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Tami,
I couldn't agree with you more! We occasionally do birthday parties (for the
neighbors and family) but it's never an extravagant to-do. We had a friend
who gave a party at the skating rink and paid for skate rental, food, etc.
for 20 kids! She must have taken out a loan! :)
I like the idea of having kids donate mittens, hats, etc. instead of
presents. Since my sons' birthdays are close to Earth day, I may try to
incorporate that into it this year...I'm still thinking. Maybe some type of
volunteer project for themselves and their friends? I'll let you know what I
come up with.
--Karen in WV :)

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In a message dated 9/28/99 11:21:09 AM Central Daylight Time,
Pokerdog70@... writes:

<< I like the idea of having kids donate mittens, hats, etc. instead of
presents. Since my sons' birthdays are close to Earth day, I may try to
incorporate that into it this year...I'm still thinking. Maybe some type of
volunteer project for themselves and their friends? I'll let you know what I
come up with. >>

Karen,
This year we are having a very small celebration. So far we have had
one of the four kids birthdays, and we plan on following the same for each.
First of all I bake a cake from scratch (I use a favorite recipe of the kids
and the taste beats any box cake mix or even a cake from Donut Bank) and
decorate it for the younger ones. We use all of the money (since we don't
have to pay for a party) on the gifts that they choose (they know the amount
that we spend, so they aren't expecting something that is way out of the
price range---causing a dissapointment). We give grandma a few gift ideas
(she also has given them an amount that she will spend). The only other
person that comes is my best friend with her two kids. It is a very small,
intimate gathering with all attention paid to the birthday child. The
weekend of that childs birthday, he or she can have 2 or 3 friends over to
spend the night. Since we have already had "the party", this is just for the
companionship of friends for the birthday child. Sometimes these friends may
opt to bring a gift, but we let them know that it is not necessary. My kids
have really enjoyed doing things this way. Usually the night of the
sleepover is spent playing with all the birthday gifts the child received
from the party of a few days before. Relaxing and yet fun!
Tami