AEE Episode 1334: How to Organize a Birthday Party in American Culture
Announcer: This is an All Ears English podcast Episode 1334: “How to Organize a Birthday Party in American Culture.” [Instrumental] Announcer: Welcome to the All Ears English Podcast, downloaded more than 130 million times. We believe in Connection NOT Perfection™, with your American hosts Lindsay McMahon, the "English Adventurer," and Michelle Kaplan, the "New York Radio Girl," coming to you from Los Angeles and New York City, U.S.A. [Instrumental] Announcer: And to take your learning deeper with real-time transcripts and vocabulary practice, download our app on your iOS device. Go to AllEarsEnglish.com/bonuses. [Instrumental] Announcer: Are you planning a birthday party in the U.S.? Today find out how we organize birthday parties and get top tips to create an awesome experience and celebration for a friend or family member. [Instrumental] Michelle: Hey (hi) Lindsay, how are you?
Lindsay: Hey (hi), I'm doing great, Michelle. Let's see, we, I can't believe we're in late March already, it's insane. Michelle: I can't either. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I'm getting ready for a trip to Egypt coming up in April, and you know, we have a conference coming up at the end of March, so lots stuff going on, we are busy. We're busy. Michelle: Wow, okay, awesome. I know, that's exciting. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), yes. Michelle: Have you been to any kids' birthday parties recently? Lindsay: No, not really, to be honest I missed my niece's birthday party back in February, sadly, and then yeah (yes), that's pretty much it, I've only got one kid in my life. Michelle: What about other birthday parties, have you been to any recently or have you planned any? Lindsay: Not really, actually the most recent birthdays that I was at were back, back in, like, December, January. So, yeah (yes), no one's having birthdays. When's your birthday, by the way, Michelle? Is it November? Michelle: In the end of December, yeah (yes). Lindsay: December, so you're also a Capricorn, is that right? Michelle: Yeah (yes), I'm a Capricorn. Lindsay: Okay, very nice. I'm a Leo, so... Michelle: I don't know what the... I'm not, are you into that stuff, do you know about this? Lindsay: Kind of, a little bit, a little bit. But yeah (yes), maybe we can talk about that another day, another episode.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), I don't know the first thing about it. I mean, I think it's interesting, but I don't know. But that would be a fun topic. Lindsay: For sure, for sure. What about you, have you been to any birthday parties, or your son? I don't know. Michelle: Yeah (yes), well, he turned one a few months ago. So, I planned, like, a little get together for him, mostly family, so it was, it was small, it was in our apartment, it was casual. Just had some food that we made and got from the store. But it was fun, so yeah (yes). Lindsay: That's cool. Michelle: I was very intrigued by this question from our listener. Lindsay: Yes. Michelle: Lisa from California, Lindsay, would you want to read the question for us? Lindsay: Yeah (yes), for sure. Okay, here we go, from Lisa. So, "Hi girls, I've been listening to this podcast for a year. You guys are really amazing and very helpful, especially for my listening. I have a question. I'm currently living in California and I have an eight-year-old daughter. I'm going to throw a birthday party for her, but I don't have any idea of a typical American birthday party. Where do you usually throw a birthday party for your kid and what do I have to prepare? Piñata and goodie bag? I know there is no rule for throwing a party, but I want to know how to organize it. Thank you, Lisa from California." And Lisa left this question in her review for our podcast, right, Michelle? Michelle: Yeah (yes), that's right, that's right. Thank you so much. I... This is a really... I'm excited to talk about this today. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), and I just want to remind you guys, leave us a review for our show whether you're in the iOS app or whether you're in Apple podcasts or Spotify. Let us know what you think about the show and you can also ask your question right in there, because we do read those reviews. Okay? Yeah (yes).
Michelle: That's right, that's right. Thank you so much. Yeah (yes), well, I don't know if your daughter's birthday already passed, so hopefully this is going to be helpful for you, but either way it should be helpful definitely, and congratulations on your daughter's birthday and that's so nice that you're going to throw a party. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), that's so cool, that's so cool. I mean, this is real kind of cultural information here. Michelle: Yeah (yes), it is. Lindsay: Yeah (yes). Michelle: For sure. Lindsay: Interesting. Michelle: I mean, Lindsay, what were your birthday parties like as a kid? Lindsay: Yeah (yes), well I, like I said, I'm a Leo so I'm a lucky summer birthday, my birthday's August 3rd. I feel very lucky because I do have a lot of friends that have, like, winter birthdays and it's tough, right, it's tougher, so I feel lucky to have a summer birthday. So, I always had birthdays, like, at, you know, at the beach or at the park or the backyard barbecues, that kind of thing. There were kids, other kids, there were gifts, there was always cake, balloons, gifts, games, pin the tail on the donkey, piñata. Michelle: Ohh, pin the tail on the donkey, that's right. Lindsay: All that stuff, yeah (yes), yeah (yes). Michelle: That's cool, yeah (yes). For me, I mean, I'm, you know, a winter baby, so it's always freezing on my birthday. Lindsay: I'm sorry. Michelle: That's okay. So, it was, like, going to the movies, going bowling, going all sorts of... Lindsay: Okay.
Michelle: I mean, maybe, like, I don't think I ever did, like, an ice skating birthday, when we could've done that. Lindsay: You could have done that. Did you do a bowling birthday, though? Michelle: I think so. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), that's a common one. Michelle: I did, I did a lot of, like, house stuff where I'd have a whole group of people and then a big sleepover, and I would say that was a lot of my birthdays, but I do, I do remember doing movies. I did, I did for one birthday, do you remember the movie Spice World? Lindsay: No, I don't remember that, no. Michelle: It was the Spice Girls movie. Lindsay: Okay, okay. So, you had a party, like a theme-based party for that? Michelle: No, it was like, we all went to see the movie, and then we had a... went to a restaurant. Lindsay: That's awesome. Yeah (yes), I mean, winter birthdays can be good too, so, just, it's a lot about the seasons, right? Michelle: Yeah (yes). Lindsay: Yeah (yes), so that's good to know, I wonder what our listener's going to end up planning for her kid here. Michelle: For sure. I mean, so what can our listeners do? I mean, a few ideas that I was thinking, I mean, popular birthday parties may include like a sports venue, like indoor or outdoor. I mean, what else, Lindsay? Lindsay: Yeah (yes), game center, really common. I know last year for... It depends, did she say how old her kid is? I don't know if she said that. Michelle: I think 8.
Lindsay: Eight. So, Emery, my niece, guys you know my niece Emery, she had her 4th birthday at the bouncy house place, which was just like a huge facility in New Hampshire where kids can bounce around, and adults too, actually adults have a, have a blast there. Michelle: Ohh that's cool. Lindsay: You just, like, you jump and you bounce super high you can do flips and jumps and all kinds of fun things. So, something like that, some kind of a huge venue, they specialize in birthday parties. Right? Michelle: For sure, for sure. Or like I said, bowling or a movie. Right? Lindsay: A movie, yes, yes, for sure. Even like a restaurant, going out for a restaurant, but that might be boring for a kid. So, I don't know. Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes). And now it's really popular, like, I know my niece had, she likes Frozen. Lindsay: Ohh yeah (yes), ohh yeah (yes). Michelle: She had like Princess Elsa come and talk to all the girls. So, they did that. Lindsay: Yes. Yeah (yes), my niece is just coming out of the Elsa phase, but she was heavy into it for a while. Michelle: Yeah (yes). Wait, how old is she now again? Lindsay: So, she just turned 6, I guess. Michelle: Just turned 6, right. Okay, so yeah (yes), my niece is three and a half, so. Lindsay: Okay, yeah (yes), so that makes sense. She was really excited around 3, 4, 5, yeah (yes), for sure. But then she just dropped it. Kids drop these things so quick, it's so funny. Michelle: Yeah (yes), for sure. Or, like, you know, having a magician come. I think once my nephew had some sort of, like, scientists come and do all the stuff with like rocket ships and whatever. Lindsay: That sounds cool, that sounds cool.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes). Or, actually, I did, I almost forgot about this. There was a place called Cartoon Cuts, and a group of, like, this is, I mean, maybe I was turning 9 or something, and it was in the mall and we went to Cartoon Cuts and it was, like, doing hair and all that stuff, it was very, very, like, "girly." Lindsay: Sounds very girly. Michelle: Yeah (yes), just funny. I don't know, I don't know why I did that, but it was a really popular place, and, so, it was fun, and I think I have pictures of myself looking ridiculous. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I love that, I love that. Okay, very cool. So, there are a lot of options, it seems like, Michelle. Right, within the U.S. in terms of what, what parents do, how they plan birthday parties for kids. Yeah (yes).
Michelle: For sure. I mean, it's been a while, but these are the things that I've heard of people doing or things I've been to, but definitely, like, guys we would love to hear what you guys do for birthday parties. Not just kids', but, like, what's a typical birthday party. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), that's a really good question, you know, thinking about what should we think about. What is the person like, what are they really excited about? Do they like sports, then maybe take them to a basketball game. You know what I mean? Actually basketball, I know you're really into basketball, Michelle. Michelle: Yeah (yes). Lindsay: Basketball games are really cheap because they play so many times. Like, we were thinking of grabbing some tickets for the Denver Nuggets next week, because, like, a Tuesday night game is super cheap. Like, you know, $20, $25. Michelle: Yeah (yes), ohh that's fun. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), so.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), so yeah (yes), when you're planning for a party for someone, we have a lot of things you have to think about, and this isn't just kids necessarily. Lindsay: Yeah (yes). Michelle: But you know, what do they like, right? And also, you've got to, you've got to call around, you have to ask places for estimates, right? Lindsay: Yes. Michelle: You can say, like, if it's going to be a restaurant, you can say, "How much is it per person?" Or another bonus thing you can say is, "How much a head?" Right? Lindsay: Ohh, "How much a head?" Right? Not "ahead" but "a head". Okay.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes). Lindsay: "A head," two words, guys. Michelle: Yeah (yes), exactly. Have you heard that, Lindsay? I feel like I remember hearing that in Father Of The Bride, but I don't hear it around that much. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), you know what, I think we have the same experience, that is where I learned that term as a kid, in Father Of The Bride, because it was Frank, right, Frank, he was asking how many people... Michelle: Yeah (yes), and they said it was, like, $250 a head and he went crazy or something. Do you remember? Lindsay: That movie was on TV the other day. Guys, recommendation, if you have not seen Father Of The Bride, you must go back, this is classic 90's entertainment. And Steve Martin was fantastic in the 90's, he was fantastic. Michelle: Ohh my gosh. Lindsay: And Diane Keaton, awesome. So...
Michelle: I know. This movie gives me the warm and fuzzy, like, this is, you guys know how I feel about Friends, like, Father Of The Bride is my Friends for movies. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), exactly. Michelle: It is my favorite movie of all time. Lindsay: It's nice. Michelle: Both the first and second one. Lindsay: I feel like there's a lost art of movies that somewhere we left them in the 90's. Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes). Lindsay: This kind of innocent nature to these movies, reflective, kind of nostalgic nature to them, that I don't think exists anymore in movies, because our movies are so fast paced now and they're so intense, the technology. You know? Michelle: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes), that's true. Ohh my gosh, best movies, love them. Lindsay: Yeah (yes). Michelle: So, yeah (yes), I don't know, I hear it, Steve Martin saying "a head," so, but whatever, so, I wanted to include it. Also, you got to create the guest list, of course. Lindsay: Yes. Michelle: And mail out the invitations, include the RSVP. A lot of people do just evites, yeah (yes). Lindsay: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes), a lot of people do that, or even text message invites, keep it simple, you know, just get the invite out there, that's the most important thing. And then decide on the food, are you going to have a catered, do you want to just order a bunch of pizzas and have them delivered to where you are. You know, keep it simple, just make it happen, that's the most important thing. Michelle: Definitely. [Instrumental] Announcer: Guys, have you ever felt like you'd love to be able to laugh when everyone else laughs at a joke in English? When you understand humor, your life is just better. So, come and get our tips and tricks at our next live web class, How to be Funny in English, go to AllEarsEnglish.com/funny and sign up today. See you there. [Instrumental] Michelle: So, that's a little bit about planning. So, in the future, you know, we could go into more of the specific things that you would say if you're calling and asking, right? Lindsay: Yeah (yes). Michelle: Because that's important, but today we wanted to do kind of an intro, intro to the birthday party. Lindsay: I love it, I love it, yeah (yes). So, what else, Michelle? What else do we have to know? Michelle: Well, at the party, if it's a kids' party, what do you think about goody bags, Lindsay? Lindsay: Yeah (yes), we used to do that. I remember mom used to put them together for... It's kind of strange, it's a weird concept. Michelle: It is. Lindsay: Like, these people have come to your party, they've brought you a gift and then... I guess, yeah (yes), I guess it's like, you know, you give them a little gift, yeah (yes). Michelle: Like a "thank you for coming." Lindsay: But it's still kind of weird. So, goody bags are just little bags, little gift bags, little things that you put together for all your guests that they can go home with.
Michelle: It can be candy, little toys, so, definitely for our listeners, you know, you would want to maybe give goody bags out. Lindsay: Yeah (yes). Do they do this in weddings, too, sometimes? I feel like they might. No? Michelle: There's usually, either, like, at the hotel there is a bag for the guests who are staying at the hotel. At weddings there could be a wedding favor. Lindsay: Okay.
Michelle: So, I don't know. Lindsay: Okay, yeah (yes). We can talk about that another... Maybe it'd be cool to do like a series on wedding etiquette, like attending a wedding. Michelle: Right. Lindsay: Because I'm actually going to a wedding in April, and I haven't been to a wedding in a little while, and I feel like I need to update my etiquette. So, maybe we'll do some episodes. Michelle: That'd be awesome, that'd be fun. Lindsay: Cool. Michelle: Yeah (yes). And, I mean Lindsay, what do you think, do you think it's good to open the gifts during the party or after? Lindsay: Well, I feel like it's changed. When I was a kid, we used to always open the gifts during. The kids would sit in a circle and when their gift was up they'd kind of stand up, go over to the person and that kind of thing, but as an adults, I feel like it's less of a big deal, so the gifts kind of just get placed on a table and it's more about socializing. Michelle: Yeah (yes). Lindsay: What do you think? Michelle: Yeah (yes), I agree. I don't know, I think at kids' gifts... At kids' gifts. At kids' parties they still open them there, I think, but... Lindsay: I don't know, that could have changed. Michelle: I don't know, yeah (yes); I need to pay attention at the next one I go to. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), you've got to get ready because this is all going to be happening for you soon. Michelle: Yeah (yes), that's right. That's true, that's true. But yeah (yes), for adults, like, I feel like most of the time it's done after. Lindsay: Probably, yeah (yes). And then there's the old piñata. Right? Michelle: Exactly. Actually, now to think of it, at my son's birthday we didn't open them until after, so, who knows. Lindsay: Okay.
Yeah (yes), maybe when, you know, when they're super young it doesn't make sense because they can't open their own gift. Michelle: Yeah (yes), it's, like, what is he going to do. Lindsay: Yeah (yes). He's just... Although I feel like in my mind the one-year-old birthday is just for stuffing cake in your face, that's what kids do at the one, the first birthday. Michelle: That's right, that's right. The smash cake. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), yeah (yes), that's awesome. Michelle: So, yeah (yes), and you mentioned, so, the piñata. So, sometimes, I mean, I don't... Did you ever do that on yours? You said you did, right? Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I think so. I think when I was really young, we used to do this. This is not really something adults do, but when I was a kid for sure, we did it. Michelle: For sure, awesome. And then of course, happy birthday and the cake. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), you got to have that. I mean, you always want cake, right? That's why I go to birthday parties. Michelle: That's right. Lindsay: And weddings. Michelle: That's awesome. So, yeah (yes), I hope that this helps. Some of this was catered... Huh, catered. Some of this was directed mostly about kids, but some of this can be for if you're throwing your friend a birthday party, your partner, whatever. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), I mean, what should we leave our listeners with, Michelle, for a takeaway today? What should they come away with to remember? Michelle: Yeah (yes), well, guys, birthdays are so much fun. Lindsay: Yeah (yes). Michelle: They can be so expensive, though. So, you've got to be sure to create a budget. I am... Ohh my gosh, people spend so much money on this stuff, and I'm hoping I can avoid it somehow by doing something else or being creative. Who knows? Lindsay: Yeah (yes). I mean, it's really when you have kids it's about getting them around other kids and helping them make friends, right, it's not about so much... But I guess it's hard for me to say that because I've never had a kid, I don't know how hard it is to have them not be entertained. Michelle: I don't know, we'll see, I'm not, I don't have to think about it yet, but in a couple of years probably. Lindsay: Yeah (yes), so guys, yeah (yes), even if you don't have kids, you know, take some of the takeaways today on what are the typical norms in our culture and if you are holding some kind of a birthday party here or in another English-speaking country you can grab some of these ideas and check in with some of your friends. Yeah (yes), cool. Michelle: Awesome. Yeah (yes), so but a lot of fun. You know, guys, come back and let us know what are birthdays like in your country. Right, for kids especially. Like, what is it like, does it sound pretty similar, is it different? But this is a great kind of good cultural episode, and we also had some good vocab (vocabulary), so definitely get on our iOS app to get all those key words.
Michelle: Yeah (yes), for sure, for sure. And don't forget, there's going to be a web class coming up soon. Right, Michelle? And you and Jessica are going to tell our listeners, show them how to be funny in English. That sounds so cool, yeah (yes). Michelle: I'm excited. I'll try my best. I, I like to think that I have a little bit of a funny part to myself, so, I will try. Lindsay: Yeah (yes). For sure. I mean, like we said before, you've done standup comedy, you've done comedy writing even. I mean, you've actually worked professionally within comedy, so, that is important to know, guys, there is some real credibility there. So, guys, come join the web class. Go to AllEarsEnglish.com/funny in order to sign up and get your spot soon, because spots will fill up for this one, it's going to be a big one. Alright? Cool. Michelle: Awesome, well this has been so much fun, thanks Lindsay, and thanks to our listener for that question, and thanks guys for listening. Lindsay: Alright, take care, bye, Michelle. Michelle: Bye. [Instrumental] Announcer: Thanks for listening to All Ears English. If you are taking IELTS this year, get your estimated band score with our two-minute quiz, go to AllEarsEnglish.com/MyScore. And if you believe in Connection NOT Perfection™, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.
