What is one thing we all have in common? A birthday each year! And boy, do I love to plan and celebrate my family members’ birthdays! From coming up with a theme to picking out the perfect cake and decorations, I truly love it all.
When my children were younger, I would even try to theme the party to the age they were turning (while adding a play on words), and then I would get creative. There was “Two-by-Two,” where guests were invited to grab a partner and arrive at ‘Reagan’s Ark’ dressed as a pair of animals boarding the ship. Another fun theme was Ryley’s “Teddy Bear Tea at 3”, featuring bear-building and a tea party celebrating her turning three. All of her little guests arrived wearing their best tea party attire, down to the white gloves and oversized hats. Both parties were easy to plan, and the memories were quick to pop up, all because I can remember how I rhymed and themed it to the age we were celebrating.
These days, birthday parties have come a long way, and at times, it feels like moms just can’t keep up with the trends, the elaborate details, and the expense of it all. With every single moment in life being viewed as either Instagram-worthy or not, the stress of pulling off the perfect party has gotten out of hand. Venues, catering, rentals, and entertainment could be likened to a huge wedding or celebrity bash. What happened to the simple parties of the 80’s and 90’s? In our feature article, Why Keep Birthdays Simple?, the author reminds us to remember what is most important about your child’s birthday. It is the celebration of a milestone year and to honor how special and loved they truly are.
Can we find a way to reduce the social media pressure and all the stress that comes along with that and just focus on the simple? One great idea shared (that we used in our home), is to choose an experience over a big party. We asked our kids to pick an experience for their birthday, and then our family went all in to enjoy something that the birthday boy was excited to share with us. Parker had always wanted to go whitewater rafting, and that was his wish. So, we all suited up (me, reluctantly) and jumped in that raft and paddled for our lives! The joy on his face watching us go down those scary and exhilarating rapids made his day. We all ended up completely soaked, but I can still hear all the squeals and laughter from that experience. His one birthday wish was granted, and we didn’t have to spend a fortune or plan various details for weeks on end. What a day to remember for him (and us)!
Whether you are looking for a small party idea or a day to experience something new and unique, planning a celebration for your special someone will be worth it in the end. To help with some ideas, check out this year’s Birthday Planning Guide.
You will find helpful resources to get your creative planning started and find various local businesses whose job it is to take some of the stress out of it. From one parent to another, keep your party simple this year and reach out to others for help along the way.
