In early November, my family reached a significant milestone: the last birthday of 2020 in our household. Like the previous four low-key celebrations during the COVID era, this one (my son’s 8th birthday) was spent enjoying his favorite foods, video chatting with grandparents, opening a few presents, and actually playing with those gifts.
This year marked the first time none of my children had a formal birthday party. There was no extravagant theme to organize (think: Dinosaur Space Adventure!), no goody bags filled with trinkets nobody needs, and no stress over choosing between an expensive venue or the chaos of hosting a group of sugar-fueled kids at home. And you know what? It was fantastic.
I’m not suggesting that our past celebrations were entirely negative. My kids had a blast, and we’ve built plenty of joyful memories from those parties. However, things had gotten a bit out of hand. Initially, there was pressure to invite the entire class. Then came the expectation to provide not only cake but also a full meal. Despite invitations often stating “no gifts,” guests still felt compelled to bring something. Ultimately, these parties illustrated the saying, “Too much of a good thing can be overwhelming.”
As my children grow older and spend more time with their friends, I understand how meaningful it is to celebrate birthdays with peers. Yet, the social restrictions during the pandemic have offered us a chance to rethink how we celebrate, and extravagant birthday parties are certainly on that list. A celebration doesn’t need to be grand to be memorable; some of the best parties are the simplest. Just put a kid in a room with their closest friends, add some sweet treats and a few balloons, and everyone will have a great time.
Another advantage of keeping birthday parties small and simple is that it allows families to reclaim their weekends. I no longer miss the frantic juggling of multiple birthday parties in one day, which often ended in tears—both from my kids and occasionally from me.
We’ve experienced some incredible birthday parties that likely came with a hefty price tag, and while the spectacle and lavish cake pops were enjoyable, we’ve also had just as much fun at more intimate, casual gatherings. It’s important to remember that creating joyful memories for our children doesn’t require much. In the end, that’s what truly matters.
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Summary:
This article emphasizes that birthday parties don’t need to be extravagant to be enjoyable. It shares personal experiences of celebrating birthdays simply during the pandemic, highlighting the joy found in intimate gatherings with close friends and family. Ultimately, creating meaningful memories is the primary goal, and simpler celebrations can achieve just that.