Birthday parties

Birthday parties, who needs 'em? I know kids love them but as a mom, I can really do without them. Now I would like to make it clear that I don't have a problem with a family celebrating the birthday of a family member. I even think it's fun to invite some family friends for cake and ice cream. The thing I really don't care for are the parties my kids get invited to year after year for the same kid. Do kids really need friend birthday parties every year? I say, no they don't. If you can afford it and want to have a party go ahead, but every year? Am I the only one who can't afford birthday presents for the same kids year in and year out? I have taken to making most of the gifts we give at parties. Something simple and inexpensive. I am also finding it very freeing to just say, I'm so sorry we just won't be able to make it this year. I for one know that my kids don't need any more crap to store in the middle of their floor. So from now on I am going to ask kids to please bring a donation to give to some other family or service that actually needs things. Because after all it's the party that IS the present, time with friends, crafts, games and cake. Maybe it's time we started giving our kids less, less crap and stuff, less material expectations, less want for material things and more time with family uninterrupted, more service to others, more looking outside themselves, even on their birthday. Please tell me I'm not the only parent who thinks this way. I can't possibly be. I would rather spend the day doing something fun that will build memories rather than using the money to buy more stuff that we don't have room for. Our kids don't go into public naked, they have shoes, they eat us out of house and home, they have books and toys a plenty. So why not spend time at an art gallery or an armory museum or an insect house, or going for a hike or to a clothing museum and a fabric store (it might surprise you to know that this one is a huge hit around here). All of my kids would love to go to the Boston public library and walk around the public gardens. So here is to a year of no gifts, instead we are using that money to make  a memory or help someone else. All those who wish to join us say, aye!