Birthdays are always special whether it's for kids or adults. We always have a hidden desire to get our birthdays celebrated, right? Birthdays have actually become another family festival which the whole family now celebrate with full swing. After I got married, one little "Birthday" incidence changed my perspective towards birthdays. I got married in Feb and in July came my husband's birthday. I asked him about his birthday gift so that accordingly I could buy something. He told me his answer and a supporting story for that answer. Let me first reveal his answer "What money can't buy". I was mystified after getting this answer.
And now comes the story. During his studies, he used to save some money using different ways. Ways, for example, not returning the changes to my mother in-law after he did any buying, charging her some amount for getting things from the market etc.. On his sister's birthday ( which comes during winters), he decided to use his savings to buy her a grand gift. Let me tell you one thing here, my sister in-law is very picky about clothes. She loves shopping and bright colors :). Continuing the story, my husband went to the market and got a good sweater for his sister. He gifted it on her birthday, but got a long-faced reaction from his sister. Actually, she didn't like the sweater. It was little over sized and light colored. His sister simply gave thumbs down to it and didn't wear it a single time. He was hurt and sad. As his sister was not wearing it and it was an expensive one, his mother started wearing it :).This gave him more irritation as every time he saw her mother wearing that sweater, he got to remember his not accepted gift.
With time, this little incident made him understand one thing. Birthday's are not only for gifts. It's more about making birthday buddy happy. He told me this story so that I can clear my understanding about birthdays. Referring to this story, he demanded me "What money can't buy". Now I can connect to his answer. Happiness, smiles, and peace of mind money can't buy. Money can be used as a helping hand to achieve all this but there is no such shop in this whole universe where we can get Happiness as a whole.
On my son's first birthday we followed the same thought, "Birthdays are to make birthday buddy happy." And instead of any grand celebration, we decided to have a small party with family friends only. We invited our neighbors also whom my son loves a lot. So, the birthday celebration was like :
1. Big party hall but fewer people so that kids can get space to play as they wish.
2. A Bigger cake so that kids can have as much they want, plus we offered cake to hotel staff also.
3. Duration 7 PM to 10.30 PM only so that everyone can reach home timely. Kids can go school next day and office people also don't feel sleepy next morning.
4. Good food ( food is the only thing adults enjoy in any party)
5. And lots of pics to keep memories safe for a lifetime.
Some of the other creative ideas I have in my mind and I would use them in coming birthdays of my son (until he is not 5) are :
1. Painting activity for all: I love coloring and I have read that coloring actually eases mental stress. So I am thinking to have a coloring party for all age groups. I will arrange printed patterns (based on different age group of guests) and would give my guests pencil colors. They will fill the pattern using their creativity and absolutely the way they want.
2. Make a story: Each family will get 5 words and using those words they are supposed to make a story. Anyone from the family can narrate the story in front of others.
3. Antakshari with poem and rhymes: I admit, kids these days know so many songs. But it would fun to play antakshari with including rhymes and poems. This way kids of all the age groups can show their talent.
4. Birthday supervisor: Divide kids( and adults as well) into two groups. Each team would be having a leader (supervisor) and under his/her guidance kids would play and enjoy the party food. Each team would also have their own games and the best game would get prizes.
And now comes the story. During his studies, he used to save some money using different ways. Ways, for example, not returning the changes to my mother in-law after he did any buying, charging her some amount for getting things from the market etc.. On his sister's birthday ( which comes during winters), he decided to use his savings to buy her a grand gift. Let me tell you one thing here, my sister in-law is very picky about clothes. She loves shopping and bright colors :). Continuing the story, my husband went to the market and got a good sweater for his sister. He gifted it on her birthday, but got a long-faced reaction from his sister. Actually, she didn't like the sweater. It was little over sized and light colored. His sister simply gave thumbs down to it and didn't wear it a single time. He was hurt and sad. As his sister was not wearing it and it was an expensive one, his mother started wearing it :).This gave him more irritation as every time he saw her mother wearing that sweater, he got to remember his not accepted gift.
With time, this little incident made him understand one thing. Birthday's are not only for gifts. It's more about making birthday buddy happy. He told me this story so that I can clear my understanding about birthdays. Referring to this story, he demanded me "What money can't buy". Now I can connect to his answer. Happiness, smiles, and peace of mind money can't buy. Money can be used as a helping hand to achieve all this but there is no such shop in this whole universe where we can get Happiness as a whole.
On my son's first birthday we followed the same thought, "Birthdays are to make birthday buddy happy." And instead of any grand celebration, we decided to have a small party with family friends only. We invited our neighbors also whom my son loves a lot. So, the birthday celebration was like :
1. Big party hall but fewer people so that kids can get space to play as they wish.
2. A Bigger cake so that kids can have as much they want, plus we offered cake to hotel staff also.
3. Duration 7 PM to 10.30 PM only so that everyone can reach home timely. Kids can go school next day and office people also don't feel sleepy next morning.
4. Good food ( food is the only thing adults enjoy in any party)
5. And lots of pics to keep memories safe for a lifetime.
Some of the other creative ideas I have in my mind and I would use them in coming birthdays of my son (until he is not 5) are :
1. Painting activity for all: I love coloring and I have read that coloring actually eases mental stress. So I am thinking to have a coloring party for all age groups. I will arrange printed patterns (based on different age group of guests) and would give my guests pencil colors. They will fill the pattern using their creativity and absolutely the way they want.
2. Make a story: Each family will get 5 words and using those words they are supposed to make a story. Anyone from the family can narrate the story in front of others.
3. Antakshari with poem and rhymes: I admit, kids these days know so many songs. But it would fun to play antakshari with including rhymes and poems. This way kids of all the age groups can show their talent.
4. Birthday supervisor: Divide kids( and adults as well) into two groups. Each team would be having a leader (supervisor) and under his/her guidance kids would play and enjoy the party food. Each team would also have their own games and the best game would get prizes.
Nice ideas and I agree that small kids need more space to play than a event manager with loads of activities and never ending parties.
ReplyDeleteI loved all these ideas,i deeply believe this theory about making birthday buddy happy.Thank you for writing with us for #MondayMommyMoments.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas Shipra. I agree its all about making memories and all about the things which money cant buy. ThaNks for writing for #MMM :)
ReplyDeleteI endorse your idea...kids birthday should not be packed with crowd.
ReplyDelete