Why do people make or why do birthday parties have to be extremely expensive?

It makes it seem more important when there’s more stuff around. Who cares about the people there, as long as you have cool stuff for people to look at.

Dealer’s choice, I would guess. There may be a direct correlation between creativity/imagination and ostentation/consumerism.

Completely depends on the people organizing the event. You can spend a fortune even if you’re planning the event at home, or you could have the same amount of fun and enjoyment in probably less than half the money or little than that. Some people like to have it extravagant, make an impression. Plus it’s once a year, people go all out for it.
Personally, I like it when it’s done at home, really adds a personal touch to the whole theme. It’s more special.

I’m a cheapo tightwad, I don’t do the expensive stuff. Potlucks, a few friends, a lot of good will, that does my group just fine. If I invite people to a restaurant for my birthday I pay, and it’s a small, local cafe.

My family and friends don’t do it that way, so I can’t really say. We do make a big deal out of birthdays, but it’s not an expensive deal… it’s just about getting friends and family together to celebrate. And drink, usually.

If you can afford to go all out, go all out without guilt. If you cannot, do not. Simple.

I threw a huge outdoor, summer party a couple of years ago, with 2 live bands, all the booze and food one could eat and had a marvelous time sharing with friends. But…that is a once in a great while event.

All in all, I prefer the focus of any celebration to be on a more communal level, with the greatest “offerings” an opportunity to gather friends and family for sharing and fun, not greedy designs on gift giving/receiving and shallow motive.

These less than stellar motives are obvious, especially with baby showers & weddings, where one invites as many friends of friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. with the obvious motive of getting “more.”

These events I avoid like the plague. If you only want my monetary contribution, not the energy of my company, well, sorry, I won;t be attending as yet another “filler” gift. lol

For people who have it, they spend a fortune on birthday celebrations because they can. To some, making a big deal of birthdays is one way of showing gratitude for having another year to have lived and another one to look forward to and more.

And/Or it could be the perfect excuse to be with friends and families and eat, drink and be merry! Oh what fun!

Conspicuous consumption, showing off status.

I always go back to thestoryofstuff.com This little video answers so many questions about why our society is the way it is.

Actually they don’t have to cost a fortune. It’s all in the planning and if you start planning way in advance you can find some things you will need when they are on sale. Get them then and save them for the occasion.

They don’t have to be expensive. And, if people make them that way, how could I possibly know why they do?