Birthday - Other Ideas on What a Celebration Might Consist of or Be Like

My daughter just turned 5, and we had a "pink" party for her. I think the highlight was a tea party - we went to goodwill and picked out a bunch of teacups and then each child got to take one home as part of the party favor. The other party favor was a potted pink begonia. I thought that was so much nicer than the little plastic toys you see so often as party gifts.

A friend of my daughter is having a 5 year old birthday party, and instead of presents, she is asking everybody to please contribute to her adopting a gorilla at Como Zoo. I think that's such a great idea - very specific request, rather than an open call to donate to charity, and will be fun for her as well.

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My son's birthday is in February, which is so close to Christmas tht I knew I had to come up with an idea to tame the gifts. When I was grocery shopping, I ran into a friend that works for a family organization. She asked my children what they got for Christmas. Of course, the list was so long. She said when she visited the families, so many kids said they received nothing. The mothers would not make eye contact as they agreed. I talked to my son and we agreed that we would ask those giving gifts to spend less on my son and pick up another gift for a boy his age.

We found a box with a lid, wrapped it, and put the items in it. We also bought cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, paper plates, and festive table cloth. My son went with me when we delivered it to our friend. My daughter will turn 3 in September and we are looking forward to doing this again.

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I would write "no gifts please" in the invitation. Any gifts she gets you could have your daughter donate to goodwill or salvation army. This way she will learn that it is better give than receive.

We are haveing a picnic party at a nature center. People can hike the trails but we will will bring outdoor game too. We are providing beverages, snack foods and cake.

If you want to have a party at a very minimal cost, there's an awesome "free" spray park in Westwood Heights (approximately 123rd & Westwood Lane). It's perfect for kids of that age and even if they don't know how to swim, you don't have to worry because there's no deep water, just water spraying out of different contraptions that they run around in. There's also playground equipment in the same area so if they get bored with the water area, they just go over there. There's a covered pavilion with about 4 tables underneath...if you get there early, you can "take it over" and use it to serve your cake or whatever. I had my daughters friends go there for her 3rd birthday (she was too young in my opionion to have a "big" party, but I wanted her to be able to do something fun without spending a mint). All the kids had a blast! As for the gift giving, just put on the invitation to not bring gifts, or in lieu of gifts, ask them to make a donation to your favorite charity. I'm sure your daughter will have a great time no matter what you decide to do. Also, best of luck with Kindergarten! My oldest is also starting in the Fall and he's very excited about it, as I am!

My friend had a birthday party for there girls and the invitation said, "bring a gift to exchange." We were going to the park in the middle of July, so I bought four water guns, (I have four children---one present for each child.) Everyone received a gift at the party and the "birthday girls" were so excited watching other children open and enjoy gifts also that it proves "it is better to give than to receive." I spendt just as much as I would have buying one gift for each of the girls. Just a suggestion. You could also have it themed, so that everyone brings the same types of gifts---summer....water toys, goggles, etc.

My three children were all born in May, so this May to celebrate all of their birthdays with friends, we got a shelter at a nearby park and had a cookout with friends. My older son was able to invite his friends and the kids played and the adults had time to talk and enjoy each other's company. We asked that no one bring gifts, it was a terrific time. The kids did not miss not getting gifts, and we got to enjoy the company of people who are very special in our lives. I think I was able to get all of the food needed for about $100 and there were 22 people there total. BTW... didn't do any decorations either. I think that this is something we will do again, maybe even yearly as a way to remind our children that the best gift that they can have is friendship.

You did not mention if this was going to be a kid party or mixed with family. I assume the latter.

We tend to do themed parties.

We had a 5 yr old Pirate party with pin the patch on the pirate and a treasure chest hunt (complete with a map by a REAL pirate).

We had another 5 yr old Ghost Buster party (January) where I made Ghostbuster shirts for all the kids, played with slimey food and had the kids pose for pictures in which Slimer magically appeared in the pic upon development. (My husband is a photoshop whiz!)

Our 6 year old Curious George Party included bobbing for bananas, pin the tail on the monkey, and storytime (done by my friend who is a professional actress). That party was crazy--action packed and 15 kids! Not enough adult help either. That is definitely a plus.

At that party, we asked for NO GIFTS. We collected donations for Crisis Nursery. We got money, checks and actual stuff. Then, with the money, my son went shopping with the Crisis Nursery Wish List and got to pick out things for the other kids. Now, at first the suggestion to not have gifts was not accepted, but when I asked him what he wanted that he was not already going to get from us or the grandparents, he could not think of anything. I don't know how much he got out of it, and we are not doing it again this year, but he happily and graciously delivered the stuff to Crisis Nursery. He chose to give to kids, not animals or any other cause, and I think the only thing that was sad is that he did not actually get to see any kids, just an office, but I was really moved by it.

For this year we are doing a weather party. We will make weather globes, weather t-shirts, and doing experiments. We will be putting cheese and toppings on the pizza like a storm, and the cake will be a tornado. ( I am attempting it myself, so we'll see.) When people ask what he wants, I tell them just get him a gift certificate for Target, because he would like an MP3 player to use on the bus. We did thing for my 5 year old in January, and he was able to go to Target and purchase 2 of the toys that he really wanted, but that were too expensive to expect friends to buy.

I know I wrote a lot. Hope there is something in there that gives you some help and ideas. Good luck.

Many girls this age are into princesses. We had a princess party. Let them know in the invitations that they can dress up as a princess. Make a castle out of cardboard to put on the wall, take photos of each in front of it. Buy some foam rectangular pieces for them to each frame their pics and get some simple things for them to decorate them. Our daughter and her friends also decorated their own cup cakes - this was a hit! And it was fun to see them around the table together chatting. :) Have fun!!

One suggestion I can give you about the gift giving portion is to ask people to bring food for the food shelf instead of giving your daughter presents. One of my friends has done that for her son's birthday parties and it is a great hit. People can feel good about helping out others in need. I also had one friend who asked people to bring toys to give to toys for tots instead of for her daughter. That daughter's birthday is also the end of October so it is closer to the Christmas season.

When my youngest daughter turned 5, we had a small tea party for a few of her friends and with Grandmas. She still talks about it, she's now 12. Everyone had to dress up (hats, gloves, etc.)for the full effect. It was a lot of fun!
G.

Hi J.,
My daughter is only 8 months old, so I've not hosted a birthday party yet, but I read about the website www.ECHOage.com. (Maybe it was even on Mamasource -I can't remember!) It helps you plan an "environmentally friendly" party by allowing your child to choose a charity for guests to donate to, plus part of the money goes toward ONE special gift for your child. (I think the breakdown is: 15% for administrative costs, and the remaining 85% is split equally between charity and gift.) Like I said, I haven't used it personally, but it seems like a great idea! Good luck.
ps- I'm a kindergarten teacher - let me know if I can answer any questions for you!

Outdoor adventures. Child museum tours. Even donating your time to help others... These are all ways to spend time focusing on other things besides material goods like presents. And the best part is, she will still recieve many gifts from the experiences alone. Some of the best 'gifts' I ever recieved were experience. And I still appreciate those more than anything else... though I do like "practicle" presents... and practicle/useful and non-ornamental gifts could always be incorporated if you desire.
You could organize a trip to the zoo, reptile gardens, or a camping trip for parents and kids. Education is always a lasting gift. So is philanthropy - there is always a gift in giving... unless you give out of selfish means. If you express your desire that parents don't buy gifts, but merely purchase a zoo pass, pitch in with purchasing and bringing food and goods for the camping trip or outing, or simply come participate in fundraising for a local charity, these are all ways to avoid a costly birthday and spend time with those you care about... and if you do volunteer your time, it's a great way to give back to your community or those who really need support! Always take pictures. And you could start a scrapbook to commemorate these types of special birthday events... especially if this starts a lifetime of beautiful birthday memories.

We were just at a birthday party where, instead of gifts, we were asked to bring dog and cat food for the Humane Society. My kids loved picking out the food at the store to bring!

I also agree with the woman who said how weird it is to bring a gift and then not have the kid(s) open the gifts at the party. My kids are always disappointed to not see their friends open the gift they chose.

Hi J.,
When my daughter turned 5, she and I sat down and planned her party. While everyone was hiring party planners, entertainment and ect. we decided to do it all ourselves. So, we made all of the decorations. Paper centerpieces (tissue flowers), special balloon bouquets that we hung from the lights, even the place mats. We made our own pin the tail on the donkey game and our own beanbag game (cut holes in a big box and painted it). We decorated the favor bags to give the kids, along with a favor cup for their place at the table. She helped to plan and prepare the food too. I have to tell you, all that came (her whole kindergarten class)where in awe of what we had done. We started about two weeks prior to the party. We sat down for an hour or so every day to work on the party. (she got to really looking forward to our time spent together). Even though she did receive gifts at the party....that is not what she remembers most.........hope your daughter has a very special B-day :) CK

J.,

Something to think about. If you invite people who do bring gifts, it is nice for them to get to see your daughter open them. I've been to parties for kids where the gifts weren't opened, and it seemed weird as though the gift wasn't appreciated because it was whisked away and never seen while we were there.

If you choose to do no gifts, make sure that anyone who is going to give her something, do it at another time.

Just my opinion :)

J.

Have you thought about donating to a charity on her behalf.... or have people bring toys, then donate them to a charity, or have people give donation in liue of gifts. I heard on the radio recently one child collected toys for the kids in Hugo who lost their homes. I work at a children's health organization... in the past I had one little girl who did Build a Bear with kids and GAVE the Build a Bears to the hospital through Child Life Department. I am NOT in anyway saying you need to doonate bears, or donate your own funds, etc... but there are many ways to be creative and teach about giving to whatever you might be passionate about. If there is an organization that inspires you and maybe your daughter would gain some understanding of, maybe that is a route to go or maybe that charity could assist you with an idea for the party or something. Just a thought that isn't right for everyone.

Hi J.~

I have two daughters ages 8 and 11. Birthday parties can be so stressful. My husband is the sole provider for our family, so our birthdays have to be conservative. It's not about the presents. It's about family and friends and enjoying having them all in our lives. There are a couple of things that stand out that I remember doing for my daughter's party that was a hit. They were allowed to invite one friend over and help make their birthday cake. When family and other friends came to the party later on, they all helped decorate it. It was fun and inexpensive (and you didn't need to buy an elaborate birthday cake!). A couple more ideas are buying a game, wrapping it up and when everyone comes, you open it and play it.

If you get Family Fun magazine, they have so many cool ideas in there for birthday parties. From making crafts to having a tablecloth that everyone writes a birthday wish on.

Another idea is having a party that everyone brings something to donate to a non-profit organization. Like the Humane Society. Everyone would bring a donated gift for that cause instead of a gift for your daughter (although my husband and I still went out and bought a couple small gifts). Then she could take it to the Humane Society herself and experience that awesome feeling of helping others. You could invite the paper to come out and take a picture of her. Think of the smile on her face when she sees herself in the newspaper.

My daughter's have been invited to so many parties where it's hard to believe the amounts of "stuff" these kids receive. Sometimes there are so many presents they don't appreciate them nor appreciate all of the toys they already have. In my mind this is not a good Christian example of what a birthday is all about. Keep it simple, fun, and let them appreciate the loving people that surround them and the wonderful blessings they already have in their lives.

Good Luck!

J., For my sons 7th birthday we went to the movies. The theater by us as a party room and show packages. anyone going to the movie got popcorn and a pop plus we were able to bring is subs for everyone before the movie. The kids had a blast and some of the adults stayed in the party room with me (I stayed in the party room with my 1 year old). After the movie we all had cake and that was it.

I have seen many different invitations this year for 6 year old bday parties, many of them wrote on the invitation no presents please just come for fun and games. It seemed to work out well for them. Most of the parties were cookouts,most kids do well with hotdogs and mac&cheese, with games for the kids to play, at 5 years old there are so many simple games they could play that wouldn't cost much or at all.