Okay, I know you’ve seen them. Those parties where every last detail matches the color scheme or theme. I’ve seen them pinned and repinned on Pinterest.
And, truth be told…I’ve pinned quite a few myself.
But, then a special birthday approaches and I know there is no way our celebration will look Pinterest perfect.
It used to bother me. But lately I’ve been thankful I don’t have to live up to Pinterest-worthy standards and I can instead simply celebrate and enjoy being with my family.
Maybe someday I’ll have the time, resources, and desire to make my parties a little more coordinated than they are now, but I seriously doubt our family parties will ever go viral on Pinterest.
We recently celebrate Eliya’s fifth birthday with no matching paper goods or fancy balloons. We didn’t purchase coordinating gift wrap or plan an elaborate dinner or finger food spread.
Instead we invited family, told them we were having finger foods and dessert, and actually accepted help when they asked if we’d like them to bring something to eat.
We ended up with chicken salad and rolls, two cheese and cracker trays, chips and salsa, two veggie trays, popcorn, cookies, mini cupcakes, cake and ice cream. More than enough with leftovers to prove it!
We didn’t play any planned games. Instead all the cousins watched a movie, talked, and played while the adults caught up and passed around babies.
No one worried about getting to the next item on the schedule.
We sang and snapped photos and enjoyed just being together!
And because things didn’t have to be perfect…
the kids got to help make homemade sprinkles…
and they loved decorating personal snack boxes for popcorn…
and Eliya decorated her own birthday cake, which made her feel like five years old is very grown up indeed 🙂
[Tweet “Letting go of unrealistic expectations gives freedom to try new things and enjoy the process.”]
Does planning a party stress you out? What is one thing you can let go of so you can simply enjoy the occasion? Have you learned to let go of party perfection? I’d love to hear about your experience.
I LOVE this!!!! I am a BIG fan of letting go of the need for perfect birthday parties and a perfect life. I recently did a birthday party for our three year old son, and while I did have things that match, the decorations were minimal and it was a time with family to relax! It was SO freeing!!!! I’m stopping by from IBN and am now a new follower. It’s always nice to meet a like-minded new friend!
I love this post. Would you mind if I shared it on my blog sometime in the near future? The reason I want to is because ironically my daughter is turning 5 and I am having a over the top pinterest party. I have put a lot of thought into it though (not just into the party, but into whether or not it’s too much). For me though it is extremely therapeutic. It’s my outlet, and I have time for it right now. Not every year, but I do this year. I love this post though, because that is what it boils down to. No one should feel pressured to live up to those unrealistic expectations. The kids don’t care about that stuff anyway. What you mentioned about family time and connecting, that is what really matters! Bravo. I’ll be pinning this 😉
I love this. I sometimes feel guilty for not even trying those perfect parties…because I know it’s going to fail! But, my kids always seem to have a great time when things are laid back and low stress. So that’s how we roll. 🙂
Amen! I think often people get too overwhelmed with the beautiful parties they see others throw online that they don’t even throw a party at all, which is so sad!
I’m so with you on this! When my kids were little we had ‘play dates’ for parties – the only difference was a little bit of store bought party food and a cake. Just a regularly cake, nothing fancy. The kids played – they loved having their friends over. Mums had a catch up over a cuppa. When they grew a little older (8 or so) they started planning their own parties – and parties for their siblings. This is when they became fancy – still nothing like Pinterest – but more than a playdate. They have lots of fun memories. Funnily enough I just blogged this morning about parties too!
This sounds like a PERFECT party to me. Cousins playing together without structured, planned activities? Adults catching up? Passing around babies??! YES PLEASE!
I stopped stressing too. I love to Pin ideas and then I execute them as best I can. They’re never “Pinterest worthy” as far as perfection but I don’t mind. They’re carried out with love and my kids enjoy it–which is why I do it.
Oh, but your party was “perfectly” lovely!! Everyone had a good time, the birthday girl was celebrated, the occasion was marked…perfect!
Parties are my “thing”…I just love planning them and decorating and doing the menu. (It is an inherited trait. ~smile~) Plus, I have LOTS of help (my girls inherited the party gene, too) and no littles any more. But PEOPLE are the essence of a party, not perfection!
You definitely have the party planning gene. Your celebrations are always so lovely! But I never feel stressed out catching glimpses of them, I think it has to do with your focus on enjoying the people not planning the perfect party.
I am with you. I may hop on pinterest and take a quick look around when planning a b-day party. But I end up skipping most of the pinterest perfect ideas. They look fun, but I want to keep the hosting stress-level down. I would enjoy the party and my kiddo and the guests more if I’m not stressing out too much. There is enough to do with getting the house clean and food ready!
That looks like a fun party! I’m sure they loved making there own sprinkles. My daughter would love that.
ithink those ‘themed’ parties are silly. My goals for the best bday party is family, memories, fun and celebration. Looks like you covered them all!