Homemade Birthday Parties

Last night, my daughter had her 16th birthday party with her friends here at home. From the noise going on outside, I would say a good time was had by all. They sat around, talked, played our yard games and tye-dyed. Due to financial reasons at first and then our belief in living a more sustainable lifestyle we have always done our children's birthday parties here at home with homemade games and cake.

It has been interesting to me the elaborate kid's birthday parties we have attended over the years that were at an establishment other than the house of the child. It has seemed to me that the party was no more fun than ours (my opinion). Time was always an issue because there was a little bit of a schedule to keep. Parents had paid for the convenience of a party that was all handled for them. There is nothing wrong with this but I have really enjoyed doing our children's birthday parties over the years.

On my daughter's 9th birthday, my husband felt that we should do "better" than a home birthday party. We gave our daughter the exciting news. Her response was less than enthusiastic and she finally said, "Mommy, I like your birthday parties at home. I don't want a different one." That was the end of it. We, once again, had her party here at home that year.

It might be more difficult to change the "boughten" birthday party tradition if your child is older. I would encourage you though that if your child is young or if you have not had a birthday party for your child, try a homemade one this year. Pick a theme, plan a few games/activities, make a cake around the theme (family fun magazine online always has some simple, well done cakes on their site) and enjoy this time with your child.