Here's 7 simple birthday traditions to embrace- they are cheap, quick, and will make birthdays special at your house without stressing you out or consuming tons of prep time!
BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS FOR SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS
So you want some easy birthday traditions that will help you celebrate your kids and spouse?
Good news....
It turns out that children don't need fancy birthday parties or elaborate gifts to have a special birthday. Here's 7 simple birthday traditions to make them feel loved and spoiled without breaking the bank.
HOW TO MAKE BIRTHDAYS SPECIAL WITHOUT STRESSING OUT
I like to make birthdays a big deal. But, making them a big deal doesn't mean spending a fortune on elaborate presents, parties, decorations or activities. You can do simple things and create magical moments too. For example, a grand birthday is all about connection and doing something like rescuing a German Shorthaired Pointer or another type of pet can make a person's birthday memorable. Doing good deeds can be way more rewarding than a big lavish party.
Don't get me wrong. There's plenty of room for big celebrations and by all means, if you have the time, energy, and money, then go all-out for birthdays.
I've definitely loved planning my husband's DIY Slider Burger Bar party and my little girl's All Things Little First Birthday Party or my boy's Movie Theater 1st Birthday Party.
However, I know that as our family gets bigger and we get busier, I won't have time for elaborate party plans or the budget to pull off an over-the-top party.
EASY-TO-KEEP BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS
Set yourself up for success (and less stress) by implementing simple and scalable birthday traditions. If you have a large family, doing huge birthday parties might not be feasible. Similalry, if you have a moody teenager, gifts are tricky to get right. As Gavin Wallace says on GreatGifts.org, your kid's 14th birthday may pose a challenge. They're "too old to be considered a little kid, but not yet old enough for you to buy them the kind of gifts that an adult would be thankful for", which is why alternative traditions can make all the difference to the success of a birthday.
We have deliberately decided to stick with some simple traditions that we can repeat each year. And no matter how big or busy our family gets, we will at least be able to keep up with these birthday celebrations, if not more.
1. BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW
If you're like most moms(including me!), remembering all the little details of your children at a certain age is so hard! No matter how hard you try (and think you'll remember their favorites), chances are you will forget.
That's where this cute printable birthday interview comes in!
Once my children are 3 (as in they can talk better!), a Birthday Interview is on the list of birthday tradition ideas. I print out the birthday interview and spend a few minutes with them filling it out on their birthday or during the week if we run out of time.
Doing these interviews is just as much fun for me as I hope they will like looking back on them when their older. Once they have completed the birthday interview, I put it in a sheet protector and place it in their memory binder.
It's so fun to hear what their favorites are, what they got, who their friends, etc at this very stage!
2. BIRTHDAY FAIRY VISIT
This unique birthday tradition has been passed down for 3 generations in our family now!
The birthday person puts their favorite shoe by their bed and in the morning, they find quarters from the birthday fairy! You get a quarter for each year you are old, plus an extra one for good luck. So, yes, there are definite perks to getting older-- read: more quarters!
Related: All About the Birthday Shoe Tradition
3. BIRTHDAY BANNER & BALLOONS
Hang up a birthday banner to set the mood for a special day. The night before a birthday, hang up the banner in a place where you will see it often. In a kitchen by the table is a good place! Scattering birthday balloons around the house or grabbing a balloon bouquet is also a simple way to make birthdays special.
Where to get a birthday banner:
Having a birthday banner that you can pull out each birthday will make your celebrations simpler! I made our DIY birthday banner, but here are some inexpensive and cute options:
4. SPECIAL BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST
Let the birthday person choose what they want for breakfast! It will make your job as a mom easier since you won't have to decide what to cook and it will set the day off right. There are lots of overnight breakfast recipes that you can prepare the night before so you don't have to be slaving in the kitchen early in the morning.
If you're not a morning person like me, try this Birthday Breakfast Cake (Aka Monkey Bread) . This recipe is the most requested birthday breakfast at our house.
As the mom, I love it because:
- The birthday breakfast cake (monkey bread) takes only 5 minutes to prepare. Just pop in the oven in the morning 20 minutes before you're ready to eat!
- It resembles a cake! We add candles for extra festiveness!
RECIPE: Overnight Breakfast Birthday Cake Recipe
5. BIRTHDAY PLATE BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS
Speaking of meals, pull out a cute birthday plate and let the birthday person eat off it all day long!
I made up a few of these a couple of years ago and they have been a fun addition to our birthday celebrations! It's a simple way to make the birthday person feel special on their big day! If I'm on my A game, I'll have the breakfast table all set the night before. It's all about affect. 🙂
We also let the birthday person choose what's for dinner.
Want to make your own birthday plate?
Click here for a DIY Birthday Plate Tutorial.
6. DISPLAY PHOTOS
My friend Andrea (our awesome So Festive For Kids contributor) gave us this tradition idea. Fill up a door, large frame, or bulletin board, etc with photos of the birthday person from years past.
You'll love looking back and seeing how much they've grown throughout their life! And the older they get, the more fun it will be!
If I don't have time for a birthday door, we will at least hang up some real photos. It's a great excuse to get photos printed!
7. FINISH THE DAY WITH DESSERT & GIFTS
Let the birthday person choose their favorite treat to end their birthday with. I say dessert, because maybe cake isn't your thing?
Yep, it doesn't have to be cake. In fact, growing up I always chose pie because I didn't like cake.
Try our favorite birthday desserts:
- Snickers Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Cake!
- Mud Pie
- Best Ever Chocolate Cake with Berries & Cream
WHAT ABOUT BIRTHDAY PRESENTS?
Of course, we also give presents, but that isn't the focus of the day. We love using birthdays as a day to celebrate together and make memories as a family.
We often give The Gift of Experience as opposed to some THING because I'd rather make a memory with my children than pick up a random toy that has lost it's excitement a few days after the birthday is over.
70+ Experience Gift Ideas Here
I hope these easy birthday tradition ideas have inspired you to make birthdays special -- simply and without tons of stress!
BIRTHDAYS MADE EASY
Get your 7-page Birthday Kit including the popular Birthday Interview here!
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Alexa says
oh i LOVE these ideas!!
Tina says
Fun ideas! How do you make the birthday plate?