OK, I hope I don’t step on any toes here. This is just my personal opinion.
For some reason, I tend to steer away from “character” clothes and/or decor. Let me explain. I would probably not buy Carson clothes that have Diego or Spiderman on them. A shirt or two here and there or PJ’s is not that big of a deal. But a Monsters Inc. bedspread is out of the question. I’m not sure exactly why. I think it is because I prefer a more timeless look, especially for something like a bedroom, that I hope to not redo very often. These cartoon characters that the kids love are really a fad, a phase they are going through, and I’d rather not invest lots of time/money in this month’s favorite TV show.
HOWEVER! I feel the exact OPPOSITE when it comes to birthdays, which is really strange. I think it is way fun to have a birthday theme that is totally topical, all about what my kid is into RIGHT NOW. I will always look back and remember that Carson loved Elmo when he turned 2, and loved CARS when he turned 3.
I think it may stem from my childhood! I think it is a total hoot to look back and see the cakes that my mom made (and now I know how HARD she worked to make them!). They remind me of the fad I was into at the time, or the toys I loved. It takes me back on a very enjoyable trip down memory lane. We’ll see how long I can keep up the cake decorating tradition, but for now it’s definitely worth my time.