of the parents. They used to be at skating rinks and bowling alleys and parks. Or just at home. A normal sized home.

Now? They look curated. Perfect. Like a photo op.

Remember when birthday parties were all homemade cakes and paper plates? Remember when parties didn’t have to look like you hired a party planner? Remember when you didn’t have to style every picture, make it picture perfect for social media? Remember when all you got were a few shots between the fun?

I remember.

And just in case you need to hear it, social media is a lie.

Make the homemade cake. Let your kid pick the theme. Use all of the colors. Get the awesome pictures, but the rest of it? Nonsense.

Birthdays were better before social media, just like life.

Here’s your permission to opt out.