My daughters birthday is coming up next month so I’ve got birthday planning on my mind. I love birthdays and holidays. And on my kids birthdays, I want to make sure they feel special and loved. But a big party for all their friends isn’t always in the budget (and I have 3 kids, so a 3 parties a year really adds up). But over the years, I’ve found some great, simple ways to create great birthday memories for yours kids, and to make birthdays special.
Each of these ideas are fairly simple, and inexpensive. So you can add multiple into your traditions easily. If you are hoping to make someone feel special on their birthday, these are the perfect place to start.
Birthday Banner And Decorations
On the night before each birthday in our house, I put up a “Happy Birthday” banner and some balloons. I also put their presents out on the couch. When they wake up in the morning, the living room is decorated and they are ready to open presents.
My kids get so excited about this! As soon as they get up, they rush to the living room to check out the decorations and play with the balloons. And they always feel special knowing that the decorations are just for their special day. It’s such a simple thing, but makes the day feel special.
Special Birthday Breakfast
For birthdays, I make the birthday kids favorite breakfast. Usually it’s french toast or chocolate chip pancakes at our house. Some of my friends do a big stack of pancakes, with whipped cream and a candle. And they sing “Happy Birthday” at breakfast to start the day. (They also sing again later when it’s time for cake).
Make The Cake Extra Special
This one is more for me than for the kids. And I guess it’s actually not that simple, because mixing, baking, decorating and cleaning up does take a lot of my time. But my kids LOVE thinking about and picking out which cake they will have. And I really love being able to use my talents on something special for them. When I was growing up, my mom would make me a doll cake for each birthday. And I always looked forward to that. So I guess this is a way of continuing a birthday tradition in my own way.
If you don’t have the time, or just don’t enjoy making cakes, stop by a local bakery and let the birthday kid choose and order (within reason of course) the special cake that they want for the day.
Birthday Outfit
Over the last year, I started including a new outfit as a part of birthday gifts. My daughter especially loves new clothes. Last year on her birthday, she walked around like she was on top of the world. She had new clothes, new toys and she was in heaven!
It’s a simple thing to add in with their other presents, and kids grow so fast so they almost always need new clothes anyway.
Special Outing
I’m not a huge birthday party kind of mom. If my kids wanted one, I would do it. But so far they’ve only asked for other things. The great thing about that is that it is far simpler, and cheaper. And it allows me to give them more one on one attention than a party would.
Last year, my 3 year old asked to go to the library for his birthday. We invited his best friend and had the best time. My son felt so special because he got to choose and plan the activity for his day. And he had the best birthday. And I’ll be honest, I was pretty surprised (and happy) that he chose something that was free, easy and fun for everyone in the family.
Check Facebook Marketplace
On my daughters last birthday, she was begging for a pink bike. For weeks, it was all she asked for. She’d even say “I can’t wait until my birthday when I get a pink bike.” But money was tight, and a brand new bike is expensive. A friend of mine gave me the idea to check Facebook Marketplace, and it was the best idea! I found a bike in amazing condition for $15, and had my husband paint it all pink for her. She was so excited for her bike, and it really made her day extra special. She still talks about how great her birthday was. Then for my son’s birthday this month, I looked through Facebook Marketplace while coming up with gift ideas and saw a Paw Patrol ride on car for $10 (normally around $70) in perfect condition just missing a charger. It was a HUGE hit for our 2 year old, and his siblings. And I’m so glad I was able to put the money I saved into other birthday fun.
Anyway, what I’m getting at is that it is totally worth it to check marketplace or other resale sites and stores. If there is a gift your child is really hoping for, but it is out of budget or out of stock, check there first!
What else does your family do for a simple birthday tradition? I’d love to hear how you make your kids birthdays special in the comments below.
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