Growing up, my two brothers and I lived down the block with the Stantons, a family of eight who did the coolest things for birthdays…
Their mother, Heather, always greeted my brothers and me in their bustling home with a big smile and a “Come in!” Was welcomed with. She was also the epitome of the 90s granola mom. Whenever we stopped by, she was always preparing a concoction: loaves of homemade wheat bread, jars of oat milk, or long strips of fruit leather. We knew we would never find Lays, Oreos, or goldfish on their kitchen counter.
There was just one exception: birthday cereal.
On each child’s birthday, Mr. and Mrs. Stanton would take the birthday boy or girl to the grocery store, where they had the honor of choosing any cereal they wanted. Froot Loops, Cap’n Crunch, Cookie Crisp, Fruity Pebbles, you name it. They will then bring it home to share with their very excited siblings.
When I learned about this tradition as a child, I thought it was most of Special and exciting way to celebrate.
Ella with Pan Dulce on her first and fifth birthdays.
So, 20 years later, when I was planning my daughter Ella’s first birthday party, I decided to create my own tradition. Instead of singing to her on the cake, we dipped her first birthday candle in bright pink concha, a Mexican sweet bread, then surprised our guests. Pan DulceOr Mexican pastries. Everyone was stoked, and enjoying leftovers with hot coffee the next morning felt like the best reward after hosting a kids’ party. Since then, we’ve served pan dulce at all of Ella’s parties, and she looks forward to it every year.
Another fun family birthday tradition? Photo Garland! photographer alex steele She makes this for her children on their 10th birthday. “When each of my daughters turned 10, I printed out a bunch of pictures, attached them with ribbon and hung them all over the house,” she told me. “Seeing them wake up and walking out the door and seeing their faces everywhere is one of my favorite memories. Now I plan to do the same for my boys on their 10th birthday.”
How cute is he? I’d love to save this idea for when my kids turn 21 and I’ll cross out baby, toddler, school-age, teen, and teen pictures. Sobbing!
Now, your turn: Does your family have special ways of celebrating birthdays? Maybe it’s going to the same restaurant, or wearing a tiara to the birthday child? I want to know!
PS A great birthday gift for kids, and 12 readers share their favorite birthday celebrations.
(Photo by Vradi Art/Stocksy.)
