I have been brainstorming quite a few blog topics lately and even started drafting a few posts. My folder of drafts that never seem to be finished is growing and not really helping anyone, so let's get some actual posts up, shall we? As I am sandwiched between two of my kiddos birthdays currently, what better time to start a series on birthday cakes and celebrations! This ought to be fun, after all with four children ages 11 to 4 we have celebrated 31 birthdays with our own children alone. That seems so crazy! Sometimes the celebrations have been big and sometimes they have been small but they have always been wonderful times of celebration. So here we go, the Scratch Mom Birthday Blog series begins now!
We have celebrated many first birthdays with friends and family but there are four that are, of course, the dearest to our hearts. First birthdays are almost always an extended family gathering, with the anticipation of the birthday child's first taste of cake at the center of the celebration.
Having celebrated our fair share of 1 year birthdays I'd like to share with you a few helpful tips from our own experience about how to keep things going smoothly for your celebration. It goes without saying that these reminders aren't just useful for first birthdays or even limited only to birthdays, but any celebration you might be having.
Having celebrated our fair share of 1 year birthdays I'd like to share with you a few helpful tips from our own experience about how to keep things going smoothly for your celebration. It goes without saying that these reminders aren't just useful for first birthdays or even limited only to birthdays, but any celebration you might be having.
1. Keep things simple.
I know, you're so excited to celebrate, that you've survived a whole year, with this child of yours, that it's tempting to go nuts with decor, food, and guest lists planning the perfect Pinterest Party, but don't bite off more than you can chew or you'll be too stressed to have fun.
I know, you're so excited to celebrate, that you've survived a whole year, with this child of yours, that it's tempting to go nuts with decor, food, and guest lists planning the perfect Pinterest Party, but don't bite off more than you can chew or you'll be too stressed to have fun.
2. Keep the focus on your child
Not the decorations, not the food...Plan ahead, make lists and give tasks to friends and family to help. Siblings are great resources and I have so enjoyed watching my children want to help celebrate each other. It's about celebrating your child, not how perfect a party you threw.
Not the decorations, not the food...Plan ahead, make lists and give tasks to friends and family to help. Siblings are great resources and I have so enjoyed watching my children want to help celebrate each other. It's about celebrating your child, not how perfect a party you threw.
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3. Plan Accordingly
The best time for your schedule might not be the best time for your child. It's disappointing to have a kid cry instead of enjoy their first cake because they really need a nap, but sometimes even the best of us forget to factor that in when planning a party on the weekend.
The best time for your schedule might not be the best time for your child. It's disappointing to have a kid cry instead of enjoy their first cake because they really need a nap, but sometimes even the best of us forget to factor that in when planning a party on the weekend.
4. Be the Parent in the Picture
We are parents, first not photographers. Ask a friend or family member to take pictures so you can focus on having fun and celebrating with your child and family. I know we are all attached to our phones too, but limit yourself to a couple of selfies with your kid and be done.
We are parents, first not photographers. Ask a friend or family member to take pictures so you can focus on having fun and celebrating with your child and family. I know we are all attached to our phones too, but limit yourself to a couple of selfies with your kid and be done.
I hope you didn't think that would be a long list. It is a party after all and you've got enough to plan and do without me making a huge list of do's and don'ts. At the end of it all, remember, it's a party, have fun! I am the first to step up and say I have done the opposite of all four of these and I'll be the first to tell you we have all still had fun celebrating each one of our children. Have I been more stressed at times and wish I'd done things different, sure there have been a few times things could have gone better if I had stuck to these four helpful tips I'm sharing with you-which is why I'm sharing them. Just know this, all the effort, I've put in to celebrate my children has always been worth it and has also helped me to improve for each successive celebration.
Are you celebrating one of your children's birthday? What tips would you suggest? Feel free to post your own favorite party planning tips in the comments and share this post with someone you know!
Are you celebrating one of your children's birthday? What tips would you suggest? Feel free to post your own favorite party planning tips in the comments and share this post with someone you know!
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