Treehugger - Latest Comments in Birthdays Without Pressure

Re: Birthdays Without Pressure

lorryfach — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 02:04:42 -0000

My favorite toy growing up was a white sheet. It was so versatile! Oftentimes the excess is from being out of touch with what the kids really want. The example in the article was spot on.

Re: Birthdays Without Pressure

Rosie — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:53:15 -0000

One of my biggest fears about having children is how to raise them without all the excess. When I was a child I remember coming back to school after christmas holdiays and all the 6th graders would comapre their haul over the break. How silly! How do you combat a national culture of excess and greed? I guess this site is one step in the right direction.

Re: Birthdays Without Pressure

Erin B — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:55:21 -0000

Yes! Even with twice-yearly toy clean outs and requests for needs (e.g., clothes for growing boys and college fund donations), we're still drowning in toys. And they never play with half of them.

And now that both kids are in school, it's always another birthday party.

This is a great site. We've always done smaller parties, but now I've got great suggestions on gifts. For one birthday party we were invited to, the parents discouraged presents and let everyone know the birthday boy would choose 6 from the ones he received (he was turning 6) and the rest they'd donate to a local charity. We weren't available to go, so I never heard how it turned out, but I applaud their efforts.

Re: Birthdays Without Pressure

Stephanie - Green at Home Mom — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:51:51 -0000

It amazes me the pressure people put on kids' birthday parties. My daughter wanted a "Princess Party" for her 5th birthday, so I told the parents to have their daughters wear princess dresses if they had them already. That was it for the theme.

One of the moms couldn't believe that I hadn't hired a "Princess" to come to the party.

The kids just ran around in their dresses and had a blast. No planned activities, just little girls having a grand time playing. That was plenty enough for one of the girls to call it the best party she'd ever been to. Homemade cake and unthemed plates, which, while still disposable because I wouldn't have enough otherwise, I can keep using when I have that situation again because they aren't limited by a theme. Haven't figured out a better way to handle things than that.

Presents are definitely hard to figure out a way to green. They're so much out of my control. When I give birthday presents to other kids, I focus on active and unusual. I love encouraging kids in their natural desire to run and play.

And of course my daughter's excess toys periodically go to one thrift shop or another. They may as well go for a good cause.

Re: Birthdays Without Pressure

Ailsa Ek — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:04:08 -0000

Wow, that's insane. Whatever happened to the old rule about no more guests than the birthday child is years old? I worry enough about my son having too many toys just from gifts from the grandparents.

Re: Birthdays Without Pressure

greenisfrugal — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:14:26 -0000

Finally! Now maybe some of these people will stop the glaring at me for not buying toys-by-the-ton and actually take my kids to the dare I say "free" park for absurities like fresh air and leg room. Horrible mother that I am!!! :P*