Within the last month, three of my six kids have had birthdays. It’s a very lean month in our household – topping up RESPs along with throwing a few birthday parties can take its toll on anyone’s budget.
In addition to not liking birthdays’ financial implications, I think birthday parties are a royal pain. I know many party mamas out there who relish in planning extravagant events, particularly their children’s parties. Indeed, I have one friend who says one of the things she loves most about being a mother is throwing birthday parties. That mama is not me. Birthday parties make the bottom of my list of things I love about being a mama. Yes, I like my kids to have fun and enjoy their special day, but all the hoopla around it doesn’t float my boat.
So when I throw a party, it’s all about keeping it simple. I thought it would be fun to compare some of my tips and strategies with those of my friend, Janine who is mama party planner extraordinaire. In September, she is well in planning mode for a January birthday. All the neighbourhood kids have fingers crossed that their name makes the list. In short, Janine generally makes me look like a complete slacker.
The rules according to me, the “Keep It Simple Mom”:
- Have a no birthday present policy.
- Have a no loot bag policy.
- Plan your parties at a time that will ensure you do not have to prepare a meal for little guests.
- Don’t over-engineer the thing – kids are old pros at figuring out how to have fun.
- Sure have a theme, but don’t bother obsessing. You don’t want to have to drive around to 10 different stores just to get the napkins that match the plates.
- Don’t have it in your house. Way too much cleaning is involved then – you’ll end up cleaning before AND after the party.
The rules according to Janine, “Keener Perfectionist Mom”:
- EVERYTHING needs to be matchy matchy – pick a theme and colour scheme and stick with it: invitations, decorations, balloons, utensils, EVERYTHING!
- Make it an event – seal invitations with a stamp monogram and mail them because kids love getting mail.
- Don’t scrimp on the cake – if nothing else is done right, be sure that you have a fabulous cake (which of course corresponds to the party theme!)
- Mind your present etiquette. If opening at party, tape a half circle in front of birthday child, have 2 chairs (one for birthday child, one for gift giver). Read card together and open gift. Take a picture of birthday child with gift and gift giver and send as a “thank you” after the party.
Janine also agrees that the birthday present thing can get a bit much and suggests donations in lieu of gifts, and also checking out www.echoage.com
There you have it – what kind of party planner are you? Apply the rules that most suit you and I’m pretty sure your kid will have a great party that even mama will enjoy.
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Julie, you sound so much like me! My three kids birthdays are October, December and January! Once October hits in our house everything gets super busy. I too keep the parties simple. We usually celebrate with family and then the kids can have big birthdays every couple of years with all of their friends. Financially it is hard to do a big theme birthday 3 times around the holidays every year.
If the birthdays were spread out more I might attempt the “matchy matchy” birthday. Maybe when they are older and will remember it more.
Oh, I’d be the keep it simple mom for sure.
Then again, I always had a bit of a birthday party fetish with my own big day! Last year was 25 fireworks for 25 years. yep.
I’m a big fan of a fairly simple party for lots of family and friends. (ie. i’d rather have an excuse to invite more people) I won’t be hiring any cirque du soleil acrobats or imported tigers from the jungles of Africa to entertain my crew. I think a little food and a little cake and let the kids run around and make their own fun. And don’t bother coming to my house if you’re looking for a fancy loot bag either…:)
Why is everyone so skimpy on the loot bags nowdays? That was always the BEST part of a birthday party! A pencil with a cool eraser, dollar store lip gloss, etc. It rocked my world!
Hey thanks for the idea about the kids sitting together and opening the gifts… That’s going to make it on the list for next year’s extravaganza for sure!!!! I’m a Janine through and through!! Hate to admit it but Evan’s cake this year was a thing of beauty (and only took until 1:00am to complete!)
Samantha – so funny about different perspectives. I see loot bags as full of crap that breaks and ends up in landfill. LOL! I do send the kids home with a little something – one item though. Mostly because I want them to leave without having a meltdown that the party is over!
I’m an inbetween party mom. My youngest gets the cool/fun location because her birthday is in March and our house isn’t big enough – so we’ve done bowling, swimming & gym time. My oldest is in the summer so we have a pool party with the bouncy castles. This past summer we got a Cinderella entertainer – the best idea ever – she entertained the kids for 90 minutes, we opened presents when she left, ate and everyone left. She was worth every single penny we paid!!!! I do also give loot bags but I buy things they will use like pens, note pads and because the ages vary I go age appropriate for each child.
I fall somewhere in the middle. Party planning is something I enjoy, but I’m all about keeping it simple!! I’m definitely not the one to obsess over mathcy matchy.
As for loot bags, again I’m in the middle. The kids love them, but lets face it they are mostly full of junk! LOL! I usually go for a pen/pencil & note book, a couple candies, and $1 or $2 in each bag. The kids love getting the money and they can spend it on whatever they want, plus that’s usually cheaper for me than buying junky trinkets to fill the bag. Maybe next time I should just hand each kid a $5 bill….