7. Circus Carnival Party: Bring the fun of the circus to your backyard with games like ring toss, balloon animals, face painting, and a mini-performance area for the kids to show off their talents ...

Another chimed in: "I don't think gifts of any kind are essential for a birthday party." Elaine Swann, a lifestyle and etiquette expert, said such a request could be considered selfish.

The cost of a child's birthday party is still high – and the price tag for parents likely escalates as their kids gets older, a new survey suggests. Parents spend, on average, $314 on a child's ...