by Natasha L. Kohlhoff Polak

Created on: June 27, 2010   Last Updated: June 28, 2010

Everybody likes to be recognized for their achievements and special moments in their lives.  Parties can be an easy way to do this, but can also be expensive (not to mention stressful, depending on the guest list).  Parties are not the only way to make a child feel special!  Sharing in a meal as a family (or with close friends) sans a party "per se" would be a good alternative if you all enjoy food.  To do that, you don't need streamers, balloons, an elaborate cake, or even entertainment.  In fact, half the time, the decorations are only used a few times, get torn up, and are wasted expenses on your part.  And while a cake is a yummy treat to have every so often, you don't have to make it too fancy - bake your own or have a different kind of dessert like an apple pie or brownies.  Spending time with your family and friends with some music or a movie for everyone to watch can easily provide entertainment.

Children know they are loved by ACTIONS, rather than THINGS.  So in lieu of having any sort of informal get-together, why not just have a picnic in the park?  Or visit your child's favorite place for a few hours?  Such activities like that provide you with quality time together, which is what your child will remember most.  Sure, you can throw in a gift or two, and if you're lucky they'll last throughout childhood and become a sentimental token of your love for him or her, but it isn't paramount to ensuring your child's happiness!  Again, time together trumps anything else you can ever think of doing, so don't feel like you have to go overboard with gifting as your way of showing love.  In fact, it can easily do just the opposite, or worse - turn your child into a spoiled adult who doesn't have a healthy outlook on life.  There are already too many people with that mentality, so why add your child's generation to the mix?

In short, you'll know that whatever you do in love, your child will appreciate it.  There is nothing more satisfying than seeing his or her face light up at being remembered!  Parents who know their children well will be able to think of more than just having a birthday party.  And without having to worry about your child EXPECTING a party, you do yourselves all a favor.

Learn more about this author, Natasha L. Kohlhoff Polak.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.