Friday, March 11, 2011

Multi-generational Birthday Celebrations


When we moved back "home" three years ago, I never would have imagined the rich times our family has had during our multi-generational family gatherings.  Birthday celebrations are my personal favorite.  We almost always have four generations  in attendance.  Lots of work? Sometimes, but I try to keep things as simple as possible. Cake (made and decorated by the girls), hot and cold beverages (don't forget the decaf options), cute plates and napkins (bought in advance on clearance at places like Tuesday Morning...whenever I happen to be in the store), simple decorations from around the house ( like baby pictures or a name spelled out with toy blocks), and games.  I really believe the games have been key to our memorable times.  This is one time when, as the hostess, you have the power to bless the birthday person and create meaningful  multi-generational interactions. If you don't have grandparents and great-grand parents in your area, consider inviting some older folks from your church or neighborhood and sharing your family times with them!  Here are some things that have worked well for our multi-generational celebrations:

*Bingo:  we were given a fantastic Bingo set by Front Porch Classics for Christmas one year. Boy, have we used it! This game appeals to all ages.  We even get the toddlers into the action by letting them be the "callers".  We whisper the letter and number into their ear and they shout it out. SO much fun for everyone!  My nephew is famous for playing suspenseful music during the Final Show Down between the last two players.  Prizes are simple but fun, and something that can be easily shared...chocolate is usually somewhere in there, with a non-food prize option for the allergic crowd. We have even considered having a prize that is passed from winner to winner since we play this game often!

* Birthday-Person Trivia:  The birthday person helps me make up a list of about 15 questions...everything from their favorite color, to birth weight, memories from the infancy, current height,least favorite food, and so on.  We make some multiple choice and allow younger children to help the grandparents. After handing out paper and pencils, the fun begins with the hostess reading out the questions. A bonus championship question is also lots of fun.

*Ask the oldest person at the party to tell what life was like when they were the age of the birthday person, or share a memory they have from when they were that age.  Include as many of the "older folk" as you wish on this...you will learn a great deal and it is a great way to build ties between the generations.  Ask in advance if they have a picture or special memorabilia they could bring from when they were that age.

* Play several rounds of Hot-Potato, having the ones left holding the potato to tell their favorite thing about the birthday person, or tell what they think the person might grow up to be and why. Again, this game is fun for toddlers,the elderly, and everyone in between. And such a blessing for the birthday person! (Teenagers love to use the ringtone Hot Potato Game on someone's phone. They really come up with some funny tunes!)

* Let everyone write down something they appreciate about the birthday person and read them out loud at the table.

What are your ideas for multi-generational gatherings?  I'd love to add to our collection of ideas!





4 comments:

  1. I love your ideas for multi-generational gatherings! Our family is not close to us geographically, but we do have some 'older & wiser' families close by.
    We use the Question Jar
    http://www.box.net/shared/755pn6jug1
    for sharing at the table...

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  2. Oops! I don't know why the black box w/question mark?
    I usually have my picture that turns up with my google---
    I don't know how to 'fix' that!

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  3. Hello, Mrs. T!
    What a neat topic! We don't have family so close that we can have frequent birthday parties, but we do have our own sweet birthday celebrations with Dutch Blitz games and a round at the piano :) Soon we will be having an England Night where our guests must choose a British figure to be for the night; they must also wear one item that is typically British, and each must read a quote by Churchill, CS Lewis, Beatrix Potter, etc. The menu will be as British as we can make it :)I'm glad you joined in and hope to see you next Wednesday.

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  4. I'll need to check out the Question Jar! I enjoy guided conversation type things.

    I love the idea of an England night..especially the quote idea! You should blog about it :).

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