Parents across the country are joining a new trend and using crowdfunding to pay for kids’ birthday parties.One fundraiser on GoFundMe says she hopes to raise funds for an “amazing 2nd birthday for my blue eyed princess. It reads: “Due to a series of unfourtunate events, money is tight. Every dollar helps!!”
A GoFundMe official says the amount of birthday-related campaigns on the site has “skyrocketed.” Since the company’s launch in 2010, nearly $1 million has been raised for birthday celebrations from more than 20,000 donors. There was also a 330 percent increase in donation volume for birthday campaigns between 2013 and 2014. No doubt the money will have been used to pay for venues, decorations, a custom kids jersey for guests or the birthday girl/boy, and party bags, amongst other things.
Some critics say the trend is ridiculous, and say a birthday party is no reason to put yourself in debt or ask other people to give you money.
