Why Celebrating Half Birthday’s is the Mom Hack you Need
Yesterday we celebrated our child’s half birthday. Why would we do this? Well, after several years of failed birthday parties during his actual birthday in the month of December we turned to doing a half birthday party for him and we’ll never turn back. If you’ve got a kid whose birthday falls between November and December, or really any winter birthdays, this post is for you!
Such a Letdown
It’s true. There were years when he was young and very excited for birthdays that one or two kids would show up. All the excitement as a five year old was quickly deflated and he wondered why no one could come. The truth his, his birthday falls around Thanksgiving and Christmas and right when all the holiday celebrations are kicking off. Friends tended to be out of town or had other family plans. We spent two, maybe three years attempting birthday parties for him on his actual birthday until we made the switch.
The first year we turned to celebrating him in June I knew we wouldn’t go back. Ice cream is good all the time, but you can’t really beat it on a warm summer day surrounded by your closest friends celebrating your birthday!
My Own Story
I have a winter birthday myself and remember my Mom starting this tradition for me. Instead of having a party around a Christmas tree making ornaments with my friends, we opted for a half-birthday celebration one year and I loved it. I still remember the craft we made with little pots and flowers and being with my friends outside during the best time of the year. We sat in our screened in porch and had a meal I’m sure was very thought out. We swung on our hammock and I’m sure I received simple gifts. I remember we wore our swimsuits, but honestly can’t remember if we mustered up the courage to swim in the lake. Summer birthdays really can’t be beat.
I’m not sure if my Mom and I found the craft idea out of Martha Stewart of the American Girl catalog but I remember the school year was done, I had my closest friends over and to me, it was the best time. Whether it’s the real day or a half birthday celebration, we just want our kids to feel loved on their special day, right?
The Details
For my son we tell him he can have some friends over and that while they’ll get him presents, this isn’t when we get him presents. On his actual birthday in December he’ll get presents and a special dinner with our family. I find summer offers better alternatives for things to do for kids and so he’s opted for pool parties or simply being outside with friends.
Yesterday there was a lot of wiffle ball, some basketball, and of course some game they saw probably on Dude Perfect. He came up with this itinerary on his own, asked for the candy when we were out shopping for the cake ingredients, and set up the table himself too. Some simple painters tape and a can of corn or in our case evaporated milk is all you need! He ranked the candies in order from least to greatest as far as what the kids would want. This offered a fun break inside for them to have snacks and relax before heading outside again! Every kid went home with candy, if it wasn’t consumed here, and that was what we did in place of a gift bag. As kids get older I’m not sure they’re really necessary!
Would you do this?
I highly recommend trying out the half-birthday parties. They don’t work for my other kids, but I’m so glad they work for this one. He gets a fun time with friends and on his real birthday is still special too. I find this to always be the perfect excuse to bring a bunch of boys together to get some energy out outside! They were probably in my house for less than an hour, which any Mom of boys can understand is a win!
Old School Parties
While I’m sharing a lot about how we celebrate our December baby in June, let this remind you that simple birthdays are not only okay, but perfectly fun too! You can have an amazing party in your own backyard with food, fun, and this birthday cake which I made. Halfbaked Harvest really knows how to make delicious ice cream cakes!
When the boys were little we had a donut cake mold and I remember doing that for their half birthdays, but that must have been when I had two kids. I’m pretty sure my third hasn’t celebrated his half birthday!
I’m ever trying to encourage us Moms to have a low stress fun way of doing things, whether that’s cooking dinner or celebrating our kids. If we want to live a life of contentment, let’s enjoy what’s in front of us. A kid’s birthday party is a great time to remember some snacks, cake and ice cream may just be all they really want. Well, that, time with friends, and a small gift or two of course!
