As 90s kids, part of the excitement we had going to school was receiving party packs from birthday celebrants. Our excitement grew in leaps and bounds on the once-in-a-year occasions when we were the ones giving out party packs.
The trend carries on till today, but party packs have now become a status symbol of sorts, with some parents determined to outdo others. These young Nigerian mums shared their stories with Zikoko.
“The most I’ve spent on party packs is ₦150k” — Ayomipo*, 31, Entrepreneur, 1 kid
Party packs have become a thing of competition among parents. Some of these kids, especially toddlers, don’t even understand the idea behind party packs. The most expensive pack my son got came in a big box. There were lots of toys, a storybook, a water bottle, a plate and cutlery set and lots of sweets and chocolates. I’d never seen a party pack that big and filled to the brim.
My son is just two, and the most I’ve spent on party packs is ₦150k. He hasn’t gotten to the point where he understands that a party pack is small or bulky. In my opinion, a decent spend shouldn’t exceed ₦5k per kid. It also depends on how many kids you intend to give.
“We got a super expensive water bottle; I checked the price online” — Rebecca*, 33, Customer service team lead, 1 kid
I’m yet to spend on party packs as my son is just ten months old, but he attends crèche and comes home with party packs a lot. The most expensive pack he got had this beautiful water bottle that cost a lot. I know this because I checked it out online. The pack itself was a lunch bag with so many other items I can’t remember.
My child is still a baby and doesn’t even know what a party pack is for now. I’d always say people should buy what they can afford; things that kids actually need. I also think age is a huge determinant of how expensive the pack should be. If you spend say ₦5k per pack on a two-year-old’s birthday, by the time the child is five, you can’t spend the same ₦5k. The content of the pack would be different, and the price of most items would’ve changed.
“What we can afford is what we go for” — Morenike*, early 30s, Journalist, 2 kids
I’m married with two beautiful girls. The first is four, and the second will be three in a few months. The goal is to have five kids, but I’m reconsidering. And this economy, ehn? I haven’t given much thought to what we’ve spent on party packs, but with the last birthday, we spent about ₦200k.
I try to do something different each time, to make the children happy. I’m never one to move with the pack; I cannot be pressured. Whatever we can afford is what we go for, and my kids don’t feel a certain way about the bulkiness of a party pack.
“I spend almost a million naira at a time on party packs” — Temilade*, early 30s, Entrepreneur, 2 kids
My girls are six and four. I’ve spent almost a million naira each time I do party packs, and looking back, I’m side-eyeing myself. In my children’s school, party packs dey like competition. Every parent wants to be seen as the best or richest. My kids have received tablets alongside other gifts before. Not a toy tab. I mean, the ones that sell for almost ₦40k. I couldn’t believe it. I had to double-check the other child’s pack and saw the same thing.
It has now become a competition. And these children don’t mind. We parents are the ones causing wahala. We always want to create a lasting impression.
“I once spent N350k on party packs, and I don’t think it’ll happen again” — Fatima*, 29, Entrepreneur, 1 kid
I have just one kid, he’s six years old, and we’ve had our fair share of party packs. In fact, my son threw a tantrum on his fifth birthday. I’d shown him items to be included in his party packs, and he wanted us to include this spiderman toy he’d gotten when a classmate marked his birthday. I explained that everyone in the class already had the same toy, so there was no need to buy it again. The most I’ve spent on party packs is ₦350k for my son’s fifth birthday, and right now, I don’t think I’ll be spending that much again. These kids remember, but they also forget.
You must also learn to teach your kids contentment. Because Mummy X did this doesn’t mean I have to do that. If you don’t instil certain values in kids now that they’re small, you’re setting yourself up for headaches when they grow older.
