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August 2008 - Posts
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Get ‘Em While They’re Young
My daughter’s first birthday was a few weeks ago and
although she is still too little to complain, several of my friends were
disappointed that her birthday celebration was lacking in fanfare. Even before I was a parent, I was never a big
fan of the baby birthday party – large, expensive get-togethers requiring
large, expensive gifts, while the guest of honor crawls around, oblivious? It wasn’t for me. While my daughter’s birthday was lacking in
“stuff”, it certainly wasn’t lacking in substance. It fell on a Monday this year, serendipitous
since I work a 40 in 4 week so we were able to spend the whole day together,
doing what she enjoys. Namely, dragging
Blue Bear around the apartment 200
times, eating homemade blueberry pancakes, and taking a walk through our local
park. For her “party”, my immediate
family and her godparents toasted her with a pizza party. Total cost out of pocket? Well, technically, nothing (thanks for the
pizza, Mom!) and I was able to come away with several helpful hints to make a
birthday less about the presents and more about the occasion.
- Make a
memory: Ten years from now, the Barbie your daughter absolutely had to get
for her birthday will be a 50 cent item at the garage sale. The pictures you took from your trip to
the zoo will be well worn from all of their viewings. I know it is easy for me to say, as my
daughter cannot yet articulate her wants or desires, but I urge you to
focus more on the event then on the spoils; hopefully, your child will
learn to follow suit.
- Ask
and ye shall receive: Our daughter
has more toys, clothes, knick knacks and mementos after one year of life
then my husband or I combined – and almost none of it was purchased by
us. If you have close, generous
family and friends, odds are someone will ask what your child wants for
their birthday. My first response
is always, “Don’t send presents, send love.” But if someone really wants to know, I
tell them the truth – take a stand against the clutter, the imported
plastic toys, the too small outfits you always mean to return… but never
do. This year, our daughter got
things that she actual NEEDED – and will enjoy. No gift receipts necessary.
- Spend
where it matters: As someone who works with children, in addition to being
a parent, I have seen the increasing trend of consumerism among America’s
youth. If you can – and it’s a big
if – make a break from that in your house and take a stand. I’m not saying I’m anti-present, in
fact, I’m anything but. However,
the most precious gifts I have ever given were not asked for. Family jewelry, get aways with parents,
a classic piece of clothing: these are presents I still think of fondly
(and wear!) to this day. If you
must make a major financial statement for your child’s birthday, drop cash
on something that will last forever, not a thousand little things that
will just gather dust.
- Create
a tradition: This year, I asked all
those close to my daughter to compose a letter to her, recounting the
tremendous impact she has made in all of our lives in one short year. I plan on doing this every year until
she reaches 18, compiling everything together in a special memory book,
separate from her other photo albums and keepsakes. I also made her cake this year (nothing
fancy, but very delicious!) and plan on doing so each and every year. In my family growing up, we got to plan
our birthday dinner menu and everyone ate and enjoyed it together. This year my mother made me a full
Thanksgiving style feast in honor of my 24th birthday – this is
a tradition I plan on continuing!
- Enjoy
what you have – your children will, too!: Maybe this whole article is
completely irrelevant to your life : you just lost your job, there is no
money for a cake, let alone a present, you live paycheck to paycheck,
there is no reason to celebrate. Regardless
of your circumstances, celebrating a loved one should be a joyous, no
stress occasion, and if all you can give is love, please give it in
abundance. I would take a hug and
kiss from a loved one over a cupcake any day!
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Hello Dollar Stretchers!
My name is Meghan Whitmer and I’m a twenty-something working mother who
lives in the New York Metropolitan area.
I’m an environmentally savvy, do it myselfer who takes great pleasure in
getting more from less. My husband and I
are aiming to become a one income family, in our high cost of living area, and
are saving hard, making due with less, but never cutting corners in our
quest. This blog is called the Whole
Buffalo after our families’ philosophy – waste not, want not. I’m sure many of you are familiar with the
stories of Native Americans who made use of absolutely everything? Well, it’s the same story in our house. If we can fix it, repurpose it, resell it,
save it, you name it, we try to make it work.
We buy what we need – not what we want!
In this blog, I’ll share my tips for living a life of
quality, not quantity, and give you a glimpse into the life of a hardworking,
frugal, and socially responsible urban family.
I welcome insight and feedback and would love to hear from other people
who believe that change begins at home – please share your thoughts with me in
the comments!
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