Can we please bring back the ’90s birthday party?
You know the ones—when your mom ordered two pizzas, dumped some Doritos in a bowl, threw a cake on the counter, and called it a party. Kids showed up in their play clothes, ran wild in the backyard, maybe played a few games, put on a party hat and everyone left sticky, happy, and home by dinner. That was it. And it was perfect.
But somehow, somewhere, birthdays turned into something else entirely.
Now it feels like every party has to have a custom theme, matching signage, gift bags with monograms, balloon arches that rival wedding decor, and a full-blown weekend commitment. The pressure to “wow” has completely taken over. And don’t get me wrong—those parties are beautiful. But for many of us, it’s just not realistic. Or fun. Or affordable.
Let’s Normalize the Chill Party Again
I’m here to say it loud: **We don’t need to spend three days prepping a party for a 6-year-old** who’s going to remember the cake and whether or not someone cried during musical chairs — not the handmade banner or the themed cupcakes that took four hours to decorate.
Pizza, a backyard, some Dollar Tree balloons, and a Costco cake? YES. That’s the stuff birthday dreams are made of. And if your kid loves dinosaurs or glitter or Bluey? Great. Let that shine through in one or two little details. But we don’t need a team of helpers and a party planning spreadsheet. We need a breather.
Ever Heard of a Fiver Party?
If you’re new to the term, let me introduce you to your new best friend: the fiver party. It’s simple. You write on the invite: “Your presence is the gift! But if you’d like to contribute, a $5 bill toward something special is more than enough.”
It saves money, reduces the toy overload, and teaches kids a little something about planning and gratitude. Bonus: no one has to stress about shopping, wrapping, or showing up with a gift that costs more than the party itself.
Weekend-Friendly and Guilt-Free
And let’s talk about timing. Birthday parties don’t need to hijack an entire weekend. A couple hours on a Saturday afternoon or even after school on a Friday is more than enough. Parents still get their weekends. Kids get the fun. And everyone wins.
You don’t have to host the whole class. You don’t need a bounce house. You don’t need to feel bad if you don’t make Pinterest-level party bags. Honestly, most of us are over it, and we’re just waiting for someone else to be brave enough to dial it back.
Let’s Make Simplicity Cool Again
This isn’t about shaming anyone who loves throwing a big bash. If that’s your joy—go for it! But for the rest of us? Let’s stop apologizing for wanting to make it simpler. Let’s stop acting like the party defines how much we love our kids. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. The hugs, the laughs, the being-there? That’s what matters.
So here’s to the comeback of the laid-back, low-cost, low-stress birthday party. The kind with grocery store cupcakes and freeze tag. The kind where you don’t need a party planner—just a pizza order and a lighter that works.
Bring back the ’90s party, and bring back the fun.
