All she needs to know she’ll learn in kindergarten
When Tacy turned four, we had a party here at home with a few of her friends and a bouncy castle in the backyard. The kids ate huge slabs of ice cream cake and bounced until we thought they’d throw up. It was fairly low-key.
And then there were the presents. Lots and lots of presents.
When she turned five, we had a party at Michael’s Arts and Crafts Store with a few of her friends. The kids made treasure boxes and ate cupcakes. Again, not a huge production.
But again, there were the presents. Lots and lots of presents.
Now she’s turning six. Apparently for kindies, it’s de rigeur to invite the entire class to the birthday party.
(Which means I’m sure as hell not having it HERE again.)
Fair enough – we’ll invite all umpteen kids, plus all of her other friends who aren’t in her class. That’s roughly two dozen kids, so we’ll have to outsource the fun and order a sheet cake from the supermarket bakery.
But the thought of twenty-four new Barbies or twenty-four new Webkinz or twenty-four new Polly Pocket playsets is more than my clutter-averse, newborn-addled mind can handle. More toys that I’ll have to nag Tacy to pick up – sounds like fun for both of us!
I have a better idea. We’re going to have a birthday party donation drive.
Instead of bringing presents, we’ll ask the kids to bring non-perishable foods, baby care and personal care items. Tacy and CJ can decorate a big cardboard box with paint and crayons and stickers. And then our whole family will take it to a local shelter that needs these items.
Because as generous as birthday party gift-giving may be, we really don’t need any new toys. But we can all use a lesson in sharing, even those of us who graduated kindergarten long ago.
——————————
What are you doing to save, share, or simplify? Write a post about it today for this week’s PBN Blog Blast, sponsored by Zwaggle. You could win a gift card to giggle or Patagonia!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:57 am
[...] All She Needs to Know She’ll Learn in Kindergarten [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 9:56 am
That is a great idea! I got lucky, my kids were born during the Christmas break from school and summer break from school. No huge parties to deal with.
justmylife’s last blog post..A guide to not look like a complete DORK!
March 14th, 2008 at 10:16 am
We have been down the invite-everyone in the class route and it is old and tiresome. This past year when N turned 6, we invited 5 friends and they went to a rock climing gym and it was a blast.
When one of his classmates had a party at Pump it Up, she had a donation drive. I was amazed that so many people chose to ignore her request and brought presents instead of items she had requested for a no-kill shelter for which she and her mother volunteer. Also, their treats were a plant to take home and plant outside and a small gourd to decorate. I personally loved it. We are running out of idea for unique toys that I think the parents would appreciate – not the usual transformer, bionicle or whatever.
Good luck! I want to hear the results. I wonder if Colorado may be a bit more into this than Oklahoma proved to be.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:54 am
That is excellent! I have the same issue with jun … I mean generous gifts. Just minutes ago I agreed to take Josie and one friend to the Backyardigans stage show in lieu of a party. whoo hoo!!
Catherine’s last blog post..Birthday hand-wringing
March 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
That is a terrific idea. We did something similar last year for my son’s birthday. We asked everyone to bring one kids’ book – we donated them and felt great about it.
Alana’s last blog post..Saving, Sharing & Simplifying
March 14th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
FABULOUS IDEA. I did try to do this with my daughter’s birthday and about half the people STILL came with presents. But it’s worth the effort. I mean, what do you do with all that stuff?!
the mama bird diaries’s last blog post..deep purple
March 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
We tried this with our oldest and you know what happened? People brought both the donation AND a gift. I hope you have better luck with it!
tori’s last blog post..Kids Equal Love
March 14th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I’d love to try that approach but I bet my kids would revolt.
Heather’s last blog post..The Third One Gets the Shaft
March 14th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
You are so thoughtful. The world needs more people like you.
I know what you mean though about the gifts…too much stuff all at once to find little spots for. And we’re all out of room so there isn’t going to be a party this year. My son will turn 6 over spring break so I’m hoping he won’t notice the lack of a party…..
March 14th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I’ll be eager to hear how this goes – it’s a great idea!!! I suppose if people choose to still bring gifts you could just donate those too of course.
Great post!
Annette – the party lady’s last blog post..Explore and More Party – Fun Activities and Games
March 14th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
That sounds like a great idea.
Jerseygirl89’s last blog post..Haiku Friday – A President
March 14th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
What a great idea! When we’ve invited a whole lot of kids we usually write “No gifts are necessary” on the invite. Because, manipulative as it may seem, my kids (who know that they are “supposed” to get gifts at their parties) will still get at least a couple, but not everyone will bring one. OR they will bring a smaller, more “token” gift. Maybe next time we’ll do a donation instead though. I think even my semi-greedy kindergartener could get behind that.
Stimey’s last blog post..He’s Coming Along
March 14th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Brilliant! What an absolutely fabulous idea! Do you think it’s too early to start the “giveaway” theme at age 1?
Turtle Traipse’s last blog post..Rabid Parents
March 15th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Hi,
Great idea! I hope it works. We have always explicitly asked for no gifts, “No gifts, please. Your presence is present enough…”
We recently went to a 4-yr-old’s birthday party and the mom had written on the invite “Instead of a gift, please bring a wrapped book appropriate for kids aged 3 to 5. Each kid will go home with a new book!”
They had a musical storyteller at the party, and at some point, the children were asked to get the book they brought and come sit in a circle. Then they passed the books around the circle until the music stopped and the book they were holding was theirs. (The storyteller made sure no one had their own book and the mom brought extras for younger siblings, etc.)
The kids seemed to like it, though I’m not sure how something like this would go over with older kids.
Have fun!!
Stacy’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: Travel Companion
March 15th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
That is a great idea. Teaches the kids such a great lesson too. My dad and step mom did a similar thing for their wedding reception.
But if I was 6, I’d probably think you were the meanest mom in the world. LOL. You are a brave lady, depriving a birthday girl of her presents. Good luck.
Karen’s last blog post..Wordzzle and Award
March 16th, 2008 at 12:42 am
It’s a great idea and good to get them into it at a young age!
We did this with my 4th-grader last year and collected items for the animal shelter. I was amazed at the haul he was able to take in and it made him feel very good to bring it to the shelter and drop it off. A good lesson, indeed!
And can I just say that she looks so cute with that lollipop stick in her mouth!
Carrie’s last blog post..The Switch
March 16th, 2008 at 4:24 am
I’m a NO GIFTS PLEASE person!!
There’s already enough crap in my house as it is!!
We just had a party for my 1 year old, my 3 year old and me…..We had all 3 sets of grandparents over and 1 aunt….no friends or the like and GOOD GRIEF all the gifts!!!
my MIL even got a gift for my 4 year old too!!!!
I’d wanted to say no gifts but Dad decided our kids needed some new play thins……….silly old man.
Mightymom’s last blog post..survey says…..
March 16th, 2008 at 8:24 am
We don’t go the donation route for the gift, however, after a party before they can take the toys out of the wrappers, they go through the ones they already have, and donate those to a worthy cause. Today my son is giving his dinosaur collection to church and my daughter is giving her Barbie one.
Dayna’s last blog post..Reason #247 Why I Love My Children
March 16th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
That is the worst thing about having a birthday party… the over abundance of presents… I like your plan.
susiej’s last blog post..When Toys Become Real, like Velveteen
March 16th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Word. Toy purges are awesome stress relievers. Amen.
motherbumper’s last blog post..I’m glad to be bad
March 16th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Someone else did the same thing recently but ended up getting a lot of flack for doing so because every little person needs 197 Barbies. Did you get crap for it as well or were people respectful and understanding of your decision? Just curious.
Heather B.’s last blog post..No more sauce
March 17th, 2008 at 6:41 am
[...] loved this great kid’s birthday party idea that I read over the weekend on the blog MotherGooseMouse (cute name [...]
March 17th, 2008 at 8:55 am
I totally am in love with this idea and plan on doing it in the future.
mamatulip’s last blog post..A hint of magic
March 17th, 2008 at 9:36 am
We invite all the girls from the class, luckily not the whole class-my daughter is in first grade, and in CO too. We also go through old toys before a bday to give away to “make room” for the new stuff but I’m really liking the toy drive idea.
Also, the moms of the class have agreed to ban the “goody bags” for the guests of the party. SO glad about that.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Oh, and can I recommend the Jeffco Action Center? Great organization and they have a “Santa Shop” for needy families at Christmas time.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I love that idea! LOVE it.
the new girl’s last blog post..I’ll Call It ‘Ask The Internets Week’
March 17th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
That. Is. Brilliant.
Am totally stealing this and Thank you very much.
Sus’s last blog post..Wanna Be
March 18th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
What a fantastic idea! I hope it goes well and people really bring things to donate!
I also love the idea of a craft party at Michaels!
caramama’s last blog post..My Memory Is Not That Good
March 18th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Awesome idea! We have had the same conundrum for Declan. I think we may borrow your idea!
Aimee Greeblemonkey’s last blog post..Siley Tings
March 30th, 2008 at 7:06 am
My daughter attended a party where each child was supposed to bring a gift for a gift exchange ($10 limit). That way, the birthday girl still got one present, and so did everyone else. And, no need for goody bags!
We’ve been to the donation parties, too, and many people did still bring a gift, but most did not. I say go for it.
mrs t’s last blog post..Friday Five