Creating Special Birthday Memories

By Rana DiOrio, Founder, Little Pickle Press

Maybe it’s because my March 12^th birthday represents a mini-milestone this year, but I’ve been very nostalgic about the happy moments in my childhood and consciously creating them for my children.

When I was a child, my mother used to bring in forsythia branches three weeks before my birthday. Some years they were encased in ice! Over the course of the three weeks, the beautiful yellow blossoms would pop one by one until they were in full bloom on the occasion of my birthday. Until I was old enough to have parties with my friends, my parents would host our entire extended family for a big celebratory dinner. My mom would make a crown reflecting my age, and she always made her signature strawberry shortcake.

As I grew older, my parents hosted friends parties at our home. They always had themes: Clowns, Ice Cream Cones, Mickey Mouse, Rainbows, Winnie the Pooh, etc. The house would be decorated in banners, streamers, and balloons, and my Uncle Frank would make a beautiful centerpiece. Here is a picture of the Victorian themed party...

Then there were the sleepless night sleepover parties . . .

And then there were the “going to the movies with a few friends” parties. I remember on my 10^th birthday, a few of my friends and I saw the original Freaky Friday starring my idol, Jodie Foster. (OK, now you math whizzes may calculate how young I’ll be this year.)

I replicated a similar model with my children. I started with family celebrations at home. Since the kids’ favorite meal is my meatballs and pasta, and it just so happens to be a big hit with our family and friends, that’s what I would serve for dinner. We’d import my mom from RI to make the strawberry shortcake, of course...

At about age 5 (earlier for my youngest, of course), the kids were old enough to have a party with their friends. We’ve enjoyed outings to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, cooking adventures In The Kitchen, tumbling at SF Gymnastics, and being crafty at Doodlebug to name a few...

I think what’s most important is the joy we share with our children. Long after the sugar buzz wears off and the birthday toys are cast aside, it is the laughter and happiness that the children will remember.

I have a friend who does something special for his children’s birthdays. Each year he writes them a detailed, handwritten letter that chronicles the events he has shared with that child the previous year, expresses the pride he feels for the child’s various accomplishments during that year, and foreshadows some of his hopes and dreams for the year ahead. It is a time-consuming and precious gift of love he gives to each of his children on their birthdays.

How do you celebrate your children’s birthdays? What is most meaningful to them? And to you? Please share your thoughts with us.