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Happy Birthday!
6 Ways to Show Your Child THEY’RE LOVED

Birthdays come but once a year, so they should be treated with extra attention for children of all ages. If you’re looking for ways to impart family birthday traditions that will earn rave reviews, here are some ideas:

1. Celebrate All Week (Month) Long

Use a birthday celebration as something more than just marking another year past. Make it a time when a particular member of the family is singled out and honored so he or she knows just how much of a special part of the family they are.

2. Rise and Shine, It’s Cake Time

Birthdays can start the moment the birthday girl or boy opens his or her eyes. Have a big slice of cake ready and sing a chorus of that famous tune. If the idea of a sugary snack in the morning isn't their thing, bake a pancake birthday cake and layer it with fresh fruit and light whipped cream—with a candle on top, of course!

3. Dynamite Decorations

Do you know the feeling of entering the living room to see the gifts beneath the tree on Christmas morning? Create the same awe-inspiring effect by having the birthday child awake to a house adorned with streamers, balloons and confetti. Or, for a smaller-scale idea, decorate the door of his or her room with a special birthday banner.

4. Give Activities Instead of Gifts

How many toys and games can a kid get? Tons, of course. But how about an extra-special and different idea for birthday wishes? Treat the birthday guy or gal to an outing of his or her choice in lieu of gifts. It could be a day at the aquarium or an afternoon of horseback riding. Just be sure the entire family can be involved.

5. Hidden Prize

Kids love scavenger hunts, so hide a special trinket or gift somewhere in the house that he or she must set out to find. It could be tickets to a movie or that gift your child has been eyeing for some time. Another clever idea is to hide a surprise inside of the birthday cake so that everyone in the family can be in on the fun. Push a candy, chocolate or nut into a portion of the cake before it is frosted. The person who gets the slice gets a special outing or another perk of his or her choice.

6. Birthday Dinner

Let the birthday child choose his or her favorite meal and dessert that will be served (or eaten out) for the birthday. This gives children a chance to exert independence and have a say in family meal planning, while also feeling special about the birthday. Chances are with favorite kid foods being pizza, burgers and Chinese food, the entire family will enjoy the tradition.

Courtesy of Metro Editorial Services.