Create a birthday memory with these simple ideas
October is a special month in our family--both my husband and son celebrate in October, so a few weeks ago I made a video tutorial of a cake drawing for you and your kids.
Today I want to encourage you to invest in something that lasts for the birthday loved one, whether it is an experience, a physical gift, or both.
What gifts do you still have (and value) from your childhood? What good gift memories do you have from your childhood?
My birthday is a week after Christmas, so the gifts I receive are sometimes both Christmas and birthday gifts. One of the most memorable gifts that I still have and value I remember receiving as a little girl. We had some gifts under the tree that were covered with a sheet so we couldn't see them until after we had eaten breakfast and had a family worship service. There we were, tantalized by the sight of the sheet, getting more and more excited for the big reveal. At last it happened--the sheet was lifted and my sister and I saw the gift for both of us to share: all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books-special hardback copies were under the tree for my sister and me. We tore into them. They are books that I have loved, our kids have loved, and that have provided many happy memories for three generations-my mom, my sister and me, and my kids.
Giving a gift that both makes a memory and lasts a long time can be simple. A good or meaningful read aloud that can be enjoyed more than once will strengthen the memory and the parent-child bonds if you read it together. If you attach a fun experience, it makes the gift even more special and memorable. Here are some ideas:
- Read or give a book from the American Girl Doll series. (I know, the dolls are exorbitantly expensive. Maybe if you give the doll it could be a gift from Grandma?:) But reading the books that go with the doll, and even visiting the American Girl Place in Chicago for a day would make a very memorable birthday gift.
- Less expensive but still fun: Read Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman and let the birthday child invite seven friends over for cupcake decorating. A gift could be cooking related.
- Related to cooking: Have a pizza party with family or friends! Make individual pizzas. Before the experience, read Pizza! A Slice of History by Greg Pizzoli or A Pizza With Everything On It by Kyle Scheele with your child. Don't feel like having a cooking experience? The Storygalorey Art Club offers a fun video making a pizza art project, as well as a growing library of lots of other easy at-home projects.
- Here's another art gift idea: Read any of the Katie series by James Mayhew, and then visit an art museum. Complete the gift with the gift of art lessons: Storygalorey has both in person and online art experiences your kids will love! Sign up here.
And here is my gift to you--a list of birthday-themed picture books you and your child might enjoy. Download booklist now
Happy celebrating-and may all your birthday memories be happy!
Jennifer
Want to inspire your child to create? Get your free Family Art Calendar which will give you 30 ideas for easy art projects for kids to do at home, and includes a few of my favorite picture books to spark their creativity.
