Birthday Party Reboot

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35

Several years ago, my husband and I intentionally scaled back on presents for our children during Christmas and Easter in exchange for being slightly more celebratory on their birthdays. After we explained that Christmas and Easter are holidays about Jesus, our children bought into our logic and were generally happy with the arrangement.

I, too, was perfectly satisfied with this plan until my children were old enough to have friend parties. After our first friend birthday party, I found myself struggling against the tidal wave of additional presents and a fear that we were headed in the wrong direction with birthdays.

After a lot of discussion, my husband and I implemented a “no gifts please” rule for friend parties. We still do fun things, give out little goody bags, and try to find ways to send the kids home pleasantly worn out, but we intentionally shifted the focus onto friendships and away from gifts.

Our kids have gone along without complaint, and they are generally so busy having fun with their friends that they truly don’t miss the presents. As my children get older, I’m slowly shifting them away from friend parties at the local gymnastics studio or bounce-house company and toward birthdays that involve serving others.

To date, my favorite birthday party was the one we threw for my daughter’s fourth birthday at our local humane society. My daughter and her friends toured the shelter, played with kittens, and “helped” groom a dog before finishing the party with eating cupcakes and opening presents that each child brought for the animals. The kids left the party happy, sugared up, and full of stories.

My husband and I are continually trying to tuck the truth of today’s verse into the hearts of our children—that we are often far more blessed when we give than when we receive. We’re always looking for tangible ways to make this truth come to life, especially around holidays and birthdays.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Consider how you might turn your next gift-getting event into a giving event instead.

From the book