5 Birthday Traditions To Start With Your Children

Hi Friends!  September in our household not only marks the beginning of fall, but it also marks the beginning of a 6 month birthday spree for us, as we each have a birthday every single month until March (with the exception of December, but Jesus lives here too, so I’ll include Christmas).  We don’t do birthday parties every year, because 1) they can be very costly and 2) I’d rather spend the money on making my child’s day extra special.  Birthday parties are usually given on milestone birthdays for us.

It can be challenging, though, when you have a big family, to be sure that everyone enjoys their birthday, as well as ensuring that things are fair between the children, however, I have a few Birthday traditions that I’ve done since my oldest two were teeny-tiny, and since I am in the midst of celebrating, with two birthdays having just passed, I thought I’d share how I make my kids’ birthdays special every year.

1.)  Birthday Eve

The night before their birthdays, once the birthday child is off to bed, I grab the other children and we decorate the main dining area, the entrance to the dining area and their bedroom door (avalanche style) with steamers taped across as a barricade and balloons stuck in between the door and streamers.  Sometimes we pull out baby pictures and plaster them to the walls, and I sit and cry once everyone is off to bed as I reminisce about them being babies.

Now when I say decorate, I don’t mean blog or pinterest worthy decorations,  kids can definitely care less if the colors match, or if the streamers are even, they just like to see that they are thought of and celebrated.

Did I mention, I decorate for my husband too?

I usually run to the dollar store and pick up a few packs of balloons, banners and streamers, enough to get me through the months, so I have a little decorating kit.  I also pick up a cheesy hat (or tiara) to take pictures of them in.  Even my 16 year old still humors me 🙂

2.)  Birthday Breakfast

This can be tough, especially if their birthday falls on a school day, but still definitely worth the effort.  I get up extra early and either make birthday-cake waffles or pancakes . . .

or my hubby runs to the donut shop to pick up a dozen donuts to stack on a pretty cake plate.  (Add extra sprinkles to make it extra special).  Top that pancake or donut cake with a candle and gather your family for an early morning birthday song.

Here I created a lil make-shift cake banner and number cut out free-hand

3.)  Morning Gift

 

Why not shower them with gifts all day?  On the birthday morning celebration, I like to give my kiddos small gifts in a gift bag.  Whether toiletries, earrings, key chains and small perfumes/nail-polishes for my daughter and cologne, deodorants, pens or a small fast food gift card for my oldest son.  My lil guys get small toys, or Pokemon cards for my middle boy, and board or coloring books for my littlest guy.  Anything small just to get their day off right.  For my elementary school child, in the past we’ve brought in ice cream and toppings for an ice cream sundae party, or just your traditional cupcakes (mini, because I wouldn’t torture a teacher like that, lol) or frosted sugar cookies for them to share with their classmates.

4.)  Birthday Dinner

I let the birthday boy/girl choose what we eat as a family.  Usually they ask for a special meal that I make, or sushi or McDonald’s.  Anything they want, they can pretty much have (within reason of course).  These dinners are typically take out, but on certain occasions, if we have a babysitter, my husband and I take the birthday child out by themselves, so they can have some quality time and all the attention they deserve.

5.) Let Them Eat Cake

Birthday cakes, for the longest, have been made by me at home.  But occasionally, the kids request a fancier cake from a local bakery.  This year for my son’s birthday I recreated the bakery cake and it was Ah-Mazing.  I hope to share the recipe with you all soon.

As a bonus . . . I always create Flipagram/slideshow of pictures for them, from birth to present, to share with friends and family on their special day.

Those are just a few ways that we make our kids feel extra special on their special day.  Do you practice any of these traditions?  Do you have any additional traditions to share?  I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

Until next time,