Pinoy Parents Reveal How Much They Spend On Their Kids' Birthdays

It has always been a part of Filipino tradition to celebrate birthdays. What is your favorite memory of your birthday celebrations? Perhaps we can't remember some of them, but we can hardly forget some.

I loved my seventh birthday. We celebrated it at home, but I was so surprised to wake up with so many decorations. As a quiet child, it made me feel so giddy. I also will never forget my 12th birthday. We only celebrated at home as a family of four, but my parents gave me what's on my birthday wishlist—a cute bag! Simple or grand, birthday celebrations will be part of a child's core memory.

We asked parents from the Smart Parenting community about how much they are willing to spend on their children's birthdays. Some would gladly spend up to Php 100,000, especially for milestone birthdays.

However, more than 70 percent of parents who responded to the poll at the Smart Parenting Village Facebook group said that they opt to travel with family instead.

Here are some birthday celebration ideas for your kids and how much they cost from fellow parents.

How Parents Celebrate Their Kids' Birthdays And How Much They Spend

1. A very intimate family travel experience

Mom of one and Smart Parenting contributing writer Riyalyn Pasimio shared how she and her husband preferred to travel than throw parties for their daughter, "Nag-decide na kami na hindi kami mag-birthday parties for her, unless personally i-request niya pag older na siya. Travel talaga ang celebration namin ng birthday niya."

She shared that they've been to Baguio, Pangasinan, Palawan, Iloilo and Cebu so far. Aside from these trips, they also brought their daughter a gift and a cake on her birthday. "We enjoy the local food and restaurants. Si Roice, may favorite food yan per destination. Meaning those travels are worthwhile for her, too. I guess hindi totoo yung hindi naman maaalala ng bata yung travel. For us, she remembers her favorite parts of every travel," Riyalyn added.

^{Mommy Riyalyn and her family during one of her daughter's birthday trips}

They spend around Php 20,000 to Php 35,000 for their travels, depending on the location, but they plan everything ahead of time to save on costs.

2. A celebration at a kiddie restaurant

Some parents meanwhile prefer to celebrate their kids' birthdays in popular restaurants like Jollibee or McDonald's, where they spend between Php 20,000 to Php 30,000 for less than 50 guests.

3. A grand 1st birthday celebration

Others shared how they spend around Php 60,000 to Php 100,000 for a milestone birthday celebration like their baby's first birthdays. Mommy Karen shared that they celebrated her child's baptism and birthday in one at a hotel in Malabon. They spent around Php 100,000 for a party for 100 guests.

4. A heed to the child's requests and interests

Mommy Sari also commented, "Whenever my child celebrates her birthday, I see to it that I consider her current interests and age." For instance, she celebrated her daughter's first and second birthdays lavishly. On her daughter's third birthday, she invited her child's friends to an intimate celebration at home, and on her actual birthday, they went to Disneyland, as per her child's request. Their family spent around Php 120,000 for this trip.

^{Mommy Sari fulfilled her daughter's wish to spend her birthday at Hong Kong Disneyland} 

5. A camping or beach experience

Mommy Cherry Vi Lascañas and her family love camping or going on a beach trip! Being in nature means reduced screen time and more intimate family experiences.

The last time they went camping at Tanay, Rizal. They spent about Php 20,000 for their fare, kubo rentals, and food. They also went on a Boracay trip, where they spent around Php 60,000 for their eldest child's celebration.

6. An unforgettable family trip

Mommy Krisanta Bayanban recounted their experience, “Nakagawian na namin mamasyal tuwing birthdays nila [mga anak]. We choose places to visit depende kung anong interest nila at the time. Umiikot na kami ng zoos, farm, beach or ocean park. They know na what they like to see kaya tinatanong na namin sila minsan. Kung pasok sa budget, then go. Our eldest, akala niya ata pasyal to places ang way ng pag-celebrate talaga ng birthdays. When I shared to him a few months back na malapit na birthday niya, ang tanong sakin is "Where are we going, Mommy?"

^{Mommy Krisanta with her kids at Yoki's Farm in Tagaytay}

Their family spends around Php 7,000 to Php 30,000 for these trips, which already covers entrance fees, gas, and food, inclusive of at least 8 adults and 2 toddlers usually per trip. Some of the places they visited were Yoki's Farm in Tagaytay, Manila Ocean Park, Manila Zoo, and Zambales beach.

On child's birthday celebrations: Spend only what you can afford

Nevertheless, the way you spend your child's birthday is up to you and your budget. As Mommy Sari puts it, "Each party is unique and may have its pros and cons. Birthday parties allow your child to mingle and celebrate with friends, family, and relatives. They will feel exceptional. They will receive a lot of gifts that will excite younger children. Traveling with family allows you to bond intimately, but whatever your choice is, it's important to consider your child's opinion and interests."

Remember, your birthday plans for your child could depend on your love language at home, your family income, your values and family traditions. You might feel pressured to conform to societal norms, but do something within your budget and interests. As some parents said, "Live within your means. Iwasan 'yung ipapangutang pa 'yung pampa-birthday."

Celebrating birthdays is one way we show how we are grateful for somebody's gift of life, and each life is a blessing. We only get to celebrate it once a year, a few times in our lifetime, so make the celebration count. It doesn't matter how much or how little you allocate for their birthdays, but it's about being present and creating new core memories together.

Is your child's birthday coming up? Read effective strategies from parents on how you can save up here.