In my household, I believe it’s important to take advantage of every holiday that comes our way. We can always use a little more celebration in our lives, and it’s silly to turn down an opportunity to embrace a special occasion and have some fun. While birthdays aren’t official holidays you’ll find on any calendar, they’re a significant and meaningful day to celebrate nonetheless, and you should make plans well in advance to make the day stand out.
If your family is looking for an easy way to make birthdays feel more important in your household, consider starting one or two of these fun birthday traditions to look forward to year after year:
BRING ON THE BALLOONS!
Balloons are a fun, festive, and affordable way to make any day special. Start the birthday boy or girl’s special day off with a surprise by filling their bedroom with balloons, or look up instructions on how to create a balloon avalanche in your child’s doorway. For a fun photo op to repeat year after year, pick up helium balloons that write out the birthday celebrant’s age.
BUST OUT THE BIRTHDAY DECORATIONS!
Plan a quick trip to Target and invest in a Happy Birthday banner, streamers, and a tablecloth or two to make birthdays in your home extra festive. While they indeed aren’t required for an auspicious birthday, they’re sure to bring a smile to the birthday boy or girl’s face. Pick up cheap disposable decorations if you want to shake things up each year, or search for pieces intended to be used time and time again on Etsy for a sense of continuity.
SERVE UP A SPECIAL BREAKFAST.
Start the day on a celebratory note with pancakes covered with whipped cream and sprinkles, ooey gooey cinnamon rolls, or another well-loved breakfast treat. Ask your son or daughter what they’d like you to make in advance, or surprise them with something you know they look forward to eating. Their selection may not be the most healthy choice, but it’s OK – you can disregard nutrition for a day.
SEND THEM ON A SCAVENGER HUNT.
You could make it easy for them to unwrap their presents by piling them on the dining room table, or you could draw out the process and add in an element of fun by creating a scavenger hunt to uncover the location of their gifts. You don’t have to go crazy – just a few clues will do it – but don’t be afraid to get creative!
PULL OUT SOME PHOTOS!
Decorate the fridge or put a slideshow on the television with photos that spotlight each year of the birthday boy or girl’s life so far. You’ll enjoy a trip down memory lane as you celebrate some of the best moments you’ve shared so far, and you’ll be encouraged to take more photos to add to the collection.
Pick one of these birthday traditions to make celebrations with your family even more fun, or find a way to incorporate your own traditions into birthdays in your household. However you choose to celebrate, your family will appreciate the time and effort you put into making the day special.