Reading · Dash of Delight

I love celebrating, all of it. The big things, the small things, and especially the birthdays. But if I’m being honest, my love of celebrating also comes with a little self-induced panic: too many options, too much inspiration, and at least one Pinterest rabbit hole I can’t climb back out of.

So when Laurens turned one, I made a decision. Instead of reinventing the wheel every single year, I'd choose a few special things (the same few things!) we could return to again and again. Sure, we could add to them some years, throw in a trip or a party, but regardless, these things would stay the same. These would be our birthday traditions, where the memories are made.

Because that’s what made birthdays magical when I was little. My dad made a homemade banner. My mom baked a homemade cake. And breakfast was served in bed on the red “You Are Special” plate (I love this one too). It wasn’t always super fancy. It was ours, and that’s exactly why every year felt like something extra special.

I wanted that same feeling for my kids. So a few years ago I picked out a handful of sweet things we could reuse year after year, and truly, it has taken so much pressure off. Like pulling out the special ornaments at Christmas, these little touches have become their own set of treasures. The princess parties and superhero themes are coming (and I cannot wait), but no matter the theme, these six traditions stay the same. They’re our baseline, and I love that for us!

So here’s the rhythm we come back to every year…

Party hats!! I love a party hat, they are just so silly and fun. We all put them on during cake and candles and there are always giggles all around. When each of the kids turned one I had a special crown made from Etsy, which kicked off the hat tradition and now, well, we are just party hat people!

We light these number candle holders on every birthday, kids and adults included. There’s something special about them, truly an heirloom! A quick tip from an experienced friend: order two sets. One day you’ll need two of the same number (a 22, an 11, a double birthday) and you’ll be so glad you have them ready! Trust me, scoop them up. Note: They take skinny candles, like these.

The moment our reusable birthday banner goes up, the whole house knows what day it is. It’s simple, it’s sweet, and it instantly turns the day into a party! The repetition is the magic. (Ours is old but here is a similar one.)

Each year I choose a birthday-themed book, and we pull them all back out during their birthday month to read together. It’s such a cozy way to stretch the celebration past a single day. We love this one (you can actually blow the candles out!) and this one, both are favorites in our house!

I order balloons from a small Etsy shop in the prettiest colors, and it’s the easiest way I know to make everything feel festive in an instant. And here’s my BEST mom tip: always keep a helium tank on hand. I get mine at Target, and it has saved me more times than I can count. Worth every penny!

I saved my favorite for last, and I will fully admit I am a little too passionate about this one. My mom baked a homemade cake every single year growing up, and I’ve carried that tradition straight into our house! There is just something about a slightly imperfect, made-with-love cake. I plan it, I overthink it, I probably stress everyone out a little, and I would not have it any other way! (Here’s our favorite recipe.)

That’s the whole rhythm, six small things, repeated: The hats, the candles, the banner, the books, the balloons, the cake. None of them are overly complicated, and that’s the point. They’re the parts I don’t have to reinvent, which leaves me free to enjoy the parts that change: the cake flavor, the theme, the way they/we grow a little bigger/older each year.

Here’s to sweet birthdays filled with love, cake, and a few traditions that make every single year feel like coming home.