Birthday Week!
It’s birthday central around here! September is a crazy month for birthdays in our family, but specifically last week. Me, my daughter, and my mom all have birthdays within the same week and it makes for the most festive, celebratory week ever!
Growing up, my parents always made our birthdays feel like the most important day of the year! Looking back, I can remember a present I received here or there, but ultimately it wasn’t the gifts or money spent that made a lasting impression on us. Nope, when my siblings and I reminisce on our favorite birthday memories, it’s always the little traditions that our parents implemented that have stuck with us. Simple things like:
Balloons on the door -
This one still makes me smile because I can remember being 5 or 6 and lying awake giddy with excitement trying to see if I could hear them outside my door. After we’d go to sleep on our birthday eve, mom and dad would tape inflated balloons to the door. When we were younger, they’d tape the balloons into the age we were turning that year. So there’d be a big “5” on the door made out of balloons. But as we got older they started taping the amount of balloons we were turning. So one year there were 12 total balloons on the door for my twelvth birthday.
Picking where to eat -
Growing up, we rarely ate out. So this one felt especially big! I still remember being 8 or so, and feeling so bugged at my sister for picking Panda Express for her birthday meal. It was a gross pick in my 8-year old mind. And I couldn’t wait until my birthday so I could pick something WAY better. (I was an EXTREMELY picky eater back then). Soo my birthday came around and I almost always picked Texas Roadhouse. (Because they’d let me sit on a saddle and it felt like a big deal haha). Anyway… this one’s super simple and I feel like a lot of families already implement a similar tradition, but it’s a timeless favorite around here so I had to mention it!
“You Are Special” Plate -
The infamous “You are Special Plate”. If you grew up with a similar tradition, you know exactly what I’m talking about. There’s just something magical about that cherry red birthday plate that made you feel like a million bucks. For those who are lost, back in the 80’s/90’s there was this red birthday plate that had the words “You Are Special” written around the edge. It would sit at the top of our kitchen on it’s pedestal all year long. Until it was someone’s birthday. And then my mom would get it down, clean it, and set the table with it sitting at the head of the table. It would typically get used for Sunday dinner, the week of our birthdays and wow, it really just set the stage for an exciting week!
I went to buy one to start this tradition in my family and found a similar one I liked a bit more! You can find the original “You Are Special” plate here. And you can find the other one I liked, here.
These are a just a few of our favorite childhood traditions. And since having our own kids, it’s been fun to implement these, while making up and starting our own new traditions. Each of my sisters have started different traditions in our families. So if you’re looking for some new ideas, these might spark some ideas:
Ribbons and Lawn Decor -
I posted about this one in my stories recently! But my sister, Heather, has a special birthday ribbon she hangs on her front door the week of her kids’ birthdays. She also puts out lawn signs that say “Happy Birthday". It’s so fun for their kids to have everyone in the neighborhood wishing them Happy Birthday because they saw the signs.
Handmade Birthday Hat-
Katie is a felt wizard! And she hand cuts, sews, and attaches details to make her kids’ custom birthday hats. They each pick their “theme” for the birthday that year and she goes to town creating these works of art!
Birthday Pancakes-
My SIL, Cara, makes a pancake in the shape of the age they’re turning! And then they get candles in their pancake at breakfast, right when they wake up. Such a fun way to kickstart their special day.
Balloons/Decor -
This is another Cara tradition: She is a balloon genius! And can pretty much make anything out of balloons. Footballs, Pikachu, Rainbows, she’s created it all. Similar to the felt hats, her kids pick the theme and she somehow brings it to life!
If you’re not confident in your balloon skills, that’s okay. Even before she was adding Balloons, she would set up a tablecloth or background in the theme of their choice and add a banner or other decor to match. That way, when her kid’s wake up they walk into the kitchen to see their theme brought to life through fun decor! Visit @LittlePixieCo to see more!
Cake Toppers-
This one’s one of my traditions! I love making custom cake toppers for my kids or nieces/nephews! I do it using my Cricut and cardstock. They vary in complexity depending on the request! But they always match the theme that my kids pick for that year’s birthday. And I try to include their name and age. So far, we’ve kept them in their baby box after, so it’s been fun to compare them each year and see how their interests and themes change as they grow up.
Favorite Things -
And my very favorite tradition of all, takes the least amount of work and costs absolutely nothing: After cake or dinner - when everyone’s gathered around- we all go around the table and say our favorite thing about the birthday girl/boy. Or we each share a favorite memory! It’s soo simple. And everyone rolls their eyes a little when I say it’s time to do that. But it’s SO impactful and soo happy!
I always feel like we save sharing all the nice things about someone for their funeral. When we should be telling them those things more often while they’re here with us. And a birthday is a perfect time to do that! Because at the end of the day, balloons, confetti, and gifts don’t matter. They’re just a fun way to help us express our love and appreciation. So don’t overlook the ultimate way we can do that- by expressing that to them directly!
So whether you like all the extra fuss, or you don’t, find some way to show that special birthday girl or boy that they matter to you. And have fun celebrating!
Cheers,
Meg
