Birthdays are so much fun for kids. My family does get presents for our kids, but we wanted to find other ways to celebrate and take the emphasis off of "what am I getting for my birthday?" Here's some ways we have come up with to make birthdays special.
1. The Birthday Sign: On our birthday every year while growing up my mom would put out a wooden tole painted clown that said "Happy Birthday". It was something we looked forward to when our birthday rolled around. Recently my family was staying at my parents house for a few days. It happened to be on my Dad's birthday. Sure enough, when I got up in the morning the birthday clown was out along with a birthday mug. Even with no children at home they keep up the tradition. At my house we have a shiny silver banner that gets hung up. Last year I made these Happy Birthday (reversible-blue on one side, pink on the other) blocks. My kids remind me when a birthday is coming to get the sign and blocks ready.
2. Birthday Letter: A wonderful idea (at which I am currently failing miserably) is to write a letter to your child on their birthday each year. It could also be added to over the course of the year. Include special things about the child. What have they been doing during the year and what fun times have you had together? How have they grown and changed? What do you love about them? This can be given to the child the following birthday to read. They can then be saved in a binder. What a special gift for your child to know you have been thinking of them and why you love them.
3. Spend time together: With school, homework, and soccer practice my daughter's birthday was very busy. When she got up in the morning we cuddled up on my bed and spent some time talking. We talked about her day, about what I remember from the day she was born, anything she wanted. It was off to school and went non stop until bed time. We always open presents in the evening when the whole family can be together. When my husband & I went up to bed I checked on all the kiddos and found my birthday girl still awake. She came into our room and spent a few more minutes with both of us. They get excited for the cake, parties, and presents, but what kids need the most is time with their family. We always try to fit in some one on one time with our birthday child to let them know how much we love them.
4. Special Food: What's a celebration without food-right? It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. Some families let the birthday child pick a restaurant to eat at. Growing up we always got to pick what my mom would make for breakfast and dinner. We also got to pick out the birthday dessert. Most of the time for kids that ends up being cake & ice cream. My kids get to pick a theme for the cake if they want, as well as what flavor. As you can see, my talents do not lie in the cake decorating department (it looks crazy, but both of my girls said this was the "best cake ever!"), but my kids love having a fun cake every year.5. Serve Others: With children birthdays can quickly become crazy. Children often get the me-me-me attitude. My family has already had our first birthday for the year. We decided this year to try something different. On the morning of her birthday I asked my daughter to think of a secret service she could do for each family member during the day. She had so much fun thinking of ways to serve the family. It made everyone happy. It helped her remember that she is not the only one that matters, while also helping her feel special and important. This will definitely be something we continue in our family.
Every family does things differently, but a lot of it seems to boil down to starting traditions. Have fun finding creative ways to show your children how special they are.
~Amy
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