The Party Trend Dividing Parents 

Tiered birthday parties are the latest trend to sweep school years across the globe.

Seen by some as a way of being inclusive to all kids whilst still allowing children to celebrate their birthday with their closest group of friends, other parents are criticising the trend as ‘mean’ and ‘hurtful’.

What are tiered birthday parties?

Known also as two-tiered birthday parties, the idea is essentially that a child will invite all of his or her class to their main birthday party, but then at the end of the main event, a much smaller, more select group of children will be invited on for a second celebration too. 

Normally a sleepover, or something held at the child’s home, the idea is that where most parents can’t host a whole class in their house, they can still let their child have a birthday event with just their closest friends

So, what’s the problem with tiered birthday parties?

Children’s birthday parties can be controversial enough already. How much do you spend on a child’s birthday gift? Should siblings be invited to the party? Should other parents stay to provide moral support instead of leaving? And the idea of two tiered parties seem to be no exception.

While some parents have defended their decision to throw one, arguing that they wanted to include the whole class in the party but could only safely let their child invite four or five children to stay the night, others have branded the idea as ‘mean-spirited.’

Some mums have expressed that their child would feel they were left out or not as popular if they discovered they were not invited to the VIP after party.

So, what do you think? Do you think tiered birthday parties are cruel? Or just practical for the parents, not personal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.