kids birthdays

We did a large 1st birthday for Paris as she was the 1st grandchild on mikes side, and a much-awaited one on our side. It was more of a family celebration.

We don't do huge huge parties, (apart from Paris's 3rd one which at that time we had a very large social circle of close friends and family we saw frequently) mostly just a few family and friends and in terms of the theme, it's mainly what type of cake and paper plates they get, kinda fun to have matching balloons and coloured paper plates.

Maybe it probably is my way of making up for the fact that as a kid i had a really crappy childhood and I'm trying to create nice memories for my own children.
In between we don't do much, and i hate the fact that i work so darn often and miss alot, so for us, xmas and birthdays are a big thing, a big celebration, not so much about how much is spent, as i make alot of things myself.

It's not trying to make up for it as such by giving them whatever they want cos they certainly don't get that. It's about the fun of taking time together and planning things together and seeing it all come together. The tradition of picking out what cake you want from your mum's cake books etc. The knowing that this is their special day,and yes on their birthday, they deserve to be treated special.

My kids don't expect it, If i said we weren't having a party and were just going to have a picnic in the park and go swimming they'd still be happy as larry.

The thing with Ayja already choosing her things is because of needing time to plan my mums party etc, but also because she has quickly caught on to the ideas from being an active part in Paris's, that and the fact that they have been in daycare since day dot, so have been to their fair share of other kids parties as well.

It doesn't have to be big, it doesn't have to be expensive, it doesn't have to be extravagant, it might be just family afternoon tea, it might be 2 or 5 of 10 kids there, but what the kid sees is that someone is taking time out, on their birthday, to celebrate how special they are, and celebrate the day they were born which no-doubt each and every one of us does for our kid every day not just on their birthday, and we each do it differently.

Edited by mum2paris

Janine, you don't need to justify the parties you give your kids, I think it's awesome that you choose themes etc, and your cakes are amazing! I agree that a great birthday party doesn't have to mean expensive!

Its so fab that instead of repeating what you grew up with you have learnt from it and are doing so much better for your girls

Janine, I'm sure your girls will remember how much fun they had every year!

The thing I remember from having a birthday each year was that my brother and I got to choose what we wanted to have for dinner, my fav was schnitzel so I chose that each year lol

I love planning birthday parties and making all the invites etc, and I can see how much E enjoys it. I still get frazzled on the actual party day, but it's worth it! I also love making cakes (now I can - thanks to help from Janine ). This year is going to be fun as we can now play party games and the kids will hopefully understand the rules

Kat - rope me in to anything you need help with this year. Ella's party was fab last year and I'd hate to think how much time and effort it takes you to sort everything out!

P.S. Oh look at me inviting myself to Ella's birthday. haha Oops.

I love doing birthday parties. Absolutely love it. I love the stress of planning it ect. What I dont like however is since McKayla's first birthday the extended family feels like they should always be invited. And Grant has a huge extended family here (we are now talking third and fourth and fifth cousins.). With them we dont really have place to invite friends with their kids.

Doesnt help that family (on my daughters special day) will compare her to the other kids. I just hate it when people do that. So her first birthday we ended up with a tea and all sorts of snacks but I still had to run around making coffee and teas and everyone wants it a different way.

So second year a huge BBQ with a theme of pooh bear and home made playdough and big gazebo outside. So they ended up mostly in the house.

This year I am having one at playcentre with the kids she plays the most anyway. Thinking of either making cupcakes and taking icing with and let the kids decorate and ice their own cupcake. Or make an animal cake and get the $2 animal costumes for each child and play musical chair and with which parcel they land up ect. But we will see.

I think parties are cool and to answer your question gandt... at first I think its the parents that get into the party thing but once they start getting invited to parties they begin to want one of their own. Kids don;t take long to cotton on about it. I enjoy letting my kids do something special for their birthdays as I think it should be celebrated.. as I said before its up to the family how they do that whether a big party or a small family get together to a special dinner at home. Most days my kids birth 'date' isn't when their party is so their actual birth 'date' they get to pick whats for dinner.

As for only for girls - nope I have done a party for the boys too. I have never got into themed birthday -but think its due to my lack of creativity and part to do with it takes so much time and energy to organised a themed one - rather than my not liking them.

Loot bags are a waste of money and those cheap plastic things anony me too. In my loot bag I normally put a balloon, bit of cake, some lollies, a party popper, blowy noisy thing (cause parties have to have noise lol) and if I am feel generous a braclet or necklace for the girl - I don't do for Josh anymore and Rhyley too young. this year though I am not too sure I am going to do it fr BRooke.