a present for everyone....
Just in case you were wondering what any child does with 30 or so presents.....
Well, Rose and I discussed the issue of presents when we decided
to have the whole class. We talked about parties being more for
celebrating and having fun with your friends than all about
getting presents.
I felt that so many presents would be overwhelming
and very unnecessary. In the end this is what we decided to do...inside
each invite we put this little note.
A present for everyone...
Rose is saving up to buy a goat,
three ducks and some training for a pig!
You might like to help out with
a small donation in a birthday card
instead of a present.
You can have a look at the 'Farmer's Pack here....
http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au/ChooseAGift.php
( and please don't worry, Rose will have lots
of presents to open on her birthday!)
All of the parents and children seemed to think this a good idea. With their amazing generosity we are now able to buy not only the
'Farmers pack" but some blankets and school books as well for children
who need them.
Now, Rose is like any other 6 year old kid....she
loves presents! And she was a little bit sad at first about the idea of
nobody bringing a present. However after we talked about it a bit more
and had a look at the Oxfam website ,she was happy to forgo the presents.
This
may have been in part due to this: I didn't want her to feel like she
was missing out in anyway- after all it was her birthday! I promised her that if she decided to go the 'no present' option ,I would take her off
to the toystore and let her choose any toy she liked ( within reason of
course). I would buy this as a "token" present from everyone who came
to the party.
"Even another Bratz doll?" she asked.
"Yes,even another Bratz doll", I agreed. (After all what difference would one more small baby Bratz make, I thought)
Today another of the big headed girls moved in with us.
Silly mama....didn't you know that they make giant Baby Bratz dolls as well???
Damian is away tonight , so as a treat Rose and Jade ( yes the big headed doll has a name) are having a sleepover in my bed. Here they are waiting for me to come to bed.
Remember that movie about the Chuckie doll??
I do.
And I'm not too sure how soundly I'll be sleeping tonight!
The party looks like so much fun--I love the plants as party favors. And the donation idea was great, too. I bet a lot of parents were glad you gave them permission to not have to shop for plastic junk. One scary braz doll is definitely a worthy tradeoff.
Posted by:katie | Sunday, 19 August 2007 at 12:11 AM
The party looks like so much fun--I love the plants as party favors. And the donation idea was great, too. I bet a lot of parents were glad you gave them permission to not have to shop for plastic junk. One scary braz doll is definitely a worthy tradeoff.
Posted by:katie | Sunday, 19 August 2007 at 12:11 AM
What a great thing to do! And I guess she was very happy about her doll :)
have a great weekend!
Posted by:Hege | Sunday, 19 August 2007 at 03:35 AM
"Can I go that party too?",asked my 7 years old when I asked her to read your posting.Or maybe we can do something like that as well?Thank you for sharing this-you gave us new ideas. Gongratulations to Rose (a bit late though..)
Posted by:Tiny little things (Pikkujutut) | Sunday, 19 August 2007 at 05:30 AM
Is that Chukie doll a little like barbarela????
Oh!
Loved your ideas for the party... it seems todays children are so into the presents, it's good to keep their minds clean:)
Much love
Posted by:Zelia | Sunday, 19 August 2007 at 06:58 AM
What a fabulous day and it looks like a wonderful party. I really like the Oxfam donation idea.I hope you survived the night with Jade! They are rather creepy but very popular with the girls of this age.
Posted by:Jenny | Sunday, 19 August 2007 at 11:23 AM
I love those sleeping photos. My eldest still has the same expression she did when she was a newborn. I love kissing them good night.
Your party idea is a beautiful thought. Even I find all the presents at large parties overwhelming and it is good to stop and think of what values we are teaching.
Posted by:Tamara | Monday, 20 August 2007 at 07:30 AM
Jade looks way super stylin' girlfriend. She can be your new BFF, which I believe is something like best friends forever. So happy to hear the box arrived and all was well with the party.
Posted by:Violet & Rose | Monday, 20 August 2007 at 01:39 PM
That was such a great idea! I love the photo of the giant headed doll!!
Posted by:Di | Monday, 20 August 2007 at 04:51 PM
Pretty glad, that Bratz dolls haven't hit our universe, yet...
But what cool ideas, jungle party, plants as give away and the donation, too. And the jungle cake... As there is a birthday coming soon here (V. will turn 7 already), this was great inspiration. Thanks so much!
And the birthday pic of Rose is so cute...what a beautie!
A late "Happy birthday"from the five of us!
Elke
Posted by:Bele | Monday, 20 August 2007 at 09:23 PM
this makes me laugh. I am so dreading the Barbie and Bratz dolls.
And I cannot wait until my kids are a little older so they can understand some of what you are saying here. Just getting them to select some of the drawings they do in order to keep and what to throw is difficult enough. What a special girl...there is something wonderful about a child understanding 'big grown up' issues...yet there is something sad too. As a mother watching your child make responsible decisions, just confirms how much older they are becoming.
Posted by:Tiel | Monday, 27 August 2007 at 07:48 PM