Okay, so Marshall's 1 year birthday is still 4 months away...but I have to admit, I'm already planning! I didn't think I would be this excited about it, but I can't help myself. I'm excited to celebrate surviving one year, enjoying one year, a little sad that a year has already gone by, but also REJOICING that I got through what I thought was one of the hardest years of my life. It's so crazy to think that my little boy is already turning 1!
So I'm thinking about a cowboy theme...and I'm not talking about going over the top or anything, just some fun decorations. There are SO many cute things on Etsy.com. It's been a great place to go just to get ideas!
But I'm not writing about party themes or decorations today...I'm writing about gifts. While I absolutely love the idea of throwing a birthday party and celebrating Marshall turning one, something in me doesn't feel right about making a huge focus on birthday gifts. First of all, he has plenty of toys and entertainment and he doesn't really NEED anything. Second of all, as a follower of Jesus, I want to encourage godly principles, not worldly ones. And showering him with gifts every year just isn't a message I want to send him. So how do I do this without offending family or friends who want to give him things?
Well, I think for starters, I'm going to make it clear on the invitation: "No gifts, please." Most people, honestly, I think will be relieved they don't have to go figure out what a one year old boy wants and go buy it. I know there will be family and friends who will want to buy him something and I am okay with that, but I don't want it presented at his birthday party, in front of a huge crowd, making a big production of it. There are plenty of birthdays where that is the norm and that's fine, it's just not what I want our family to be about. Gifts can be simple things, like a toy that's been in the closet for awhile and hasn't been used. Or even better, finding a way to serve someone else, like clearing their plate from the table or giving them a hug. I just don't think buying a lot of "things" is what I want to encourage.
My vision and ability to articulate this still hasn't even really fully developed, so I'm sure there will be more to come...especially around Christmas time. But for now...my only thought is, I'd like to include a request on the invite that says "No gifts, please." We'll see how that goes!
Okay, so Marshall's 1 year birthday is still 4 months away...but I have to admit, I'm already planning! I didn't think I would be this excited about it, but I can't help myself. I'm excited to celebrate surviving one year, enjoying one year, a little sad that a year has already gone by, but also REJOICING that I got through what I thought was one of the hardest years of my life. It's so crazy to think that my little boy is already turning 1!
So I'm thinking about a cowboy theme...and I'm not talking about going over the top or anything, just some fun decorations. There are SO many cute things on Etsy.com. It's been a great place to go just to get ideas!
But I'm not writing about party themes or decorations today...I'm writing about gifts. While I absolutely love the idea of throwing a birthday party and celebrating Marshall turning one, something in me doesn't feel right about making a huge focus on birthday gifts. First of all, he has plenty of toys and entertainment and he doesn't really NEED anything. Second of all, as a follower of Jesus, I want to encourage godly principles, not worldly ones. And showering him with gifts every year just isn't a message I want to send him. So how do I do this without offending family or friends who want to give him things?
Well, I think for starters, I'm going to make it clear on the invitation: "No gifts, please." Most people, honestly, I think will be relieved they don't have to go figure out what a one year old boy wants and go buy it. I know there will be family and friends who will want to buy him something and I am okay with that, but I don't want it presented at his birthday party, in front of a huge crowd, making a big production of it. There are plenty of birthdays where that is the norm and that's fine, it's just not what I want our family to be about. Gifts can be simple things, like a toy that's been in the closet for awhile and hasn't been used. Or even better, finding a way to serve someone else, like clearing their plate from the table or giving them a hug. I just don't think buying a lot of "things" is what I want to encourage.
My vision and ability to articulate this still hasn't even really fully developed, so I'm sure there will be more to come...especially around Christmas time. But for now...my only thought is, I'd like to include a request on the invite that says "No gifts, please." We'll see how that goes!
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