So I’ve just finished my 9th birthday celebration for our kids and I thought I would share our birthday traditions. I’m sure they will change as we find what works for us, but this is what we have so far.
A Theme
Ever since Lil’ Bit was 3, we have had a themed birthday. So far, we have done:
- Peter Pan – 3
- Bugs & Butterflies – 1
- Lilo & Stitch/Luau – 4
- Toy Story – 2
- Jake & the Neverland Pirates – 5
- Tinkerbell & Fairies – 3
- Doc McStuffins – 6
Now this can go as far as you want it and frankly, it depends on life, for us. Some years, it just means going to Walmart & getting the paper plates. Other years, it’s a Pinterest perfection wannabe :).
Lately, the birthday gifts have tied into the theme because its really what they are super interested in at the time. Those presents always get the most use. Small extras that fit the theme get bought too – games, puzzles, coloring books, stickers, etc. We use the Christmas gift-giving strategy for birthday’s and the little things above don’t count :).
A Party
This started out family only. Then we added kids to play with around age 4. Now the stress of 20+ small (birth – age 8) kids running around largely unsupervised makes me crazy. For year 7, we’ve decided to regress back to just immediate family & grandparents.
We’ve also transitioned from full-on lunches to cake & ice cream only. And now that we have a summer baby? Park city, ladies. I’m not even cleaning the house.
Special Family Time
Recently, we have discovered that the waterpark where we live is a fabulous diversion in the 9 crummy months a year. Hubby has taken a day off and we’ve been hitting it up for 3 birthday’s now. It’s not always the same– the first time was just the waterpark, the second included lunch, and the last time was an overnight, too. Especially when transitioning from big parties, we wanted to still have something special and fun for all.
Birthday Dinner
Each year, we let the birthday child pick their dinner. I will cook or they can pick a restaurant. Within reason. No 5-star establishments :). But I will cook steak!
A Cake/Dessert
Since my dad & step-mother frequently drive 3 hours just to eat some cake & see the girls, sometimes they get a big cake when the grandparents come and something else on their actual birthday. Or in the case of Itty Bitty who requested strawberry shortcake last time. This year Lil’ Bit really wanted one of those giant frosted cookies so I bought one for her birth day & made the cake for her party.
Just like with the theme, it varies from year to year. Sometimes I buy it, sometimes I use a boxed cake & can of frosting. Sometimes I make the frosting from scratch. Sometimes it’s cupcakes. Sometimes I make something out of the cake (like a pirate ship. Or a bed.).
If you noticed by the theme list, we are big Disney fans. The most valuable piece of information I have to offer is this — the little figurine sets from the Disney store make awesome cake toppers. And my girls play with them all. the. time. The figurine sets are their favorite toys.
Helium Mylar Balloons
For whatever reason, I love those Mylar balloons. I think I frequently got them as a child myself (one of the few traditions I remember), and so I always get them for my kiddos. If you’ve considered it but balk at the price, go to Dollar Tree. They have a fair number to choose from and are only $1 each! And they last for 2 months, easy–sometimes 3.
What are your family’s birthday traditions?
