I’ve never understood this obsession with massive, flashy, expensive birthday parties with hired entertainers and dozens of invitations. Is it an American thing? Do other cultures have this?
I (non-american but western country) had “large” parties way back in primary school (around 5 to 10 y.o.), because at that point everyone was just little kids and so there were no cliques or anything like that, so it would be impolite not to invite your whole class - but after that point no, it would usually be like 5 people at maximum for a bit of a chill hangout.
I’ve never understood this obsession with massive, flashy, expensive birthday parties with hired entertainers and dozens of invitations. Is it an American thing? Do other cultures have this?
I (non-american but western country) had “large” parties way back in primary school (around 5 to 10 y.o.), because at that point everyone was just little kids and so there were no cliques or anything like that, so it would be impolite not to invite your whole class - but after that point no, it would usually be like 5 people at maximum for a bit of a chill hangout.
Lots of cultures have big parties for specific birthday milestones, eg Bar Mitzvahs and Quinceañeras.