As a kid, my two siblings and I spent time with the Stantons, a large family nearby, who threw the coolest birthday celebrations…
Their mother, Heather, always greeted my siblings and me at their lively home with a warm smile and a “Come on in!” She embodied the ’90s granola mom archetype. Every time we visited, she was busy creating something: freshly baked wheat bread, homemade oat milk, or strips of fruit leather. We knew Lays, Oreos, or Goldfish wouldn’t be found on their kitchen counter.
There was just one exception: birthday cereal.
On every child’s birthday, Mr. and Mrs. Stanton drove the birthday child to the store to select any cereal of their choice. Fruit Loops, Cap’n Crunch, Cookie Crisp, Fruity Pebbles, you name it. Then it was brought home to share with their eager siblings.
When I found out about this tradition as a child, I thought it was the most unique and exciting way to be celebrated.
Ella with pan dulce on her first and fifth birthdays.
So, 20 years later, when I was arranging my first daughter Ella’s first birthday bash, I decided to start our own tradition. Instead of singing to her with a cake, we placed her first birthday candle into a vibrant pink concha, a Mexican sweet treat, then delighted our guests with a selection of pan dulce, or Mexican pastries. Everyone was thrilled, and savoring the leftovers with hot coffee the next morning was the perfect reward after hosting a children’s party. Since that time, we’ve featured pan dulce at all of Ella’s birthdays, and she eagerly anticipates it every year.
Another enjoyable family birthday custom? Photo garlands! Photographer Alex Steele creates these for her children on their 10th birthdays. “When each of my daughters turned 10, I printed numerous photos, attached them to ribbons, and displayed them all over the house,” she mentioned. “Seeing them wake up and find their images everywhere is one of my favorite memories. Now I plan to do the same for my boys’ 10th birthdays.”
How adorable is that? I’d love to keep this idea for when my kids turn 21, cutting out pictures from baby, toddler, school-aged, tween, and teenage years. Sob!
Now, your turn: does your family have unique ways of celebrating birthdays? Maybe it involves dining at the same restaurant, or the birthday child wearing a crown? I’d love to hear about it!
P.S. An awesome gift for kids on their birthday and 12 readers share their favorite birthday experiences.
(Photo by Vradiy Art/Stocksy.)
