Make Birthdays Fun With Traditions

by Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger

24 Aug 2006 12:29 PM

Tomorrow is my son's birthday and the first day of school. He wasn't too happy about going to the first day of school on his birthday, but then I reminded him that he would get to see all of his friends from last year and play with them. So he decided it was okay.

Our children only get a birthday party with friends every other year. On the off year we just have a family party. This cuts down on the cost, amount of toys that my kids get, and every other year I don't have the stress of a party. This year my son just gets a family party. But we still put up streamers, balloons, and a "Happy Birthday" banner.

I also put a limit on how much money I spend on presents. On birthdays I spend between $50 and $75 on presents. Throughout the year I shop and buy stuff on sale or when I find good deals. This way I get more for my money than waiting and buying it all the week before.

Each year my kids pick whatever type of cake that they want for their birthday. My girls usually request items that aren't too difficult like Elmo, Winnie the Pooh, Scooby-doo, or a ladybug. My son on the other hand is notorious for choosing difficult cakes. I have made him a dump truck, two dinosaurs fighting (drawn on top) and a dragon lighting a building on fire (the dragon was made out of Styrofoam, wire, and marshmallows and then frosted with paper wings and flame, the four story building was the actual cake). This year he is really testing my art skills, and I don't consider myself an artist at all. He's requested a cake with the blue Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fighting the red Power Ranger. So I get to free draw the two characters with black decorating gel and then fill them in with frosting. I'm crossing my fingers that I can pull it off. I recently did my daughter's Scooby-doo cake like that and it turned out cute.

Birthdays mean that the child doesn't have to complete their usual chores. The birthday kid also gets to choose whatever they want to eat for dinner. Sometimes that means we've ended up with French fries and chicken nuggets. My son's dinner will be a little better twice baked potatoes and a roasted chicken from Walmart (the only chicken he will actually eat).

Having family traditions that you use to celebrate birthday's makes the day extra special. Each year your children will look forward to their birthday and the things that you do to celebrate it. What birthday traditions do your family have?

Learn more about Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years.

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Brandie (1720) 24 Aug 2006 12:59 PM

We have a plate that say Happy Birthday on it (I think I bought it at Hallmark). Anyway the birthday person gets to eat all the meals of their birthday off that plate (so that means on that day I wash it about 10 times!) But it's a cute tradition we enjoy to make the day more fun!

Teresa McEntire (2984) 24 Aug 2006 01:07 PM

What a great idea. I need a Happy Birthday plate. My kids would love it.

rida (123) 02 Mar 2007 07:57 PM

My tradition involves making the effort to do something different each year. A different theme, or venue for the party and invite friends. It takes some advance planning and effort but the way I look at it is that it's only once a year the joy and memories are worth it.

I like your idea about budgeting presents and buying sale items throughout the year and save them. Another way to simplify a theme birthday party is to get a theme package, so you don't have to run to 50 different stores looking for stuff that matches.

www.childrensbirthdaypartyplanner.com