Children's Party

The following describes a typical kiwi children’s party for children 6 to 10 years old.

Invitations are sent to each child the celebrant wants to invite usually 1 to 2 weeks in advance. Note that the invitation is only for the child and not for the parents. The parents are not included in the invite and therefore are not expected to attend.

On the date of the party, the parents drop off their children at the party’s venue at the exact time. Bihira ang late. The parents are not expected to stay while the party is going on. The parents would normally leave and come back later at the exact time stated in the invitation to pick up their children. If you are a parent and you decide to stay, don’t expect to be offered any food or refreshment. If the venue is in a restaurant, at Mcdonalds, or anywhere in a public location you might have to buy or bring your own food. I’ve attended a few parties, and it is common to see kiwis bringing in their own bottles of beer or wine. Kung sa bahay ang venue, ang usual na handa, pizza, chips, popcorn, sausages, chicken nibbles, candies, softdrinks, ice cream.

After the party, each child is given a a small plastic bag called loot bag containing small toys, and some lollies.

Ok din ang kiwi style. Kasi walang hassle kung ikaw ang nagpapa-party. Hindi pa magastos. Just invite the kids at McDonalds, buy each kid a kid’s meal, tapos may libre pang cake na ibinibigay ang McDo. Dalawang oras tapos ang party. Konti lang ang pagod, masaya pa ang mga kids.

Eto naman ang typical pinoy chilren’s party.

Wala ng invitation. Tatawagan na lang ng parents by phone ang mga ka-kosa. Expect mong isasama si tatay, inay, lolo, lola, apo, buong baranggay, pati yung mga chinese/japanese home stayers, kung meron.

Kung hindi sa bahay ang venue, maaring mag-hire pa ng private hall para magkasya lahat ng bisita. Magdadatingan ang bisita 30 minutes to an hour late. Filipino time e. Siempre bongga ang handa. Embutido, menudo, pancit, spaghetti, chicken nibbles, sausages, lumpiang sariwa, morcon, spring rolls, barbecue, kanin na nasa rice-cooker, ice cream at sari-saring dessert. Bumabaha ng beer at cola. At kung 7th bertdey at only child pa, baka may lechon pa. Ang entertainment, videoke. Ilabas ang magic mike at pakantahin ang mga aspiring Pinoy Idol.

After 4 or so hours, doon pa lang mag-uuwian ang mga bisita. At hindi lang mga bata ang may loot bag. Pati matatanda may loot bag, balot-balot ng mga tirang ulam.

But wait there’s more…

Hindi doon nagwawakas ang tipar. Tandaan mo kapag ang party ay lunch or merienda, ang kasunod noon ay dinner. Yung ibang kaibigan didiretcho pa sa bahay mo. Kung nasa bahay na kayo mag-stay pa sila para sa hapunan at midnight snack. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang saya, inuman, kantahan, kwentuhan. Kulang na lang doon na sila matulog sa inyo.

Yan ang party Pinoy-style. Hay naku, Pinoy nga naman! Kung minsan naiisip ko tuloy, alin kayang style ang mas nakapagpapasaya sa mga bata especially yung may bertdey?