As I looked around E.B.’s bedroom this past week I made an executive decision. Based upon the outrageous amounts of toys received during the holidays and making note that all but 2 of those toys had seen actual playtime, I decided that E.B. would not be having a birthday party next month.
I know. I know. I’m a terrible mom and such a funsucker, right?
I do plan to send cupcakes to school on the day of his actual birthday so he can “celebrate” with his friends that day, but we’ve decided this year to take him on a little weekend roadtrip and do some fun things instead of having a traditional party with another slew of gifts.
On that list of fun things? A monster truck show. Ohdearlordbabyjesus, I never thought I would be caught dead at one of those, but E.B. loves monster trucks, and who am I to deny the birthday boy that small pleasure in life? We’re also planning to stop in at Incredible Pizza and perhaps the Memphis Zoo, depending on the weather. So, the celebration will still go on, just a little differently this year.
How does your family celebrate birthdays? Big parties, small get-togethers, fun activities? I’m always open to alternative ideas, so share with me how your family does things.
used to do my own fun bd parties for kids until last year with our move. loved to mommy and me w.e. for anysa and baseball game for luke on their last bds. will do similar this year!
i love asking for activities or events instead of presents from grandparents…if they listen!
We do the whole thing – a party at home with cake and simple snacks with his friends, he gets to choose dinner the night of his birthday. So I'm not help!
But a friend of mine with a daughter my son's age looked around her child's room and had the same reaction you did. She had a birthday party with cake (maybe at the skating rink or something – can't remember – they live in Oxford) and asked each child to bring a donation for the local animal shelter in lieu of a gift. Apparently, it went over big – the parents *and* the kids loved it.
We put on the invite we want their presence, not presents.
We don't do big parties either. My son doesn't need any more toys either. And so many families we know are struggling right now, I didn't want to throw a big party that would make them feel like they had to spend money on gifts for him. We always just have a little party with the grandparents. It's a great idea to take them some place special.
NHL will be 7 in August. We have never done a friends party. This year he would like one. Getting kids together over the summer is impossible, so I think we may do it in early June before school is out. Probably will do a bowling party and tone down what we do for family. In the past we have only had family parties. Good luck!
For us a birthday means the person gets to choose their fave restuarant to go to. Sometimes depending on where they want to go eat, they can invite a friend.
I feel kind of guilty that neither one of my girls has had a big party. I always had a big party growing up, my husband only had family and dinner.