At last, I can finally post about little lady's 5th Birthday! The past months had been eventful and challenging, I've lost touched of the writer in me; I couldn't write! So, now that I feel inspired to write again; here's a late post about Isha's 5th Birthday party. I included pictures from her past birthday celebrations. I always have limited budget for Isha's birthdays, so; I have always been forced to work on a tight budget for her themed birthday parties. I am sure you'll find economic ideas to give your own kid's birthday party a fancy touch without costing you so much from this post. I'll throw in some tips here and there, but first here's the history of why Isha's birthday can't just be the ordinary pancit and puto day (yet!)!
The History
Each year, I try my best to give her a simple birthday party that she will remember when she grows up. This started when I failed to bring to life my awesome plans for her 1st Birthday. We were renting an apartment then, and I was hoping I could take my freelance business on to the next level when 'life happened'. I got broke, returned home to live with my parents again, and the rest was history. To cut the story short, her 1st Birthday turned into an ordinary day of bananaque and spaghetti. We all loved the food (My Nanay saved the day! If not for her; Isha wouldn't even have spaghetti!), but it wasn't exactly what I hoped for her 1st Birthday. I was very ideal as a new mom. It was a heartbreaking experience for me.
Over the years, I've learned my lesson to prepare for her birthday ahead of time, and to deal with the cards I've been given. I learned not to make last minute preparations and to find ways to make the most of the little money I have. Parenting is a never-ending learning process. It is my 'course' and making little lady's little parties happen is one of my favorite subjects! You don't believe me? See pictures below!
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| Isha's 2nd Birthday at Trinoma. I worked in a call center then, so; I didn't have time to prepare for it. We decided to just go to the mall and have fun! |
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| Isha's 3rd Birthday Minnie Mouse Themed Party. Believe it or not, these pictures were taken from a Canon camera (that I didn't know how to use then!) |
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| Isha's 4th Birthday Butterfly Themed Party. She wanted a Jollibee party that I can't afford, so; I got creative and requested this Jollibee branch to serve our bulk order of spaghetti, yum and coke float on the building's second floor (which they don't use in the morning. We got to enjoy the space for 3 hours! Thank you, Jollibee! |
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| Isha's 5th Birthday Vintage Paper Doll Party. I got obsessed with prettifying it; I didn't work for a couple of days. I made the banner myself, flags for the hotdogs, etc. Everything had to be in vintage rose to go with the theme! :) |
Her birthday parties were always themed (except for her 2nd birthday). To me, it is easier to prepare for them that way. Preparing for a kid's birthday can be chaotic, so; I try to use themes to glue things up. Things look good together when they go together, too. Themes need not be cartoons. They can be anything you want from colors to many other beautiful things like butterflies and paper dolls!
To save time (and avoid stress); I start planning out what to do on her birthday weeks before the party. I look for inspiration on the Internet, list down the things I need, where to buy them from, etc. I am good at this, but not on preparing budget for the party. I heard you gotta prepare funds for a kid's birthday at the start of the year (Who does that?!), but I prepare funds for Isha's birthday days before her party. Haha! Budgeting for birthdays and daily expenses is something that I still need to work on. Personal finance is not a subject I'm good at. Not even basic Math!
It is also important that you build up your kid's excitement as her birthday approaches. I usually talk to Isha about what she would like for her birthday as I plan for it. She gets excited about 'possibly' getting what she wants. If I can't afford to buy her the gift she wants; I try to make her equally interested in something else (One that I can afford, and I know she'll enjoy, too). Isha is a smart little lady, she gets it instantly when I talk her through something. She knows she can't always get what she wants, but all I want for her is to be happy, so; what I'll get her will make her happy-- and that is almost the same thing as getting what she wants!
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| We got her hamsters for her 2nd birthday! She woke up seeing them, and she knew it's a special day! |
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| Birthday supplies; check! Excitement; check na check! |
Finally, I try to make little lady's birthday parties memorable. I'm big on memories. I take lots of pictures, and always invite people we love to her parties. The latter is a surefire way to win my little lady's heart, so; I keep a list of our favorite people that we invite every year.
Gone are the days when only a few people can afford to throw a nice birthday party. A kid's birthday party now is no longer about how much you spend on them, but how much time and effort you put in them to make them special and to make your kid happy. It's been said over and over again, but it's true that at the end of the day; it is the thought that counts!
BTW, this year's birthday lesson for me is to relax. I got tired preparing for her birthday; I looked like a mess. I can't post the video of little lady blowing her birthday candle because I looked really bad there! So, yeah; next year I'll do better. I'm Relaxed Wahmmy, after all. Relax, Wahmmy!
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