Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2000 | 10:18 a.m.
Bonnie Gross remembers birthday and holiday parties when she was a child. They were special occasions attended by friends and family, with simple games such as pin-the-tail-on-the- donkey, small, store-bought party favors and a big, homemade cake.
Today the mother of three still includes the cake at her children's parties -- but that's just the icing on the proverbial cake.
"I decorate to the hilt," Gross said of her Halloween and birthday-party endeavors. "I want it to be something they remember."
For many parents, children's parties have become productions far beyond what they had as tikes. Pizza and cake are still popular, but often parties include skits performed by hired actors who portray Scooby Doo or other popular characters. The parties often take place at restaurants or play palaces such as Play Planet or Mountasia Family Fun Center where children can be entertained -- and parents can relax.
"It's more expensive than when I was a kid, but then it has gotten more commercial," Gross said. "We didn't have theme parties like we do now, nothing to the extreme we have now. There is a lot more commercial influence with the kids. They see something on TV or at the movies and they want it and we can do it -- so we do."
For Halloween, Gross has decorated in typical fashion for her children. OK, and a little bit for her enjoyment, too. A life-sized animated witch stirs a cauldron, and lights and sound create a spooky atmosphere. Handmade dolls placed around the home are fitted with her children's costumes from years' past and are tucked in niches around the house, looking like faux trick-or-treaters with little bags of candy. A photo of the actual child wearing the costume is placed next to the doll.
Gross is not alone in her desire to make a big production out of such yearly events as holidays and birthdays. The theme party, be it a holiday or birthday, is the popular choice for parents, says to Steve Distler, the man behind Steve-N-Kids party planners.
Distler, along with an assistant, dresses up as characters from popular television shows such as "Blues Clues," "Scooby Doo" or "Sesame Street." He attends 20 to 25 parties a week as a popular character from screen or television and plays games, doles out candy and leaves children in awe that Batman or Barney attended their party.
"Clowns are pretty much on the way out," Distler said. " They aren't enough for the kids anymore. We basically do the things that a clown used to do but in a form of the kids favorite characters that they relate to from TV or whatever."
On a recent evening Distler and an assistant entertained dozen or so children at Dawn Arvanitis' nephew's second birthday celebration.
"This is so much more exciting for the kids than just a party with games," Arvanitis said as she videotaped her nephew, Andrew, warming up to the blue-costumed assistant with Distler. "He loves it! Look at his face! So cute!"
But Distler is only the entertainment. Arvanitis spent a lot of time, and money, to turn her Southwest-themed living room into a fantasyland for Andrew, whose favorite television show is "Blue's Clues."
A "Blue's Clues" birthday banner was hung across the patio door. Napkins, plates, stickers, a half-dozen $2.99 balloons and party favors were also decorated with the blue dog's likeness. A cake expressed happy wishes to Andrew in the form of the dog.
To Cindy Scrocco, an experienced party mom in attendance, Arvanitis succeeded in creating a good memory and a fun evening for family and friends.
"It's expensive but it's worth it to see their faces light up when the (character) comes in the door," Scrocco said. "Someone else takes care of entertaining the kids for a while and you get to watch them enjoy it."
Parents can spend as little as $350 for an hour of themed entertainment, or as much as thousands of dollars for a sleepover at FAO Schwarz in the Forum Shops at Caesars. Jake Sammaripa, special events manager at FAO, said he keeps busy creating packages for children's parties in the three-story store.
Children's parties can be held in the Hot Wheels, Barbie and Star Wars area of to make a memorable moment for the child of the parents who have everything.
"It's just like Disneyland, everybody becomes a kid again," Sammaripa said. "That's what we try to create here, the magic, that once in a lifetime birthday party."
The store includes costumed entertainers and catered food, depending on who wants what.
"Clients tell us what they'd like to see and we tailor to their wishes," Sammaripa said. "We like to throw in a few things to keep them guessing. Nothing is cookie-cuttered around here."
That may be a bit over the top for Gross, a crafty mother who enjoys planning and hosting party productions for her children.
Gross has planned an Austin Powers-themed party for her nearly 8-year-old daughter, Jordan, complete with a Powers impersonator accompanied by a Dr. Evil wanna-be.
For this party, Gross has asked attendees to get up in groovy garb to continue the '60s theme of the Austin Powers' hit movies.
"It's a groovy party," Gross said. "We have had a '50s party, one year we did the Macarena. It's whatever is popular that year that we do."
Gross expects 25 kids to show and will have the shindig at a local party place. The cost of the memorable day is about $500 -- average, she said, for a children's party these days.
"A typical kid's party can run up to $1,000," Gross said. "I rented the Summerlin Community Center for Jordan's party last year and that runs up the cost. But it gives them a place to play with grass and you don't have to worry about having the kids at your house."
Gross' two older boys, Jason 13, and Ryan 15, have outgrown Winnie the Pooh or Tigger, too, for that matter.
The two boys like the more independent approach to recognize their advancing age and opt for bowling or pool parties, or a limousine ride with a handful of friends to the MGM Grand Adventures theme park.
"It's fun to do and the kids love it. That's why I do it," Gross said. "They enjoy it and it's something they, and their friends, will remember. Isn't that the point?"
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