It?s birthday season in our house, which means I have a Rubbermaid container downstairs full of craft supplies and Pinterest-inspired party décor. There are homemade banners, DIY party hats and hand-crafted thank-you cards. And that?s just the beginning.
My daughter turns five in a couple of weeks, and has her heart set on a unicorn and rainbow-themed celebration. She still gushes about last year?s Paw Patrol party, and the previous year?s carnival-themed shindig. She?s quickly learning that parties in our family are elaborate, and the planning begins months in advance. There are colour schemes and pun-ny snacks. The gift bags match the balloons, which co-ordinate with the cake.
I?m bracing for a whirlwind week of Pinning, glue gunning and baking. I?m also bracing for the comments.
The comments are often praise (?You did all this yourself"?), tinged with an undertone of sarcastic scorn (?Um, we can?t be friends anymore?), and a pinch of self-deprecation (?All I serve at parties is chips?). After all, what parent has the time and energy to create homemade themed parties for preschoolers"
It?s the scorn that?s starting to get to me?which is why décor crafting and cake baking has become my secret shame. This year I even considered scaling back the unicorn party as a sort of white flag gesture. I?ve heard enough, ?Ugh, I hate Pinterest moms? to know that my hobby has made me unpopular.
A typical lunch created by the author for her daughters. Photo: Courtesy of Krist...