Mother-of-three Rochelle Muscat spent close to $3,000 on her daughter Arianna’s first birthday party, which was unicorn-themed and included real horses.
But she’s not alone in wanting to spend a small fortune on her little ones special day, with research from practicalparenting.com.au finding that one in 10 parents spend more than $1,000 on parties.
The NSW-based mother said she is the type of parent ‘who starts planning their birthday before the baby has left the womb’.
Mother-of-three Rochelle Muscat (pictured) spent close to $3,000 on her daughter Arianna’s first birthday party, which was delightfully unicorn-themed and included real horses
The NSW-based mother said she is the type of parent ‘who starts planning their birthday before the baby has left the womb’ (Arianna pictured right)
Months of preparation go into every party with Rochelle making as much as she can on her own, using connections with suppliers to downsize costs and searching through Kmart and Ebay for sales
Months of preparation go into every party with Rochelle making as much as she can on her own, using connections with suppliers to downsize costs and searching through Kmart and Ebay for sales.
For Arianna’s first birthday celebration, she spent more than $600 on balloons, $450 for two hours of pony rides, $700 on catering including custom made unicorn macarons, and a suspended garden above the dessert bar.
When asked why she plans such over-the-top extravaganza’s for children that may not remember the festivities, Rochelle is open about her reasons.
When asked why she plans such over-the-top extravaganza’s for children that may not remember the festivities, Rochelle is open about her motives
‘I was watching them during pass the parcel and Arianna was sitting in the middle, watching it go around and clapping along,’ Rochelle said of the festivities
‘The kids faces say it all. You can’t put a price on that… some of them are still talking about it,’ Rochelle, who the owner and creative mind behind Pop the Balloon! Children’s Parties and Events and Party Utopia Events said.
‘I was watching them during pass the parcel and Arianna was sitting in the middle, watching it go around and clapping along.
‘She was totally in the moment. You can’t tell me that one-year-old’s don’t understand they emotions when you see that.’
For her second birthday in April this year, Arianna was treated to an ornate ‘two-tu’ party which included a frosted cake with ballet shoes on top, cupcakes and marshmallows in glasses and a blush-coloured chair and table setting.
For her second birthday in April this year, Arianna was treated to an ornate ‘two-tu’ party (pictured)
The party included a frosted cake with ballet shoes on top, cupcakes and marshmallows in glasses and a blush-coloured chair and table setting
According to practicalparenting.com.au, more than one in two parents (62 per cent) felt pressure to organise a bigger and better first birthday party for their child than that of their friends
In the past her son Aidan has been treated to a science experiment themed seventh birthday too.
According to practicalparenting.com.au, more than one in two parents (62 per cent) felt pressure to organise a bigger and better first birthday party for their child than that of their friends.
A further one in two parents (55 per cent) said they have outsourced elements of the party, be it their kid’s first birthday cake or the entertainment on the day.
But for Rochelle it doesn’t matter what other parents think (although she hopes their children enjoy themselves), it’s the pure joy of celebrating her child that encourages her to put in the extra effort.
One of the most extravagant parties Rochelle has organised through her business is a Disney princess-themed third birthday
‘I spent two days in this client’s garage building a pink-curtained material and pavilion,’ she explained
‘What I remember most from the party was this feeling of love and warmth as the adults watched their kids in this fairytale garage,’ she said
‘People need to remember that these birthdays are a celebration of the first few years of their life,’ she said
One of the most extravagant parties Rochelle has organised through her business is a Disney princess-themed third birthday.
‘I spent two days in this client’s garage building a pink-curtained material and pavilion,’ she explained.
‘What I remember most from the party was this feeling of love and warmth as the adults watched their kids in this fairytale garage. They were taking part in using the mirrors and posing against the backdrops.
‘People need to remember that these birthdays are a celebration of the first few years of their life. Before you know it they won’t want to be a superhero or a princess, they probably won’t even want you at their party.
‘Stop trying to aspire to do what everyone else does and worry less about what people around you are doing,’ she said.