If you come from Europe or the USA and you have kids, you are in for a steep learning curve on how Brazilians spoil their kids.

Starting from the 1st birthday, it is not uncommon that there will be a huge birthday party for the toddler. Cakes, presents galore and plenty of guests. And it is gets worse with every birthday thereafter. Most of the parties have 30+ guests.

And many Brazilians want to show off and keep up with the Jones’s.

What is the problem with that? Well, if your kid has a birthday, you are expected to put on the mother of all parties and invite all the people who have invited you. And that can get expensive, very expensive.