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Well, I stuck to my guns and kept it all frugal. My 'baby' turned 2 years old today and I vowed to not buy him toys. So, I didn't buy any toys! Amazing! (My parents bought him a talking lawnmower and he got a gift from each of my older two boys which they bought with their own allowance money. So he did have some things to open !
My gift to him was a book I wrote about his life up to this point. It turned out cute. Also, I framed his handprint poem in a 11x14 frame. I have done this for each of my kids. It's the sweetest poem... I love it. (their hands are stamped on each side of the poem.)
So, anyway, we had popcorn, grapes (bought on sale...), pretzels and a cake I had to create b/c my baby is milk allergic and can't have regular cake.
We listened to the birthday song by the Beatles, watched a little Barney (at my baby''s insistence..) relaxed, ran around, played catch and just had a nice time. Birthdays are usually elaborate and stressful around here!!! But I am changing my ways.
Ohhh gosh I am so tired. If this post makes no sense, I'll fix it tomorrow after I'm awake.
Goodnight....
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I am so glad that you had a wonderful time. We have family birthday parties where I make the food even the cake since my little one is allergic to eggs. I have some gifts from us but I bought them on sale or clearance. The kids will remember these days as special just like I did as a child.
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GOOD FOR YOU! I'm very impressed because I know the temptation is to go all out.
Not sure if you have seen my previous posts but I'm trying to do the $30. 1 year party this coming Sunday. I think I have about $2.50 left which should be enough to get some lettuce for salad and peppers for the pizza.
I know it's hard because we had some friends asking if we were going all out, and when I said it was just family and simple I think they were surprised.
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It is tempting to throw the big bash... and part of me feels badly that my other two boys have had HUGE parties for every birthday. My 3rd is definitely being shortchanged, but when I think about it I know that he doesn't NEED the huge parties with a zillion guests and gifts and decorations and food galore... he just needs time with his family.
I am sure our party was under $30. We used things we had on hand or just a few things from the store (grapes...)
Good luck with your party on Sunday!!! Let us know how it goes!!
p.s. When I look at pictures from my childhood birthday parties and pictures of dh's childhood parties, they look so simple and nice! The family is all around the table and there is a homemade cake with simple candles. My feeling is you really don't need much more than that. And, in some ways I feel the big parties detract from the day. The grandparents are sort of lost in the crowd and there is no real, genuine interaction. It's all chaos. When I look at my oldest son's birthday pics from years past, we don't even know half those people anymore. (And in all honesty, he didn't like all the noise, sharing of his toys as a toddler, all the chaos and hoopla. He would have preferred the simple party -- it was me who wanted the big sha-bang.)
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that is great. I've bought a bounce house about 6 years ago and we just put it up. and there is the party.
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You've made me rethink the Chuck E. Cheese party I was going to give my dd. I think I will take her there with just us, and then have a family party at home with all the cousins and grandparents, etc. She want's a Baby Alive, and I've explained that it will probably be the only thing she gets. Holy cow those things are expensive.
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Good for you for sticking to your plan. It's sensless sometimes to buy kids a bunch of toys that they will only play with a few times in their life b/c they have so many already.
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Good for you guys! I am glad you had such a great time.
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I have been thinking what to do for my soon to be two year old. He really does not have a lot of friends, so no reason to do anything really big. Just have to keep it simple. Thanks for the reminder!
Theresa
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I was just talking to my mom and i was telling her that all of our friends do these huge parties that cost a couple 100. it is sooo stupid to spend that on a birthday cuz you don't want to clean up! So all of my kids parties are at home and now of course the oldest is doing the whole thing life ain't fair! lol