Oh the Joy of Birthdays! #birthdayscount
I love celebrating birthdays, especially for children how about you?
Call me crazy but I love planning birthday parties and events for my family, especially for my daughter who turns 14 next month (September). There’s just something about the joy you see on children’s faces when you bring that birthday cake or cupcakes in front them lit with candles, when they open their presents and all the fun they have with their friends. They are truly moments of joy and as a parent I love watching them happen and knowing I helped to make it happen.
My daughter the one being held and her friends for her spa party 🙂
The funny thing is growing up I only had a few birthday parties with friends, usually it was a family celebration. Don’t get me wrong though I never once felt I was missing out on something, I always enjoyed being spoiled by family on what I considered my special day. However, my daughter since she was just a toddler she would squeal with delight and not be able to sleep the night before in anticipation of all her friends coming over for her birthday party. So whether it was the professional event planner in me or just being a mom I really got into planning her parties and coming up with fun ideas and themes for the kids.
Memory board for one of her parties for everyone to sign (see further down for the finished board)
Whether I’ve had a company come in and do a spa birthday party for my daughter or keeping it simple and having a birthday movie night it all takes energy. Sometimes it’s just finding the time to go and buy the paper plates to ordering or making the cakes, we need some energy to get things moving along. However it’s all worth it as I think birthdays are important to celebrate whether it’s an intimate gathering with your family or a fun kid’s birthday party. It seems to that according to the 2015 Enbridge Birthday survey 80% of Canadians agree that with life getting more complicated it’s even more important to celebrate life’s simple moments, like a birthday!
Can you guess what the theme was for this birthday? Animal lovers unite LOL the cupcakes were very tasty for my daughter’s 12th birthday party.
I found the following results interesting too and for me having a birthday cake (or cupcakes is a must 🙂 )
The most important birthday tradition to Canadians is the birthday cake and candles (29%). Rounding out the top five were:
- Having food/meal with family (18%)
- Food/dinner/eating out (16%)
- Birthday wishes/singing happy birthday/phone call (6%)
- Being with friends (5%)
In fact most (63%) of Canadians think that having a cake makes your birthday more special, I’d have to agree.
Life does take energy but it’s totally worth celebrating those moments. Check out this wonderful video from Enbridge.
No matter how much energy and time I’ve put into birthday planning, we’ve always had fun and to me that’s what counts, it’s a time for making memories, spending time with family and friends and just celebrating.
Here are some of our favourite birthday party ideas
Keep it simple or go elaborate it’s up to you just have some birthday fun, there’s always lots of smiles and cake to go around 🙂
Oh and before I forget here’s the finished memory board I mentioned above. You can also check out our tween and teen birthday party ideas if you want in more detail.
“Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Enbridge and I received. Compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.”
Linda Manns says
October 2, 2015 at 9:19 AMI believe birthday cakes are a must for a birthday. I love celebrating the life of family and friends. I have a son who passed away in an accident. To this day I still celebrate his life and the joy he brought into mine. Thank you so much for sharing this special day
Carol L says
September 2, 2015 at 6:04 PMWhat great ideas. A Spa theme is wonderful for the girls. Love the cupcake ideas. It takes quite a bit of emotion strength as well. You’re creating such fabulous memories for your daughter as well. Thanks for sharing.
Carol L
Darlene Demell says
August 25, 2015 at 1:26 PMBirthdays are fun for the kids but when you hit my age, you like to try and forget. lol I enjoy seeing my grandchildren on their birthdays.
Judy Bradley says
August 24, 2015 at 8:07 PMMy children’s big thing for their birthday was to pick their cake. I love baking their often unusual requests! We never had a lot of money, so the cake was the main highlight.
heather says
August 24, 2015 at 6:48 PMWhat a super cute and fun idea thanks for sharing this one it made me smile.
Tim Anderson says
August 24, 2015 at 3:07 PMThe cupcakes are awesome. Here in the states we like to have a meal together for birthday, followed by cake.
Amanda Schaeffer says
August 24, 2015 at 3:01 PMThose cupcakes are adorable my daughter has a birthday coming up and she would love those thank youn for sharing
Jennifer Odom says
August 24, 2015 at 2:49 PMI love the memory board and I agree, the cake does make it special!
Heather Hollands says
August 24, 2015 at 2:10 PMThose cupcakes are adorable. I miss my kids being that age where they liked birthday parties.
Krista M says
August 24, 2015 at 1:36 PMThat memory board is one of the best birthday ideas ever. What a beautiful, sentimental way to showcase the guest’s thoughts for the birthday girl (or guy). Something to cherish forever.
Julie says
August 24, 2015 at 12:56 PMThe cupcakes are adorable! Bet it was an awesome birthday party!
Jerry Marquardt says
August 24, 2015 at 12:44 PMI liked the chocolate paw prints on top. My nephew would eat them all up. What a great idea!
Kristin K says
August 24, 2015 at 11:33 AMTalk about changing! I had my 40th birthday this year, and my nephew will be turning 4 in a couple of weeks! He will also be starting his first day of Junior Kindergarten next month! We couldn’t be more proud….and, excited! My mother, my sister, and I will all be walking him to school on his first day!!!
debbie campbell says
August 24, 2015 at 10:43 AMI love the idea of a memory board. I always try to make my family’s birthdays special. I did not have a cake for my birthday this year, since it was just me and my husband, although I did eat a cupcake!
Terri S. says
August 24, 2015 at 9:27 AMI love your animal cupcakes and the memory board is a fantastic idea. We love to make fun birthday parties for our 2 grandkids and their cousins. My youngest granddaughter loved the pirate theme so much for her 3rd birthday that she insisted on doing another pirate party for her 4th birthday as well. Luckily, we created a lot of new games and treats the second time around.
lisaa says
August 24, 2015 at 7:55 AMThe spa themed slumber party is a good idea. Here, we aren’t cake eaters. For my birthday I’m happy with a good steak.
Sandra Watts says
August 23, 2015 at 10:03 PMHappy Birthday! Enjoy your spa party! Love the cupcakes!
Nena Sinclair says
August 23, 2015 at 9:58 PMWow, looks like a great success! And lots of fun, too! 🙂
M.Clark says
August 23, 2015 at 7:03 PMI love that you even have a treat for the dog. It really fits in with the party theme.
Jessica Cyr says
August 23, 2015 at 6:37 PMThis is awesome , looks like so much fun ! 🙂
Susan Smith says
August 23, 2015 at 4:49 PMThose cupcakes are so cute. The memory board is a great idea.
Jasmine P says
August 23, 2015 at 4:33 PMWe love cupcakes! Especially red velvet ones 🙂
Sophia,M.,McConnery says
August 23, 2015 at 3:27 PMAlready commented!
Christy Caldwell says
August 23, 2015 at 2:05 PMI love doing birthday parties for my boys. Those music themed cupcakes would be a huge hit with my 14 year old.
Sohair says
August 23, 2015 at 10:14 AMI do cake and I make fingers or some mini dishes that everyone likes plus watch movies and I would like to switch it
lisa says
August 23, 2015 at 8:58 AMBirthdays are for kids. I like to forget mine when it rolls around.After a certain age, kids are too old for the whole birthday party thing. They’d rather celebrate with friends than at home with the parents around.
Carol Nine says
August 23, 2015 at 8:45 AMBirthday parties are such fun for everyone. Our family always has a big party for each family member’s birthday.
Brandy Monday says
August 23, 2015 at 1:01 AMGreat ideas!
Wes says
August 22, 2015 at 8:46 PMTotally going to do this for my youngest daughter when she turns 8 or 9.
desiree says
August 22, 2015 at 8:20 PMwell i now when we were kid we only had 4 bd after 10 and my grand ma all way ,made the cakes and then i did cupcake cake for party and they w erer great idea a nd better
Robin P says
August 22, 2015 at 6:56 PMLike you, I never had big birthday parties growing up, but I always loved planning parties for my daughter and now my granddaughter. This spa party looks like something she would love!
belinda bell says
August 22, 2015 at 4:49 PMI love giving birthday parties for people in my family. it’s a great way to get everybody together
Julie Simpson says
August 22, 2015 at 3:52 PMMy grandson Diego’s Birthday party is tomorrow and although growing up I loved home Birthday parties the kids now want to go to germ pits! So I’ll be covered in a plastic bag slathered in purell and hope for the best that the cake is ok!
lisa says
August 22, 2015 at 3:23 PMKids birthdays are fun. I try to forget mine. My dear grandson called me on my last, and wished me a happy 48th. That put a smile on my face. Although I think he may have been prompted.
Kristin K says
August 22, 2015 at 12:12 PMI love birthdays! I just had my 40th this year, and although it wasn’t a big blowout event like some 40th birthday parties are…it was just as special, because I got to spend it with the people who mean the most to me! My nephew helped me blow out my candles, and my mom got a great picture of it!!!
And, my nephew turns 4 next month (September), and we are going to have a small ceremony on his birthday. But, then on the weekend, he will be having an amazing party with all of his friends that he’s grown up with!!!
Tricia Hope says
August 22, 2015 at 11:36 AMSo much joy and thought goes into birthday preparations.Wish more thought went into family planning.My son and daughter are 1 day(and 5 years) apart
Ina Fowler says
August 22, 2015 at 10:26 AMLove Your’e daily Inspiration & Happy Birthday Party’s Are The Best !!
robyn donnelly says
August 22, 2015 at 10:22 AMLove the cupcakes and the pretty robes the girls wore. Looks like they had a lot of fun.
RANDY FULGHAM says
August 22, 2015 at 10:14 AMi enjoy all 7 of my grand-kids birthday celebrations, they are a total trip
Holly Thomas says
August 22, 2015 at 9:57 AMI like the cupcakes, they would be great for a bake sale!
DANIELLE WILLIAMS says
August 22, 2015 at 7:18 AMtoo cute! I love parties especially birthday and cake is an essential part of them!
Judy Bradley says
August 22, 2015 at 6:52 AMThe biggest item for my kids’ birthdays was always the cake. They would tell me in advance what kind of a cake they wanted and they were not allowed to see it until the celebration. It was fun creating those cakes! I did a Minecraft Ender Dragon cake for my grandson in March. His dad wanted cupcakes but Ender is composed of brown squares with green tops so I made the regular rectangular pan full of brownies frosted green, cut them and put them on the board slightly apart and then made the dragon on top. Turned out pretty good – he loved it, and that was what was important!
Debbie Loy says
August 22, 2015 at 6:35 AMA very good thing but we just have parties on the big birthdays. (5/13/16) the rest there is always cake and family. For some of the others we may do an overnite with 2-4 guests but not an actual theme type party. Your energy makes me wish I had that much. My kids remember each and every party in detail since they were occasional not regular. Each family celebrates different, your kids have lots to remember and be thankful for.
Wes says
August 21, 2015 at 8:40 PMVery cool. We had a similar party for our eldest daughter when she turned 8.
Haley Cook says
August 21, 2015 at 7:42 PMThese are some great ideas ! Although I have two little boys so nails couldn’t be done.
wendy browne says
August 21, 2015 at 7:02 PMThe signed board is a cute idea.
Betsy Hartmann says
August 21, 2015 at 6:24 PMWhile we always have cake and ice cream, I now feel like I have been wimping out by not going the extra mile and planning parties around a theme. Time to start planning ahead!
Linda Manns says
August 21, 2015 at 6:20 PMI love the sign up board. This will always bring back many memories for her. I love having birthday parties. Thank you so much for sharing
Minta Boggs says
August 21, 2015 at 5:57 PMI love your cupcakes and it looked like a really fun party! Although I have two boys the nail thing wouldn’t work in my house..
loriag says
August 19, 2015 at 5:03 AMI also loved theme birthday party planning. So much fun.
M.Clark says
August 18, 2015 at 7:41 PMYes, I would agree, you can’t have a birthday party and hot serve birthday cake, it is a definite must. I love those cupcakes, very creative.
Sophia,M.,McConnery says
August 18, 2015 at 7:12 PMNeat cupcakes!
JIll H says
August 18, 2015 at 7:12 PMMy Husband & I both just celebrated birthdays. I have to say, love having a cake calls & cards are nice. I think planning for children is the funniest .
Kelly O says
August 18, 2015 at 4:30 PMOh I would say cake is MANDATORY for birthdays 🙂 I am okay with cupcakes too 🙂 My husbands birthday is coming up, I am going to have to start planning what kind of cake 🙂