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The Daily Mom

I Can't Afford My Friends

That's right, I love my friends but they're expensive. We just attended our third confirmation party this year and it's only May. We love the parties, we love being included in the guest list, we love seeing our friends and better yet partying with them but for the love of god, I hope they don't have any more children.

I don't know where you live but here in NY (and NJ) for that matter, family celebrations are huge, expensive events. I have a friend in Kansas City whose daughter's confirmation barbecue was held in their back yard and attended by only 20 people - and that was enough. Here, confirmations, communions, sweet sixteens all rival weddings. Between ordering invitations, planning the menu, buying the dress, I look at these parties as Weddings 101 for parents because they seem to be practising for the big day.

Yesterday's confirmation party was held at a very prestigious catering hall on Long Island and the guest list topped 200. The father told me the affair was costing him close to $20k! (See the picture of Lily - the food cost thousands but she just had the bread). And when an affair is that lavish one can't just give a fancy rosary as a gift - we're talking one bill a piece people. I'm done. I was hoping to use our tax refund to actually get some construction projects done in our home this year but it looks like that's not happening.

What's your favorite excuse that you use for not attending these big, swanky, expensive gatherings? We have another confirmation party in July and I need to come up with a good line. I used the 'Lily's asthma is acting up again' one in the fall so I need another one soon. Please help.