Birthday parties for my kids are undoubtedly different from those I remember while growing up in the ’90s. The ’90s were a unique time as we navigated through a technologically changing world. Frankly, birthdays just weren't as big of a deal. I was fussed over by my parents, but that was pretty much it. Here are just four ways having a birthday in the ‘90s was totally different than they are now.
We only had one "real" birthday party growing up, unlike kids nowadays getting one every year
I’m not sure if I was the exception. My birthday is pretty much on top of Christmas, so getting people together around that time was tough. This lone party was for my sixth birthday, and really all I remember was that I wore a very fashionable dress and white tights. It was 1990, and things were just beginning for this fun and transitional decade.
We still dealt in paper invitations
The internet didn’t exist yet. No, not even dial-up. Now we have Facebook events to let people know about parties. We send Facebook or text messages instead of calling to RSVP. People don’t bother so much with paper invitations. Gone are the days of these fancy invitations where you had to have everyone’s mailing address. What even is a stamp anymore?!
The party was at our house and included about five guests
If I remember correctly, we played “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” and made ornaments during my one real party. It was pretty tame — no massive blow-up obstacle courses or bubble magicians here. I did, however, get invited to some of the popular birthday places of the ‘90s. Roller skating parties were huge in the ‘90s, and it was thrilling whenever you got an invite to Skateland.
Having a party at a fast-food restaurant was totally acceptable
I wouldn’t even consider having my kid’s birthday party at Pizza Hut, Burger King, or McDonald’s, but in the ‘90s, these were happening birthday locales. At Burger King, you even got a paper crown for your special day! Chuck E. Cheese was popular too, despite the nightmarish show they put on with the animal costumes. Rumor has it that swim parties at hotels were also a thing, but I never went to any of those. And, no, none of these parties had a color theme or photo backdrop.
