Keeping Birthday's Simple but SPECIAL!

[@TheMinimalMom]

Join our FREE 5 Days to an Organized Christmas Workshop! cli.re/5-Days It's totally free and begins on Monday, Oct. 27th. We'll help you plan, budget, & scale back for the most peaceful and meaningful holiday yet! (The workshop is free, but you're invited to make a donation to the Casa Shalom Orphanage in Guatemala if you choose! THANK YOU!) Feel free to invite your friends and family, too! I hope you have a great weekend! - Dawn

[@whitneywilliams6437]

I cannot get the link to work.. Will it become active on the 27th?

[@TheMinimalMom]

@@whitneywilliams6437 it should work now, but you can also try this link: www.theminimalmom.com/offers/A7DuBBqZ :)

[@whitneywilliams6437]

@@TheMinimalMom Thank you, that worked! I love you and Frugal Fit Mom, so I can't wait to watch y'all work together!

[@kraykray4118]

I was wondering how would you ask family to kindly not buy you a gift without causing upset or offence?

[@AnneReilly-by5iq]

I'm confused by the description. 🙃Does the workshop start on Thursday, October 27 or Monday, October 30?

[@pattifrey8323]

My husband died earlier this year and it made me realize even more how much time together means. I told my brother and his family as well as my daughter and her husband no birthday or Christmas gifts for anyone this year. Instead I am taking all of us on a cruise doing things they normally would not do or spend money on. Swimming with dolphins, the exclusive reserved area on the private island, a ship tour for my brother and nephew. To me being and sharing that time will be memories for life.

[@Karen-pe6oc]

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. This is a wonderful way to enjoy time together and create memories as well as change the dynamics of the holidays.

[@angelasnodgrass6621]

I am so sorry about your husband. Great ideas. Thank you for sharing.

[@laurelarmstrong4535]

What a wonderful gift. Best wishes for your future. Your positive attitude will carry you through.

[@deezahm9143]

My sympathy to you on the loss of your beloved husband. What a wonderful idea to travel with the children and grandchildren! You will have a blast and your husband will be smiling down on you all ❤️💙❤️💙❤️

[@kayelle8005]

So sorry for your loss and what a wonderful way to honour his memory and create new family memories

[@alyd1880]

Yes to thank you notes!! My oldest graduated from high school this year and she was not allowed to use any of the money/gift cards she received until she wrote all of her thank you notes. She found a car she wanted to buy but hadn’t written her thank you notes. I’ve never seen her move so quick to get something done 😂

[@patricia.g1651]

Our mom always made our birthdays special. Birthdays were always celebrated at home. With 6 kids, and a tight budget, Mom would bake and decorate a special cake for the birthday kid (favorite colors, flavor, decorations.) We didn't get tons of presents, usually a some clothes (new, not hand-me-downs!), a fun toy, a book. $5 from my grandparents, and a magazine subscription (we got to choose!) from my other grandparents. The birthday kid got to cut the first slice of cake for themselves (the one with the most icing decorations) and we all wore shiny paper party hats. Those were good times!

[@jessicavanderhyde3997]

My daughter turned 5 and we have some neighborhood kids that hang out all the time. They had her for a birthday party, but we didn't want to do anything big and crazy so we had her birthday cake outside with the kids, a balloon, and they played. I said no gifts, so it was stress-free for the parents, but my daughter felt super special! :) Plus, she decorated her cake, so I didn't have to stress about it looking "perfect"! She was so proud.

[@Jessica_Jones]

Love this so much!

[@MarC-hf1mx]

When my kids were young I found the friend parties stressful too, so we gave them a friend party on odd years and a family party on even years. That way, I got a bit of a break!

[@KristenKingWrites]

This year we told each of our kids that they could either have one trampoline birthday party with friends or we could get them both a trampoline membership for three months. They chose the membership, which ended up being much cheaper, and they still got to take a friend with them for free at the end of each month. So much better than one big party!

[@cindyt3416]

I always stay up late the night before and decorate the house for their birthday. They wake up feeling so special ❤

[@diannefitzgerald5569]

I have often been disappointed when grandchildren never acknowledge gifts that we have sent them. I applaud you for training your children to be thankful.

[@cltinturkey]

Me too! I spent most of my career working overseas and went to a significant expense and effort to send presents to all 10 nieces and nephews. Finally, I just stopped, because I was never really sure whether the gifts were received or appreciated. That's sad!

[@joannecalcutt6724]

That’s not the children. That’s poor parenting. And it is sad.

[@MyFocusVaries]

​@@joannecalcutt6724I think it's overstated to say it's poor parenting. It's absolutely good etiquette to send a thank you. And it's someone's right to stop sending gifts if they're not acknowledged. But the lack of a thank you could be the result of any number of things. We don't know what other people are experiencing. They could genuinely be grateful and think very fondly of the gift giver, yet never get around to sending a formal thank you.

[@ruthmanor70]

@@MyFocusVaries That may be true in some cases, but I think in most cases it is lazinesss and the convenience of the internet/FB of saying thank you to everyone all at once and hope they see it. I just stopped sending money/gifts whenever I don't get a personal phone call or acknowledgement to say thank you.

[@laurat7324]

@@ruthmanor70 Exactly!! It's not that hard or time consuming to write a thank you note. It's MORE time consuming to shop and buy a gift and then send it. My mom made us write thank you notes after birthdays and at Christmas. I hated it but now I see the value in it.

[@princessaome]

I like the way Montessori celebrates birthdays, singing “the Earth goes around the sun” while the child holds “the Earth” and going in circles around a candle or something that represents the sun. Then they go year by year showing pictures of the child doing things, and talking about them and asking them questions like what could you do when you were 3? I’ve seen this with young children but I’m sure something like it with older would be special too.

[@katieburrows1764]

I have 6 kids. Not my own idea, but i borrowed this lovely birthday touch. Before my birthday child awakes, I decorate a special place setting at the table for them. I buy nothing for this. I rummage around and find ribbons to hang, tissue paper to tear into confetti, a pretty placemat or towel or fabric I have around, a platter or fancier dish on which to serve. My kids are generally not allowed to help themselves to food, and have a couple chores to do before breakfast. The magic of birthdayi is that they get to skip chore that morning, and have treats waiting for them on the birthday place setting. Maybe a yogurt parfait or hot cocoa with sprinkles or an arrangement of fruits...they never lnow what it might be. I don't purchase much or anything for this...just go collecting a small managerie of special things from the pantry and such...(don't we all usually have a stash of chocolate or a little something hidden away not for "everyday" eating?) I think the specialness of this is anticipation. They never know what it will look like. Just something to wake up to that says, "You're special ❤️. It's a special day."

[@petra7322]

My grandsons wife writes the most sincere and beautiful thank you notes and I love it, definitely a lost art💕

[@robertkrismeyer5783]

My Grandson's wife's both write beautiful thank you notes, so glad they both married such thoughtful young ladies.

[@SassySue67]

Dawn, too many people don’t know how to write thank you notes, glad you’re teaching your kids to do that.

[@tanias.411]

We started doing dinner out and a fun activity of the child's choosing instead of gifts a few years ago. They love it. We've done movies, arcade, jelly ball, etc. Also my parents (starting at age 3), they take the birthday kid out for a meal of their choosing and then they give them a budget to go shopping with. Our kids are 17, 14 and 11 and my parents plan to do this until the kids don't want to!

[@bankomeister11]

Our family motto is “we are blessed to be a blessing” from Genesis 12. If we host a simple party for friends, we request donations for a ministry that helps single moms and their kids. So instead of bringing toys, they bring baby clothes, diapers, etc for the families served by the ministry. Then after the party, mg kids hand deliver them to the home for the ministry. To honor the kids, I make a simple iPhone video compiling pics and videos from their entire life, and each family member shares something they love or admire about the birthday boy.

[@joannecalcutt6724]

I agree with you completely Dawn. People get stupid buying presents for birthdays and Christmas. I like to have big family dinners for these occasions with good food, lots of desserts and games everyone can play. Good times. Love your channel ❤️

[@williesmith4720]

Our son was a Christmas baby, 12/21. When he was small we would have an inside picnic on the floor in the living room with hot dogs, chips, etc. by the Christmas tree!

[@deedsh6280]

I love the idea of thank you's. My sister in law did such a great job and we saved all of the thank you cards over the years from her kids, which included how they spent the cash we sent. From toys and Batman capes to books and makeup & tech, the cards told the story. On their 18th birthday, when we stop presents for kids, I made a collage of all the thank you cards over the years and gave it to them. They laughed (and we cried a bit) at all the growing up they did, and how fast the years went. Loved this video, and emphasizing that gifts are a part, not the whole, story of family love.

[@dsmith9796]

What a fabulous thing you did!

[@marycousino4820]

Love that you have your kids write thank you notes! They are also learning about how to mail letters. In our electronic age it is still important to know how to mail letters.

[@barbkandel777]

This is a great video, Dawn! I love the idea of a Fiver Party. Genius!

[@flossieepley9819]

I hated being the sixth person to like this comment because it was so perfect to have five likes for a fiver party! Love this idea!

[@tonyabarnette7812]

For my oldest child’s birthday, (since about 3 years old) he always asked to go to a hotel with a pool, so that was always his gift. He always wanted to order a pizza to be delivered, and swim all evening. Then my youngest daughter decided when she was older, that she wanted the same thing. It’s was so much fun, and we got to spend quality time together.

[@alexisquinn2784]

I find the “layers” of the birthday cake really loving and caring of each person’s special day. You are such a thoughtful parent to your children and family. Greetings to your mom as well . 🥳

[@joankleiner]

My family is spread out in different states. So at Christmastime my kids buy presents for their children (my grandchildren) for me. Every one gets exactly what they wanted... the right size, the right color, etc. and I buy for me from them. On Christmas we show each other what they bought. No stress, no shipping costs, no returns and no disappointment. It's fun and funny on the Zoom calls. :)

[@jimcandykollath8425]

We all live in the same county & my daughter and daughter in law do the buying for me too! When they see something the kids want from Halloween to Christmas they pick it up & I wrap it. Works great for us all

[@kathrynhilder9609]

We have 5 kids, all young adults/adults now. We have always decorated the house for their birthdays (still do for those still living at home). We have a special pancake breakfast and they choose the dinner I'll cook for them and the type of cake. I think it's super important to celebrate the kids on their birthdays. They've bought me a lifetime of joy. ❤

[@Nick-wy2uf]

My go to gifts are mostly chocolate boxes, wine or watercolor art i make (like bookmarks or a handmade card) lol people enjoy them and they don't clutter up their spaces ❤❤🎉🎉😊😊

[@commenter5901]

We always let our kids decide what kind of party they want and we have a few options. The option that almost always gets picked is to have one friend over for a sleepover. It's by far the cheapest option and it's the one they like best.

[@bshows14]

As my kids have gotten older they just have one friend over and pick an activity. Going to the pool, a rec center, seeing a movie etc. We make a homemade dessert and they choose dinner. Easy peasy.

[@mzudsiri]

We only have a 2yr old but I am already feeling the stress of birthdays and so thankful for this video to give me more perspective into the years to come especially how to instill gratitude. So far we purchased a wooden cake stand to use for every birthday and also I found a really simple tablecloth at Target that I purchased 2x incase something happens. But I am calling it the celebration tablecloth. Next year I hope to finally paint a birthday cake plate.

[@senseijoyner]

The moms of younger kids in our church will often do a fb invite or hand out invites to a "party" requesting no gifts but that of friendships, have a simple cake or cupcakes, a couple balloons, and play in sprinklers, homemade water slides, or play in dirt patches in the yard. Sometimes if there's a particular interests that the child wants included a small activity is done, but nothing major.

[@Gus-Was-Here]

Dawn, your channel lowers my blood pressure, lol. Love being invited into your cozy home and lovely family. Many times, my husband and I will leave your channel on to go to sleep (no offense! lol). I have used many, many of your organizing and minimalist ideas/methods. Thanks for putting the work in that you do, to provide your followers with a breath of fresh air and great tips. Sounds like you have a wonderful mother and you have taken after her. Thanks again and Happy Birthday, Gage!

[@elisaangel9789]

Our neighbor was 80 years old on the day my sister and I were born. We used to celebrate with him! It was great! It was a small gathering because that's our speed and because our birthday was on a long-holiday weekend, so people we might have invited were typically out of town. It all worked out.

[@marybowling7652]

I love the $5 idea because it cuts down on clutter, removes any unwanted gifts that your child may want, and is reasonable cost for a gift. Toys are outrageous at the stores now! My little guy has Autism and we find lots of ways to make him feel special on his Birthday. First, we countdown the days to his birthday on a dry erase board so he gets to change the day up everyday. Then, he always gets a special dessert that he chooses ahead of time which is usually not cake. One year we all ate pull and peel cherry Twizzlers and he was so happy! Last, if we have it in our budget we do something special like a day at the zoo -- we live where it is warm, Polar Express was super fun and on his birthday which he loved. He gets 2 special presents from us -- a nice one and an inexpensive one and then family and friends give him gifts. We once had a huge pizza party for him at a restaurant but found that was overwhelming for him. So I think you are right think about the specific child and what would be special for them!

[@OneFellSwoopDesign]

I agree with you! Family parties over friend parties! Family is forever

[@Snitzler4710]

Happy belated birthday to Gage. He sure is special! I love watching him grow and that winning smile. 🎉❤

[@ladykatietx]

Your mom seems like such a special person ❤

[@laurenbuenger4863]

We have only done a friend's party every couple years for our kids and then have asked for donations for a charity. Our kids are blessed with gifts from family. Last year our son took the donations, picked out lego sets (he had a lego theme party) and went with me to Donate them to our local children's hospital. It was a special memory!

[@patriciab3663]

I agree with you on the thank you notes. I have always told my nieces and nephews that if I can take the time to write a check, they can take the time to write a thank you note. My family is trying more and more to give experiences rather than things, because we all have too much. When I was a kid, we only got gifts from our parents. Now kids get gifts from aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, friends of your parents, etc. It’s overwhelming.

[@joannereynolds69]

I have always put birthday decorations up for my Daughter’s on their birthdays - mainly consisting of bunting and door wreaths I made years ago that get pulled out every year. Birthday celebrations were a choice that came out of their birthday budget. They always have a cake and the few gifts that they receive from us are usually consumables or experiences- always wrapped beautifully because that’s what my mum did for me. I can’t remember the present but that she always took the time to make sure they were wrapped and looked special. And I always prioritised getting it all done and ready before their birthday - nothing screams more loudly that you don’t care is a card or gift that is given late xx

[@jenniferbarney4220]

Thank you notes for the win! My parents always stressed the importance of them, and I am so glad they did. It's just good manners.

[@deeh889]

My grandson is the type who doesn't care much about presents. A few years ago, she threw an Animal Shelter birthday for him. The kids brought pet food, dishes, towels, blankets, chew toys, etc. Great idea. 😊

[@wellhavenco]

We have three boys right now. I've decided that we will "alternate" birthday parties with friends each year. I always celebrate a first birthday because getting through that first year is really special! Whoever's year it is to have a friend birthday can invite which friends they want and choose a theme. The party is their gift. The other boys' whose "off year" it is gets a special celebration day with family. They get to choose dinner (or eat out) and get a couple of gifts (something they want and something we want for them). We focus more on gifts for birthdays and not so much on Christmas. Each year is different, but I always try to keep things simple!

[@gayleklein8890]

We raised our kids on Long Island, talk about expectations! Sweet 16s were like weddings! I did not have the money, or personality for that, so I told her, she could have a backyard barbecue, or I would lease her a horse for a month and take her every day! Her best friend mom her that and said, you're allowed to do that?! Sign me up! So every day, I took the girls to the barn, and became I had to stay on the property, would sit under a huge oak tree and knit and pretend I wasn't there. It was magical, and she still rides today all these years later!❤

[@shelbyhartman4224]

This year for my daughters 8th birthday we offered her a “yes day” in a city about an hour away from our hometown. Her dad and I are divorced and she asked for a day with mom & dad and she picked where we were eating for breakfast lunch and ice cream, one big activity (she chose an indoor trampoline park) then we stopped at a few of her favorite consignment stores (each of us gave her a limit as our gifts to her) and we went to a few of her favorite outdoor parks. It was a special day for sure! Another thing in terms of gifts from people who really want to give something is we ask for experience gifts, my mom is great at gifting passes to a local zoo or children’s museums and lately “spa days with grandma” has been a favorite gift of my daughters. They go get manicures and pedicures together

[@michellereader5456]

I decorate the bedroom door with streamers - so they burst thru into a new year! Love love the idea of “celebrating” & making memories 🎉 I’ve done the fiver & it’s a good way too!! And gratitude is so very important!! ♥️♥️ sometimes my daughter wants to have a giver party …. Collecting food pantry items or shelter items or items for the animal shelter.

[@cynthiaslebodnik6945]

My youngest son turns 36 on the 19th, and I am giving him a handmade gift - 3 scrapbooks covering birth to high school graduation (plus the death of his brother right before his 18th birthday). He knows he's getting these books that I've been working on for several years, but he hasn't seen them put together. My husband, son, and I then celebrate by going out to a restaurant for dinner. I did do the friends' parties when the boys were little, but I really enjoy this time, just the 3 of us. Life just goes by so quickly that sitting down and talking means so much. We do this for all the birthdays in the family. Your family has really grown up during the time I've been watching your videos.😊

[@virginiagrenier8572]

For Christmas we kept it strictly for the kids - no adults received gifts. The kids got 3 gifts from us - 1 for the mind (a book or something educational) 2 for the body (some piece of clothing or accessory), and 3 for the soul/spirit (something that reflected their personality). We explained that it was Jesus' birthday and when He was born he only got 3 gifts. It really helped on the years when the budget was tight.

[@kathyengland3534]

I love your tradition of the birthday person making and decorating their own cake!

[@brendamaun5455]

My son works in IT and It has always been that company's tradition that the birthday person brings treats for everyone else.

[@denisecowhey6503]

I agree with you on the thank you notes. It’s so important.

[@cynthiawhitcomb1780]

Yes! Thank you notes are important. Gratitude is even more important! Adults need to be reminded of this, too.

[@gopugmama4408]

My daughter-in-law is the best "thank you for the gift" card giver ever! And, she taught our grandsons to write their own thank you cards, too! I have saved everyone, especially when the grandboys were littles and were learning how to write. Thank you cards are a lost art. I treasure mine as I'm sure other do, too. Gage is so adorable and so sweet as are all your other children.💗

[@marty9011]

I love how you mentioned thanking people for their gift. That happens so seldom now but it is still important.

[@monicazeigler7710]

Every year, right before my kids' birthday party we have with family, I update their scrapbook. Each kid has their own simple scrapbook and I make this my annual time to update it with their special moments from the past year. I leave this out at the party so guests can look back from their birth to now. Dawn, I love how intentional you are about making your kids' birthdays special. I share a lot of your thoughts and I am trying to establish good traditions while my kids are young. Though my kids are too young to write, I'm adding thank you notes they can help with to my birthday checklist. Thank you!

[@wellhavenco]

I love this! I've been wanting to create a "birthday book" for each of my boys, starting with the pregnancy, birth, and then adding each birthday celebration (however big or small)... then giving it to them when they turn 18 :)

[@jenihead129]

One year for my son’s friends party we asked people to bring items to donate to the animal shelter. Then I took my kids to the animal shelter to drop off the donations and play with the cats and dogs. It was a lot of fun!

[@cltinturkey]

Bless you for sending thank you notes! It's a lovely thing to do, and people who have mailed things will then know their gift arrived. It's classy and distinctive, and if your kids continue the practice into adulthood, they'll stand out in the best way. Think about writing a sincere and specific thank you note after a job interview. They will really stand out! I remember receiving one thank you from my nephew, who wrote. "Thank you for the birthday check. Dad will cash it as soon as I mail this note." He was about 10 or 12, and I was living far away. Please encourage your kids to continue with their thank you notes. They're easy to write if you do it soon after the event and really make a positive impression.

[@Ago2904]

My mother also had me write thank you notes when I was growing up. Now, as an adult, I actually enjoy writing notes to people! ❤

[@cltinturkey]

@@Ago2904Bravo! This sets you apart and makes such a great impression. I remember my dad standing at the base of the staircase, yelling up to my brother "Did you send the Kiley's a thank you note?" If not, he had my brother come downstairs and write the note on the spot. Seemed tiresome when we were growing up, but I'm so happy we have this skill now.

[@jengruber7265]

Gifts from fellow friends at kids parties are the bane of my existence! Although 'gifts' is 1000% my love language, junk/stuff we don't want is NOT. And I personally just feel like other kids aren't going to know exactly what my kid wants, so we're just going to get things that are kind of meaningless or won't get used. Typically on friend party invitations I have written "No presents, just your presence!" It hasn't always been warmly received, there's still one or two friends that will bring a present, but I can tell over the last few years that the same friends that come to the party are starting to get it and respect it. This way I know I'm providing a more valuable birthday party for my child and it's not all about the presents. 🎉

[@ScrapHappy]

I like to sit down with my boys on their birthday to look at their photo albums and scrapbooks. Seeing the photos of them as they grow and the reminders of the fun things we’ve done together is an amazing tradition.

[@bellaluce7088]

What a lovely tradition! 🥰

[@pamelabalboa5174]

I have always made them a special dinner, anything they wanted with a small gift. They no longer live with us but the still look forward to the family getting together and choosing their special meal. Only difference is we plan the day since they now work.

[@d.dorough]

I was raised to write thank you notes. So sad to see that it no longer seems important. Wedding presents, baby shower presents, it doesn't matter, even when the guests fill out the envelope as they come in to the party, the note doesn't get written and sent. Thank you for raising your children with this form of gratitude. It means SO much to others.

[@fiddlejillm]

My youngest turned 17 this past week! Our traditions are VERY similar to yours. Choose your dinner and cake (which is now one of your bundt cakes), simple decorations that they wake up to (and I write a poem on a chalkboard each year) and a few gifts. This year her gift from us is a trip to TN in a couple weeks. We also prioritize thank you notes, too.

[@LibertyHope95]

I really like these ideas! Birthdays, specifically parties and gifts, really stress me out. We did the party thing for our first kid but then when our second came along, we decided to go somewhere fun (trampoline park has been a favorite for us) and just invite the grandparents. We do a cake and then they still have gifts from the grandparents to open, but the special place we go is our gift to them. So far, our kids have loved it!

[@ThankfulNanaDiane]

When our kids were small, I stressed myself out, planning the perfect parties with games, prizes, goodie bags for guests, decor… The older they got, I realized they just wanted to hang out with their friends. Whew! So much easier to just plan a simple lunch, ending with the birthday cake. 😊❤️

[@nidabudreikiene402]

Every year for our twins' b-day my husband and I prepare them a treasure hunt consisting of various tasks they have to do in order to find the presents. The tasks have gotten more and more complex with each year. We find so many ideas online and adapt them, for example, doing crosswords, putting together a puzzle and flipping it so that you can read your next clue on the reverse side, encrypting clues with all sorts of codes, using a mirror to read a clue etc. Our kids spend almost an hour doing the treasure hunt tasks, and it brings them probably just as much fun as getting the presents :-)) We, the parents, have loads of fun creating the treasure hunts too!

[@m3rrin]

Yayyy🎉 love this

[@joannemazurek9075]

I remember when I got a little older, we would put on my birthday party invitations No Gifts. The intention was to have cake and ice cream and play some games with family and friends. I had a much better experience when we started doing that. Later on, I would just pick a friend or two we would take out to eat with us. Spending my Birthday with them was the treat.

[@lisam5744]

Growing up, it was always a family thing (usually a cake after dinner type of thing). When my kids were little, we'd let them choose what to have for dinner, a cake or pie for dessert. Again, always a family thing. I did notice, when they were younger is when the huge, expensive, themed children's birthday parties started becoming a thing. I never understood spending a car payment or a house payment on a party trying to outdo other parties. Hopefully that will become a thing of the past.

[@ninadukette3340]

I think it is worse. I like Dawn's approach. The fiver party is genius.

[@Maiju86]

We do themes parties, but very low key! There is also a middle ground. It's just sad that you can't put balloons up anymore because everything gets broken in matter of minutes even if the parents are there. 😢 It would be so easy and cheap to decorate with balloons, but now we do even less decorations...

[@garycreed9534]

Wonderful! We do similar things and we have been writing thank you notes from the very beginning🥰 … it is a lost art that is so important ❤️we also had a donation party…bring a donation for a toy drive or can goods for a local pantry 😊thank you all around!~Angela

[@amandanagle2765]

We do a friend's birthday party when they turn 5 and 10 (it will be up to them if they want a party for 15 or 16). They help with the planning and inviting and decision making. It gives them something to look forward to, but I don't have a crazy birthday every year ☺️

[@morgan.mccrea]

I work with a gal who does something I love for her kids birthdays. She gives them the option to choose between one large gift, a birthday party with friends, or a “yes day” with just mom and dad. I thought it was so cool! It keeps expectations even and doesn’t blow their birthday budget by trying to do it all. But it also lends way for the kids to change up depending on what they want every year, or just depending on their personalities and what they would like.

[@l.p.hunter538]

Oh my goodness! I feel so seen. Our birthdays are pretty low key as well and emphasize time with family:-) Love love!

[@TigerG16]

Great ideas! We always tell our kids they can invite their 3 best friends over. Then the 4 of them do activities at the house/yard of bday kids choice. Also have a buffet spread of the bday kids choice as well. Involves them helping plan the party, keeps it small and easy at our place! Once older they will prob involve sleepovers as well.

[@kristadavis2825]

We do the same tradition of the kids and I making and decorating their birthday cakes.

[@charlafraley8340]

We have always written thank you cards and still do and I’m 67, when growing up we had to have our thank you notes written and mailed by New Year’s Day or we spent New Year’s in our room writing them and couldn’t do anything else until they were done. I have instilled the same behavior with my own two kids and now grandchildren. People really appreciate the hand written thank you notes. Just the art of writing letters is fading also. My oldest granddaughter is in her third year of college and I hand write her a letter every week. Sometimes I’ll slip a small gift card in it, some money, or a photo of something we just did as a family. I just found out she has been saving them since her first letter of college her freshman year. I did the same thing with my grandfather and really appreciated the frequent letters.

[@teresabell1014]

Y'all are so blessed to have such great parents ! I agree with you 💯 family parties only and the idea of giving kids a choice of a party or for the money.

[@HockeyGurl258]

Thank you SO MUCH for making this video! I feel like our family has been trending this way toward birthdays the past few years, but I can't even tell you how much I appreciate the reassurance that this is okay and that other families are handling birthdays similarly. So many good ideas in here to make our little ones feel special and loved!!!

[@ucfhillcollege8296]

On my children’s birthdays, I would go sit with them on their bed, first thing in the morning. I would share their birth story. From discovering I was pregnant to the moment I saw their beautiful faces. They loved hearing the crazy stories. And hearing how everyone was delighted with their arrival. We would laugh, and this mom sure did tear up! I was surprised the first year my son was at college, and he called me on his birthday in the morning. He wanted to hear his birth story is the age of 18.

[@rmm4123]

I find birthday parties are so over the top now. In years past I felt the pressure because everyone else was doing these expensive birthday parties for their kids with 15 friends at a venue that costs $200. I decided that’s not for me and my family and I’m keeping it simple. I grew up with cake and ice cream, a few friends to play with and presents, and it always felt special! 🎉

[@jenniferbyham7040]

I just joined the Organized Christmas Workshop! Thank you for all you do!

[@lynn7348]

I love the idea of teaching the concept of gratitude to your children 💙💚❤️

[@missjanet111]

Thank you notes are a must! Kids parties are very stressful for ALL the parents involved. stressful and expensive. The fiver party is brilliant!

[@Jennaweeks61]

I really think how y’all do things is awesome. Family really is most important!!! They would rather that then things at least I know mine would. Unfortunately we don’t have a very close family anymore ❤😊🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@vlapine]

I love that you include gratitude. Thank you cards are so important. Amen

[@barbarabelvin4720]

I was thinking to tell you what a great blessing you have been in my life. Thank you, God brought you to me in a time of great pain and loss. What a blessing your family is to me! I just finished making your pumpkin bundt cake for a gathering. I make your cake every fall now, in celebration of you & your family! And in celebration of your birthday! We love you! We watch Rusty Judgment as well! And love it !Thank You for caring & sharing! Again thank You!

[@barbarabelvin4720]

And Diana 's Birthday as well! You are all loved well!

[@evalindell2757]

Love the car cake! Reminds me of one Christmas when baby Jesus was in a red Farrari 😳 As we all in my family helpt with dakorating for both birthday and Christmas etc. Now I do some of it with my grandchildren and it is wonderful with traditions!!! 🥰❤️

[@empireofpeaches]

Happy birthday to the young man from Australia! I love his squishy dog. Great tips, as always, thanks.

[@trinitadecamp4763]

Dawn - this is why I’ve been a subscriber to your channel for years! You are so relatable , unpretentious, grounded and practical. You’re like my friend next door who doesn’t live next door. I love how this encompasses all the important stuff, family, fun, friends, tradition, gifts, gratitude and recognition, but in a balanced way and not over the top. Love you and your family! Happy belated birthday, Gage (aka: mom’s best helper!)

[@abundantlife8396]

Trinitadecamp4763 Mom’s best helper is Corbin? Not Gage? Not sure, haha

[@SuziQ-fg4ee]

Oh wow I cannot wait for your 'Christmas Collaboration' with those other awesome You Tubers. What a treat!!!! 🤩

[@angiem7639]

We always stay up later the night before and decorate for whoever’s birthday it is. The kids will tape up a ton of balloons and put streamers everywhere. Special breakfast. I ask what kind of cake or dessert they want me to make. They get to go in store in pick out the ice cream they want. Usually one big gift and a couple of little ones. They will usually make each other cards. I fill up one confetti balloon and put the amount of money that matches their age. For dinner it’s either what they want me or my husband to make or go out to eat. We keep it simple and just have my parents come over.

[@lorikegley3327]

Happy birthday to Gage & Tom!🎈🎈

[@hollypepen4012]

No kids yet, but my husband and I have a formula for each other’s birthdays. Choice of restaurant for dinner, choice of birthday dessert, and doing something fun together 😊

[@melaniegraham1413]

Happy birthday Gage! Last year in single digits. 🎉🎉

[@cltinturkey]

Gage has grown up so much in the years I've been watching your videos. These are terrific ideas. Happy Birthday Gage! I hope you'll enjoy your keyboard and have many fun adventures this year!

[@MargieBrown-l2b]

Friends party- Our kids choose a charity (usually the pet shelter nearby) and guests are asked to bring a "gift" for that charity. It is especially fun for the birthday child when they take the donations.

[@arlineswardson6012]

Gage is simply ADORABLE 💕💕

[@lindalarcom7952]

Great ideas! Thank you so much. Five-er idea is gold!

[@faithhomeschool2789]

Love your ideas so good they are adaptable. Thank you notes are a must; gratitude is important. We celebrate as a family always have as we have enough kids to make it fun. We usually do a family dinner at home. We adapted cash gifts or gift cards 3 years ago because there was a lack of interest with toys after a week or so and as kids got older their interest changed and it just became donations.

[@mmn1442]

We give gifts of experiences. Movie or concert tickets, restaurant gift cards, museum and zoo passes, tickets for sporting events, tea parties, skating rinks... These types of gifts make fun memories that last longer than any toy

[@jemnjuls]

This week my eldest turned 14! We've been travelling for 2.5 years, so this year was special as he could celebrate with friends! He had 2 friends join him at Bounce (indoor trampoline, rockwall, ninja course etc) then nachos & icecreams back at our house. He then had 2 seperate dinner celebrations with each set of grandparents. We did homemade pizza for one night, watched a Laurel & Hardy 😊 One set of grandparents gifted money for something he is saving up for, the other set bought him a painting from a Kelpie muster back in June and took him slot car racing with his sister. We gifted him a day of horseriding. His birthday kind of spanned over a week and was memorable in so many ways with minimal gifts. His friends gifted him a chocolate, book & money. Love keeping gifts to a minimum and naking experiences the highlight!

[@-living4jesus4ever-]

More videos like this!! Love it! How about Easter, Christmas etc? :)

[@wendyscopes]

We do something similar to the fiver party - guests are invited to give three coins (UK, so max is £6). One coin goes towards a party gift, one towards saving up, and one to charity. I like it for so many reasons: it limits the spending for others; it reduces the waste on unnecessary gifts; parents appreciate not having to guess what our children like; it helps our children to be more grateful (they don't appreciate the gifts if they're overwhelmed by them); and they love choosing a charity that's meaningful to them give to. So many good reasons to stop the party gift madness!

[@licoreen]

Thank you for posting this. Love how you don’t have to knock yourself out to give your kids a nice birthday.