Parenting Birthday Parties: 7 Tips for Creating Your Family Customs

Kids' birthdays can sneak up on the family calendar, often leading us to organize a party or event at the last minute. Here are tips to help you plan birthday celebrations!

Tips:

How will you celebrate? Low-key, big bash, or something in the middle? Will there be a big party every year? Will it just be a family affair? Will you celebrate milestone birthdays differently?
Who is on the guest list? If it is family, does that include extended family or you and the kids? Can the kids invite the whole class or just a few friends for parties?
Parties at your house or a restaurant or a venue? Will it be the same location every year, or will it change from year to year?
What about gifts? Setting an amount to give or spend keeps things fair and easy to remember.
Create a budget for birthdays. The cost of cake, decorations, venues, favors, and invitations can add up quickly.
Add reminders on your phone a month or two before the birthday so you have the time to prepare.
Are you considering a more minimalist approach? Use birthdays as an excuse to plan an experience or take a class as a family. Do you have too many toys? Ask guests to bring a book for a book exchange or a donation to a shelter. Make birthday cards that your child can deliver to a local nursing home or hospital, or have kids bring a potluck item to share for a picnic birthday.

Writing down your plans and preparing ahead of time makes parenting easier! Share your birthday tips in the comments below, or help parents you know by sharing this post with them!

Need more ideas for parenting? Check out these other posts:

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The Best Way to Spoil Your Kids Rotten and Why You Should