Have Children's Birthday Parties Gone Over the Top?

My Super Sweet 16 seems to have created a culture of excess when it comes to celebrating a child's birthday, or was it always there and we just didn't realize?

Birthdays have become a huge deal, with parties costing hundreds of dollars and guest lists often topping 30 (or more) children. The parties can stress parents—and children—with high expectations.

When Editor Maya T. Prabhu was a child, it was a expected the she would spend every birthday at Chuck E. Cheese's with dozens of friends.

Some say that too many gifts, too much money and too much "stuff" in the form of guest gift bags are examples of crass conumerism. Others say they're only young once, and a fun party doesn't hurt anyone.

Do you feel that the birthday party scene in Glen Burnie has become competitive? What do you think is an appropriate birthday party for an elementary, middle or high school child? What's appropriate and how much is too much?

Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch Editor Mitchelle Stephenson contributed to this article.