Ideas for making your child’s winter birthday sparkle amidst the post-Christmas slump
As a rule, birth dates tend to be lower in January and February compared to other months, but anyone with a post-Christmas birthday will tell you the heartbreak of having a watered down celebration compared to your peers whose birthdays fall later in the year. This is why NI4Kids’ Beth Mason has put together 5 essential tips for making winter birthdays special.
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Prioritise the celebration
Children with winter birthdays, namely those in December or January, draw the short straw when it comes to birthday celebrations. People have less money for outings and presents, which, while less important as we age, is a hard lesson to learn for primary-school aged children. To counteract other’s efforts, make the day as special as you can for your child starting from the moment they wake up to when they go to bed. Still surround your child with loved ones on their special day by inviting family members over for some tea and cake or letting them bring a friend for dinner.
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Make a little stretch further
It’s not about mountains of presents or grandiose gestures, a lot of what it takes to make a person feel loved is thoughtfulness. Plan a day of favourites for you child, starting with their favourite breakfast, incorporating their favourite outing, sitting down as a family to watch their favourite film, and rounding it off with their favourite bedtime stories. Any time that you can give them agency throughout the day, let them choose their favourite thing and watch them have the most fun ever
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Throw a party
I know I have just said that people make less effort for winter birthdays but hear me out. You might not be able to plan a garden party complete with outdoor inflatables, but take that party to your local leisure centre or village hall and you won’t be stuck for party goers willing to celebrate the day with the birthday boy or girl. Winter months are cold, often wet, and downright dreary, and the number one thing on any parent’s mind is getting their child out of the house to burn off some energy, preferably somewhere warm that has cake! A birthday present is a small price to pay for a Saturday not spent trailing round the same museum you’ve visited seven times since October.
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Embrace the spirit of winter
Winter makes a great theme for a birthday party – especially Frozen! Decorate using snowflakes and icicles and even combine it with a trip to Dundonald International Ice Bowl to really get into the winter spirit. If your child has passed the Elsa and Anna phase concentrate on making the day as cosy as possible. Think hot chocolates, fairy lights, their favourite snacks, and a tepee living room sleepover.
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Consider a half-birthday celebration
If you feel your child’s birthday is still lacking in sparkle consider a half-birthday celebration exactly six months from their actual birthday. If they are into outdoor activities, plan a fun day out with a picnic involving a second birthday cake or focus on celebrating them while doing warm weather activities. Take the half theme a step further and make them a ‘half’ birthday crown or badge.
