Have a Happy Birthday

The day your child was born is a day to celebrate and make him feel special. Birthday parties are fun but they can be a lot of work, and the costs can quickly add up. Whether you decide to host a birthday party every year, every other year or skip it to cut down on costs, these ideas are sure to make your child’s birthday special.

Create anticipation

As the birthday approaches, build anticipation by talking about it and planning what the day will hold. You can create a special countdown by making a paper chain and tearing off one link per day or even just counting down the number of days on a chalkboard in your home. Explain that although there will not be a big birthday party this year, a lot of fun things are planned.

Make the cake

A great way to save money on a birthday celebration is to make the cake yourself. Choose flavors and colors or themes your child loves and get siblings involved in the preparation. Kids typically don’t care about whether the cake is perfectly decorated, they are happy with a cake that is made just for them.

Balloon avalanche

When your child goes to sleep the night before her birthday, decorate the house with balloons or birthday decor. Try taping a disposable tablecloth to the outside of the door jam and fill the space between with balloons. When your child opens the door, she will be greeted with a balloon avalanche sure to put a big smile on her face.

Kid’s choice

When you are planning the day, consider your child’s favorites. Plan the day’s meals around the foods your youngster loves. Choose things that you typically do not serve to make the day more special. If you will go on an outing or if you will be dining out, let the birthday kid choose the location.

Document the day

Create a list of questions to ask your child on their birthday such as “Who is your best friend?” or list TV shows, songs, foods, etc. Record the answers in a safe place and repeat each year. It’s fun to look back and see how your child has changed and matured over the years.

Tell the story

Kids love to hear stories about the day they were born, the cute things they did as a baby or how you prepared for their arrival. Spend part of the day telling favorite stories about your child—he is sure to love it.

Have others reach out

Ask friends and family to wish your child a happy birthday with calls, texts, messages or cards. Consider talking to family members via Skype. This will help your child know that others are celebrating her, even if you aren’t hosting a big birthday party this year.

We parents often feel like spending a lot is the best way to make our child’s birthday special, but this is truly not the case. With a little extra planning, your child’s day can be just as special as any expensive party.

Ways to Celebrate Without a Party

• Go to the movies.
• Visit an amusement park.
• Have dinner out at a favorite spot.
• Go bowling.
• Take a day trip to a neighboring town.
• Attend a sporting event.
• Be a tourist for the day in your hometown, visiting the zoo or other local attractions.
• Let your child pick a place to visit.

Sarah Lyons is a stay-at-home mom to six children. Some years her kids celebrate their birthdays with a party and other years they choose to celebrate in other ways.