Since homeschooling families tend to spend the majority of their waking hours together, if we’re not careful, our children’s birthdays can end up resembling a regular day, especially if their birthday falls on a school day. To celebrate our children’s birthdays, I like to put forth a little bit of time and effort, but not much expense, to make the day extra special.
Here are some of the things I do to celebrate the blessings in my life on their birthdays.
Choose a theme for the day.
To select the theme, I think about the child’s current interests and hobbies, and if the child is young, what sort of toys he enjoys. Some of our recent themes include crocheting, Curious George, and Fancy Nancy. By using a theme related to your child’s interests, you will probably have everything you need to decorate for the day in your own house.
Set the table using theme-related paper goods, decorations, and a centerpiece.
After the birthday child goes to bed, I decorate our kitchen table for breakfast the next morning. Sometimes the child is aware of his birthday theme, sometimes I surprise him. Even if they know what kind of paper goods I am using, the finished table is always a surprise. I keep a stock of solid colored paper plates, napkins, cups, utensils, and tablecloths. I have collected these basic colors over the years; some on sale, and some are just leftover from various parties. I also use printed napkins or plates that coordinate with the current theme.
A crocheting theme–I decorated the table using brightly colored plates and napkins, and then placed matching colors of yarn and crochet hooks all over the table.
I buy plastic tablecloths instead of paper ones because they are reusable, and I also wash the colored utensils and store them for later use as well.
A Fancy Nancy theme–I put the child’s Fancy Nancy doll in the center of the table, and then added various sunglasses, beads, and pretend make up.
A Curious George theme–I used two stuffed Georges and several Curious George books for this table’s decorations.
Wrap the birthday child’s gifts in brightly colored paper.
I stock up on wrapping paper when it is on sale. I try to buy paper that is appropriate for both boys and girls, and younger and older children. I place all of the gifts in the same chair each time, and we allow the birthday child to open his presents as soon as he wakes up the morning of his birthday. When selecting birthday gifts for my children, I try to purchase items of lasting value. I tend to buy gifts like books, puzzles, games, legos, and craft supplies.
The gift chair
Allow the birthday child to select the menu for the day’s meals.
Our birthday child chooses his favorite breakfast, lunch, and supper. We allow one of these meals to be in a restaurant if he chooses. Some of my children choose either lunch or supper out, and some choose for me to prepare all three meals at home. After the child opens his presents, we all gather around the birthday-themed kitchen table to enjoy breakfast together.
Declare the day ”No School” for everyone.
This really pleases all of the children in the family. Since four of our five children have birthdays during our homeschool year, all five children enjoy these days off from school.
The birthday child’s daily chores are completed by his siblings.
This birthday privilege excites my children almost as much as not having schoolwork for the day. Our children have numerous chores, and spending time enjoying their new birthday gifts while their siblings do their chores brings them great pleasure.
Allow the birthday child to choose the activities for the day.
In the past my children have chosen activities such as:
- family bike ride in a nearby national park
- roller skating
- playing at a local playground
- glow in the dark putt putt golf
- visiting grandparents
- riding the carousel at the mall
- eating at a special restaurant
- staying home most of the day playing and relaxing
Celebrating your child’s birthday in a special way does not have to be too expensive nor does it require excessive planning. Just think about what your child likes to do, and plan a day just for him.
Roan writes about her family of 7 regularly at her blog, Joyful Always. She has a child with a July birthday, so she will be blogging about the special day this month.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
LOVE the themed table surprise! I wish I’d thought of that when my kids were younger! One thing that we do every year is tape the child’s birthday age around the house in about 15 different places. Everywhere they go, their new age pops out at them.
Sarah at SmallWorld´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- Petunias
I also love the birthday table for breakfast idea. My husband always takes the day off for our birthdays (including his) and we plan special meals and activities for the b-day person and spend the day together, just the 4 of us. If we have a birthday party with friends, it is always later in the day or on a different day.
Love the theme table surprise too! This will be the first time in a while that my oldest is guaranteed to be home on her birthday, so we are looking forward to celebrating and beginning new traditions that fit with our homeschooling. Thanks for the tips!
Michelle´s last [type] ..Freezer Meals
We take the day off from school too – a huge treat and one they remind me of quite a bit as the day approaches. Their daddy will cook them whatever they want for dinner, and I usually stay up until all hours trying to decorate whatever special cake I have decided on (last year my son got a volcano cake). They always want to hear the story of the day they were born, too.
I love their birthdays! Both of my kids’ birthdays are exactly a week apart, so some years we do a together celebration and some years a separate one. We are still undecided on that.
Deb´s last [type] ..Trauma
Great ideas! We always take everyone’s birthday off, too. I love that homeschooling affords us the opportunity to make each child’s birthday a “national holiday.” ;-)
Kris´s last [type] ..Works for Me Wednesday- Summer Recipes Edition
There are really good ideas – thank you for this post!
Samantha
Samantha´s last [type] ..Beat Summer Boredom With a BIG Package of Cups