::: birthday wishes 2005 celebrates the vibrant chaos of childrens birthday rituals, particularly the special luxuries and the little delicacies that we learn to expect on such occasions. The series questions if there exists an underlying competitiveness and pressure for parents, targeted by advertising and the immense number of birthday packages available to families, to be bigger and better.
:: awards
:: 2007 Finalist Sixth Leica CCP/ Documentary Photography Award.
Exhibition touring nationally 2008 - 2009 www.ccp.org.au:: 2006 Highly Commended NOISE: Spirit of Youth Awards www.noise.net/nataliemccomas
:: exhibitions
:: 2006 Starter Space, Watermall Cafe, Queensland Art Gallery.
Twelve-year old Cecilia's pool party
Length of party: two hours.
$10 a head for thirteen children.
Cecilia’s mother: ‘I had few parties, but remember them as being special. I still think this applies – a sense of the birthday person being ‘celebrated and honoured’ if you like, which I think is important… I think birthdays are much more special than Christmas or Easter.’
Four-year old McKeely’s princess party
Ten hours of ‘shopping and research’ the previous day to the party
Forty children and fifteen adults attended the party
Jumping castle hire, fairy floss machine hire, piñata, decorations, food, drinks, and lollies for loot bags: $950McKeely’s mother: ‘Today we spend more on average, and even though I did it my self, I think the one stop places are becoming more popular e.g. McDonalds and other places that you pay per head that are set up ready for the party and all you have to do is turn up… these are the types of parties that are easier for most working families.’
Nine-year old Mitchell’s magician party
One week of preparation prior to the party day
Twenty-eight children invited
Cost of magician: $260 for forty minutes
Total cost of party: $500
Four-year old McKeely’s princess party
Five-year old Lisa’s rainbow party
Six months spent ‘thinking about theme and looking for ideas at shops’
Thirty children and fifty adults attended the party
Length of party: four hours
Total cost of party: $600Lisa’s mother: ‘My parents were a one-income family, so we always had immediate family dinner and a cake… when I was older I would take one friend to McDonalds. We are a two-income family and I really enjoy the planning of the party. It has evolved into an enjoyable event with extended family helping with food, blowing up balloons… everyone gets involved.’
Four-year old Montana’s Barbie party
Four-year old Montana’s Barbie party
Table setting from Big W
Eighteen children attended the party
Total cost of party: $200
Five-year old Lisa’s rainbow party
Four-year old Montana’s Barbie party
Five-year old Ryan’s superhero party
Eighteen children attended the party for three hours
Total cost of party: $100
Combined birthday party for Kyla, Caleb and Buddy all turning three
Six-year old Matthew’s disco party
Matthew is an only child. His party was held at the family home in Yeronga
Twenty-four hours were spent on organising the party
Sixteen children and thirty adults attended the party for two hours
Disco lights, smoke machine hire, food and beverages cost: $300Matthew’s mother: ‘We celebrate in different ways each year – last year was Hungry Jacks. Matt is an only child and it is a nice way to thank his friends and family for supporting him each year by inviting them to his party.’
Six-year old Chloe’s birthday party
Four weeks of preparation prior to the party day
Twenty children attended the party
Total cost of party: $350Chloe’s mother: ‘I try to share and take it in turns with each daughter. So next year will be her sisters party.’
Nine-year old Mitchell’s magician party
Nine-year old Mitchell’s magician party
Five-year old Lisa’s rainbow party
Combined birthday party for Kyla, Caleb and Buddy all turning three
Kyla, Caleb and Buddy are in foster care
Thirty-five people attended the party
Jumping castle hire: $200 for four hoursKyla’s foster mother: ‘Because all my children are in foster care, I think it’s important to make a big deal of the celebrations in their life… most of them have missed out on this aspect of childhood before coming into care… I try to organise parties that the children will enjoy, rather than organising it for the guests.’
Three-year old Will’s space party
Will is an only child. His party was held at the family home in Hamilton
Four weeks of research and preparation prior to the party day
Sixty-five people attended the party
Invitations, catering, face painter, entertainer Nicky Noo, gift bags, cake, decorations, table setting, helium machine hire, table and chair hire: $2200
Five-year old Bailee’s McDonalds party
Length of party: ninety minutes
$10 a head for twenty children