Making Birthdays Memorable: Simple Traditions with Lasting Impact
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If our kids grow up remembering one thing about their birthday, we hope that their birthday is more than just parties and presents. We hope they grow up knowing their birthday is a celebration of their growth, personalities, and the joy they bring to our lives. We strive to make each birthday special, filled with love and intention. In honor of our youngest daughter’s birthday, we wanted to share two cherished traditions we keep to celebrate our kids’ birthdays in simple yet meaningful ways.
The Birthday Book Tradition
One of our favorite birthday traditions involves having all the guests at the kids'birthday party sign a book. This isn’t your typical guest book; it’s an actual storybook. We pick a book that ties into the party theme, is relevant to their age, or is birthday-themed. The last books we've used are Walt Disney's Cinderella - A Little Golden Book for our older daughter's Cinderella party and Happy Birthday from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle for our youngest daughter's first birthday.
To encourage guests to write in the books, we set up a picture frame with a sign next to the book. The sign includes prompts like:
Here was the Walt Disney’s Cinderella book with the sign for guests to write in the book!
Share a special memory or moment.
Write a note of encouragement or love.
Offer a heartfelt prayer or blessing.
Include a favorite Bible verse or inspirational quote.
Our kids, though still young, love hearing the notes from those they love most. As our kids grow older, we know this tradition will become even more treasured, providing a keepsakes they can look back on. To keep this tradition simple, consider using a book you already have at home—perhaps your kid's favorite storybook.
Mark and I embraced this tradition because it allows us to bless our children with words from those closest to them. Unlike many birthday gifts that are eventually forgotten or discarded, this book filled with words of encouragement and blessings is something they can keep for life. The birthday book is special and meaningful for us and, eventually, for them. Plus, it's an inexpensive and simple way to involve even the less vocal family members who can express their feelings in writing.
The Birthday Interview Tradition
If you’re interested in how we got started with the Birthday Interview, we have a whole blog post that you can read here.
Another tradition we cherish is the birthday interview. When our children are too young to answer for themselves, we fill out the interview based on our observations of their likes, dislikes, favorites, and new skills. As they grow older, they answer the questions themselves, and we record their responses exactly as they say them. Sometimes, we add our notes in a different color to provide a fuller picture.
These interviews typically include questions about their favorite things, activities they enjoy, and new skills they've learned. It's a wonderful way to capture their unique personalities and the changes from year to year. We store these interviews in a special storage bin for each child, along with their birthday books and other important items. To simplify this tradition, you can create your own interview on paper and store it in a dedicated folder or binder.
Mark particularly enjoys the more intentional questions we ask during these interviews. These questions help our children understand their hearts and reflect on what has impacted them over the past year. It's a simple yet profound way to capture the small and significant moments of their growth.
These traditions might seem simple, but they hold deep meaning for our family. These traditions allow us to celebrate our children in a personal and intentional way, creating memories that we will cherish for years to come. If you’re looking for ways to make your child’s birthday special, consider starting with a meaningful book and a fun interview. These small acts of love and attention can make a big impact.
