Birthday Traditions

Over the years I have absolutely enjoyed planning my children’s birthdays.   As soon as one is over, I start thinking about planning for the next one.  It’s not that I am rushing them to get older, I enjoy celebrating their birth year after year.

From the beginning I wanted to make my children’s birthdays special.  I began with small things that became traditions.

The Monthly Birthday Banner for the first year and the Banner that is used every year after that
The Monthly Birthday Banner for the first year and the same Banner that is used every year after that

1.  Birthday Banner –   Each month during their first year of life I took their picture by a certain stuffed animal to show how much they had grown.  I wanted to find a way to display those pictures so it resulted in the Birthday Banner.   After their first year I now display a birthday picture from the previous years.

2.  Precious Moments  –  Each year of their life is precious to me.  I started giving my girls a Precious Moment birthday figurine.  I collected them growing up and still do, so I wanted to pass that tradition on to them as well.

3.  Party Theme  –  I thrive on planning events.  I especially enjoy throwing a themed party.  Each birthday has a specific theme that includes the invitations, birthday cake, and even the birthday outfit… all within a budget.

Birthdays on a Budget

Birthday theme complete with the outfit, cake, and invitation
Birthday theme complete with the outfit, cake, and invitation

Making a birthday special doesn’t have to break the bank.

Cake – I started buying elaborate cakes that cost a fortune until I realized that Grandma could make an equally cute cake for a fraction of the cost.  And we all get to join in on the fun of decorating.

We decide on the design of the cake based on the look of the invitation.  We draw the design on paper first as a template.  Then we use the template to cut out the cake.  The bowling pin of this particular cake was cut out of a sheet cake with a cutout to fit the ball.  The ball was a round cake that was placed next to the pin.  Then it was iced and decorated.

Invitations – I could never find the perfect invitation that matched my theme, so I began making my own.  This way I get to personalize it with a birthday poem.

Splash pads make for a fun summer party
Splash pads make for a fun summer party

Once I have the theme in mind, I look for graphics online that I can easily recreate for an invitation.  I like using foam sheets because it makes the invitation sturdy.  The bowling invitation, for example, has pink foam for the backing, white foam for the pin and pink foam for the ball.  I then type the poem and wording onto scrapbook paper, cut it out,  and glue it in place.  I make sure the size of the invitation fits into an envelope to be mailed.

Location – As my girls get older, it has been  harder to have their parties at home.  I find locations which coincide with the season as well as my budget.  I try to find places that do not charge by the number of guests, as this keeps from blowing my budget.

Some of our most inexpensive parties have been at neighborhood pools, splash parks, city parks and the bowling alley.

What great ideas do you have for throwing a fun birthday party on a budget?

 

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Angie Ricketts
Angie and her husband, John, live in Edmond with their three little blessings: Addyson (6/2008), Haley (11/2009) and Paige (9/2012). Angie received her Bachelors in Marketing and her Masters in Management both from Oklahoma Christian University. As each child came along, Angie has adjusted her career to accommodate the active life of her daughters. She now works as a Marketing and Development Coordinator for Lilyfield Christian Adoption and Foster Care. When not working, she enjoys chauffeuring her kiddos around and watching the latest chick flick with her husband – much to his dismay. When time permits she enjoys a good pinterest project and reading a good novel.

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