My young daughters are both completely obsessed with the Hello Kitty cartoon character.
I don't remember exactly when this started, but it has been going on for a few years already and shows no sign of slowing down.
Their bedrooms are full of collectibles featuring this character's image, and they always ask for more whenever their birthdays or Christmas comes around.
I think it's a relatively harmless obsession, so I don't mind encouraging it.
In fact, I have been buying Hello Kitty party supplies for the past few birthdays in an effort to keep the theme going.
When my daughters first requested Hello Kitty party supplies, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to find them.
I wasn't very familiar with the character or brand back then, and didn't know if it was still widely popular.
Would any stores around me carry Hello Kitty party supplies? Usually they only stock the most current characters, or the ones with long-lasting mainstream appeal like Batman, Spider-Man, Beauty and the Beast, Cars, and various Disney princesses, so I had my doubts.
As it turns out, I was right.
I couldn't find anything at local shops, even after spending hours driving around from place to place.
But fortunately, there are plenty of websites that sell Hello Kitty party supplies online.
That's where I should have gone first, now that I think about it! Anyway, I was pleased to be able to find full sets of paper plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery all emblazoned with the famous white cat with her red ribbon.
In addition to serving sets, I also found banners, streamers, balloons, gift bags, and other essential decorations that all birthday parties need to have.
What I especially liked about shopping online for Hello Kitty party supplies is that I discovered several different designs at different stores.
I initially thought I would be limited to the same basic design that I would have to use year after year, but that wasn't the case at all.
Thus far, I've hosted three birthday parties for my daughters (with one more coming up in a few months) using Hello Kitty party supplies, and haven't had to use the same decorations twice.
That's pretty good, because I know my daughters would notice and wouldn't be as thrilled as when seeing something completely new.
It might sound like I'm spoiling my girls a bit, but I don't think that's happening.
They're actually very good kids who don't whine and complain when they don't get their way.
I figure it's okay to indulge them on a special occasion like their birthday, and buying Hello Kitty party supplies isn't going too far.
The way I see it, they're only young once, so what's the harm?