With my daughter's birthday, everybody has celebrated a birthday in China. My wife's and my birthday were low key as usually. We went out to dinner (like usual) and then brought back a small cake to blow out candles. We do try to splurge a little to make birthdays more of an event for our kids.
Back in the U.S., we usually held parties at my office -- it's a converted sewing factory so there is 5000sf for tricycle/razor scooter riding, ping pong, badminton, karaoke and 2 office cats also provide kids plenty of amusement. The location was free but the food we paid for. Sometimes we'd cook ourselves but other times, we'd order from our friend's restaurant -- both cases though, food costs usually ran about $500 per party. (Cooking ourselves should be cheaper but we often picked more expensive dishes to prepare.)
In China, most families with just slightly above average income will prefer either McDonald's or KFC for bashes for kids. These two franchises might have a look & feel similar to those in the U.S. but they are considered rather desirable places to work. At KFC, the counter you order at looks just like ones everywhere else. But after you make your order, floor staff brings your food to your table. KFC will also have periodic functions (parties) for kids where their staff will lead children through games, prizes, singing and dancing. And for birthdays, they will reserve choice seating next to the play structures, assign several workers to take orders for you, bring out the cake/candles, manage the area -- in general, give you service as if you were dining in a private room.
In the KFC photo to the top/left, notice all the smartly-dressed female KFC staff working at the party -- there were probably 8 in total for a group of 20 kids. And from attending this party, one of them recognizes us each time we drop by and will take our orders for us without having to wait at the counter (ie, cut in line for us). Basically, China has the manpower (or womanpower in this case) to throw at service.
So for our son's birthday last year, we held it at KFC. A total of 15 adults, 10 kids showed up with a food bill of 450rmb at KFC and 150rmb for 2 cakes. If we use the formula of each kid eating about half the food of an adult, the number calculates out to roughly 22.50rmb per person. The average meal including drink in a China KFC runs 12rmb-15rmb so our number is not too far off. The longer stay at our party probably meant we ate on average 1.5 meals. The cost of cake was then 7.5rmb per person -- again, about right as a slice of cake from the bakery is 5rmb (and people pigged out on more than just 1 slice). In total, this party ran 600rmb or 30rmb ($4.40 USD) per pro-rated adult. Now the cost isn't much cheaper than holding a similar bash in a U.S.-based KFC as you could get 3 20-piece buckets plus drinks for under $100 total (or $5 per person).
For this reason, we've decided to change our plans for our daughter's birthday. Due to the lack of price breaks, we instead chose the western style buffet at Taishan's latest (and only) 4 star hotel. At 53rmb per adult and 26 per kid, it definitely is more expensive per person. However, the food is not only better but the variety wider so you can try to make up the price on quantity. For example, they serve fresh squeezed pear juice which costs 8rmb at a fruit juice vendor. They also have good coffee -- 12rmb-18rmb at most upscale restaurants. Finally, they have dessert varieties from ice cream to creme brulee to mousse cakes -- 5rmb per helping at a bakery. Just arrive with an empty stomach. :) We ended up pairing down our list of guests slightly to 10 adults, 5 kids. Our daughter was under the height limit and was free of charge. In addition, since this was a birthday bash, we got another kid charge waived. So at 608rmb, we ended up spending right about the same amount as our previous KFC party but had a much more enjoyable experience.
I also finally got to wear my suit that was custom-tailored for me here in China. In this sleepy part of China, it's rare for people to dress up -- even at weddings, the groom might only wear a simple shirt and tie. So you might say having a birthday party at a fancier restaurant finally justified 400rmb ($60 USD) of impulsive spending.
(Filed in china, cost of living, spending)
Birthday Parties
Posted by Mossy
March 14, 2010 12:18 PM
Back in the U.S., we usually held parties at my office -- it's a converted sewing factory so there is 5000sf for tricycle/razor scooter riding, ping pong, badminton, karaoke and 2 office cats also provide kids plenty of amusement. The location was free but the food we paid for. Sometimes we'd cook ourselves but other times, we'd order from our friend's restaurant -- both cases though, food costs usually ran about $500 per party. (Cooking ourselves should be cheaper but we often picked more expensive dishes to prepare.)
In the KFC photo to the top/left, notice all the smartly-dressed female KFC staff working at the party -- there were probably 8 in total for a group of 20 kids. And from attending this party, one of them recognizes us each time we drop by and will take our orders for us without having to wait at the counter (ie, cut in line for us). Basically, China has the manpower (or womanpower in this case) to throw at service.
So for our son's birthday last year, we held it at KFC. A total of 15 adults, 10 kids showed up with a food bill of 450rmb at KFC and 150rmb for 2 cakes. If we use the formula of each kid eating about half the food of an adult, the number calculates out to roughly 22.50rmb per person. The average meal including drink in a China KFC runs 12rmb-15rmb so our number is not too far off. The longer stay at our party probably meant we ate on average 1.5 meals. The cost of cake was then 7.5rmb per person -- again, about right as a slice of cake from the bakery is 5rmb (and people pigged out on more than just 1 slice). In total, this party ran 600rmb or 30rmb ($4.40 USD) per pro-rated adult. Now the cost isn't much cheaper than holding a similar bash in a U.S.-based KFC as you could get 3 20-piece buckets plus drinks for under $100 total (or $5 per person).
I also finally got to wear my suit that was custom-tailored for me here in China. In this sleepy part of China, it's rare for people to dress up -- even at weddings, the groom might only wear a simple shirt and tie. So you might say having a birthday party at a fancier restaurant finally justified 400rmb ($60 USD) of impulsive spending.
(Filed in china, cost of living, spending)
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