As my son’s 2nd birthday approached, I started brainstorming what we should do to celebrate. This year, he would really understand his birthday. He’d be thrilled with ripping open presents and love hearing us all sing “Happy Birthday.” I couldn’t wait to make it special. After all, he’s my fourth, and I never want him to feel like his special days don’t matter as much as his siblings' just because he’s the youngest and last.
Right now, he's in love with Toy Story, so perhaps a themed party? Add a piñata and a fancy cake? What friends should we invite? I could get pizza for everyone, à la Pizza Planet.
I started tallying it all up
Even if we hosted a gathering at our home, I was looking at $300 for invitations, food, decorations, and gifts. He’s 2. And I have three other children.
It just didn’t seem realistic — or wise — to drop over $1000 every year on kids' birthday parties. Who was it that set the precedent that kids need an elaborate birthday party with gobs of gifts to feel loved and special?
When I think back on my favorite birthdays, they were surrounded by family and maybe one or two close friends. The best memories came from an outing and the fact that my mom let me choose my birthday meal, no matter how odd the combination. I often chose pizza and corn on the cob, with brownies for dessert. I only remember one childhood gift: the year I earned $40 toward an American Girl doll and my grandma contributed the rest in honor of my 8th birthday. There were never custom invitations or professionally decorated cakes.
And I loved my birthday
I felt so special, waking up to streamers hanging from our dining room light, and having my dad come to school and eat lunch with me. It truly was the thought that counted.
So, I scaled back. Way, way back. I unpacked my virtual cart of $40 worth of Toy Story paper and decor products, and planned a picnic lunch for a day at the zoo. We have a membership, so that outing option would be virtually free — and my son LOVES the zoo!
He got to hold the map and lead the way – making him feel like such a big boy. His siblings let him choose which animal we saw, and when we saw it, so we criss-crossed the zoo in the most disorganized but fun way.
That evening, when daddy got home, we celebrated with two candles in a scoop of ice cream — my little guy’s favorite dessert. We loudly sang and he grinned ear to ear at the attention. He unwrapped two gifts, to which he exclaimed, “Oh my goodness!”
The first was a green Bilibo that was offered for free in my local Buy Nothing group. It was used, but in near perfect condition, and he adored it. The other was a Playmobil 1-2-3 set that I found secondhand for $10.
Everything was perfect
His 2nd birthday was filled with lots of laughter, many favorites, and so much fun. We honored him all day long and celebrated the blessing he is to our family.
Would an extravagant Toy Story party have been fun? Probably. But, it just wasn’t necessary. This way, we celebrated without breaking the bank and it was a great reminder that birthday magic isn't tied to how much I spend.
