Need gift ideas for the person who's hard to buy for? Your brother? Dad? Mom? Friend? You can't go wrong with these ideas for gifts that are experiences.
This guide to gifting experiences has you covered for anyone that you need to find a present for from kids to the grandparents.
Whether you're a minimalist, reducing clutter, or looking for a creative gift idea, give experience gifts! Experiences become memories.
Are you sick of trying to figure out what toy to give at the next birthday party? Why not one of these experience gifts for kids instead?
Get this free printable birthday treasure hunt for kids or adults. This is a fun game to play at birthday parties or with clues to the birthday celebrant's gifts.
13 Epic Things To Do On Your Birthday. Fun things you can do on your special day to have a memorable and unique birthday experience.
Here are awesome and unforgettable birthday ideas for kids, as well as big birthday party alternatives! Fun without the work!
Use these Experience Gifts for Kids to find the perfect non-toy gift for the kid who has everything. Use experience-based presents to give the gift of time & memories.
Over the past few years, I’ve been learning towards gift-giving for something the receiver will actually use. For some, it might be something they’ve specifically said they wanted/needed. For others, it might be something generic like a gift card that they can have fun spending. Gift giving doesn’t have to be expensive and it doesn’t […]
13 Epic Things To Do On Your Birthday. Fun things you can do on your special day to have a memorable and unique birthday experience.
Looking for a fun and free way to celebrate your loved one's birthday? Check out these free Birthday Scavenger Hunt Printable Clues
Escape room birthday parties are a fun way to make sure even reluctant birthday party attendees have a great time. DIY escape rooms are the perfect mix of
The very best experience gifts are winners in so many ways as they : Are clutter free Can be sent virtually last minute And will truly delight even tricky difficult people on your Christmas gift
Research shows that if you're going to spend money, then doing so on things that will allow you to be with others is more likely to make you happy. By giving experiences, not only will you have less clutter to manage, you'll be creating more opportunities for growth, character-building, and togetherness. (And togetherness = happiness.)
These 50 Experience Gift Ideas will have the recipient smiling from ear to ear! They are thoughtful, fun, and fit your budget.
Give your kids the gift of happy memories! Check out these great experience gifts for kids so they can make memories to treasure for life!
Swapping gifts for experiences provide kids with enjoyable opportunities to learn, travel, and become more compassionate toward the world around them.
Glamping birthday party ideas are very suitable for a wide range of ages, there's no better way to let loose and celebrate than a vacation away from glamping.
A child’s birthday is a time of hope, a time of looking forward to a new year filled with fresh milestones and experiences. Celebrating another trip around the sun for a child is an opportunity for reflection and a chance to bring beauty, meaning, and a smattering of magic into their lives. In Waldorf tradition, birthdays are always a cause for celebration, as traditions and rituals help ground children, allowing them to experience the rhythms of a year. Celebrating a birthday in the Waldorf way provides an opportunity to not only mark this special day but to honor the child’s place in your family and their world. According to The Birthday Book, an indispensable guide to Waldorf birthdays and celebrations in general, there are three essentials needed for every birthday. The cake which represents sustenance and “the totality of life of which we are all a part.” The upright candle which represents the individual, and “helpers on the path” who are there to support and celebrate your child. If you have all of these three things, you are well on your way! We have compiled some answers to the most common questions about what makes a Waldorf birthday celebration unique and how to get started, as well as offer some ideas about creating your own traditions and rituals that fit your family. Remember, there is no one right way to create a meaningful celebration. The key is to find the parts that feel like a fit for you and your family and to have fun celebrating your child! Why celebrate birthdays in the Waldorf Tradition? Waldorf traditions and rituals help children mark the passing of a year and celebrating a child’s birth honors their presence in our lives, the child’s place in the family and in the world at large. Rituals and traditions allow children to experience the “rhythm of the year.” With a Waldorf birthday, the emphasis is more on the child’s life and experiences than presents and structured party themes. While the child’s interests certainly play a big part in the day, the rituals and special moments begin several days before the actual birthday and then are carried out throughout the entire day. There is a big emphasis on creating handmade gifts and adorning a table with beautiful objects that represent the child and their place in the natural world and seasons. What are some special Waldorf birthday traditions? Celebration Spiral Countdown: This tradition uses the Grimm's Wooden Celebration Spiral. You can do this countdown a few ways using the holes in the spiral to represent each day leading up to the birthday. Some families use a peg person that travels closer to a candle at the end of the spiral each day. Others will light a candle each day and then move the candle forward one more day. The empty holes can be filled with beautiful treasures, like rocks and shells that the child gathers, or Celebration Ring Decorations that represent special moments or meaningful aspects of their personalities. Beeswax Countdown Candle: We love this simple rolled beeswax candle adorned with 7 figures in decorating beeswax. Children can roll a candle in the color of their choice and help add the designs. Then, each day leading up to their birthday, light the candle and let it burn until one more design disappears. While the candle is burning, discuss something special the child achieved or learned during the year. By the last day, the child is filled with anticipation and excitement! Roll The Beeswax Candles: In Waldorf education, it is important to have the children play an active role in helping with all of the celebrations. Rolling their own beeswax candles before the birthday is a lovely way to prepare for the big day. Make sure to roll enough candles to represent the age of your child. Most Waldorf birthdays do not include the one to grow on candle, but if that is special to you, certainly add that in! Birthday Eve Traditions Special Pre-Birthday Verse At bedtime on the evening before your child's birthday, light a candle and share this special verse: When I have said my evening prayer, And my clothes are folded on the chair, And mother switches off the light, I’ll still be four years old tonight. But from the very break of day, Before the children rise and play, Before the darkness turns to gold, Tomorrow, I’ll be five years old. Five kisses when I wake, Five candles on my cake. The Magical Path: Once your child has shared the special birthday verse, and you have tucked them into bed, you can spend time creating a path to the birthday table where the birthday ring and other seasonal and natural decorations will be set. This pathway can be created from natural elements like flower petals, small seashells, or you can cut out paper or felt hearts or other designs that connect to the birthday child. You can even use play silks or other fabric elements to add to the magical pathway! Use a rainbow playsilk at the end, right before they get to the table for a special touch. Day Of Birthday Traditions Birthday Crown & Cape: After your child follows the magical path to the celebration area and birthday table, ceremoniously place a felted birthday crown (see our tutorial & template for how to make one here) on your child’s head, and a silk birthday cape on their shoulders. Birthday Ring: This is one of the most distinctive Waldorf Birthday traditions and has its origins in Germany. The wooden birthday ring usually has 12-16 holes around the circle. If your child is turning 6, you will fill 6 of the holes with beeswax candles (make sure to put a brass ring in the hole first for safety) and the rest of the holes can be filled with wooden decorations, such as a wooden 6 and wooden figures that represent the child and the season they were born in. For example, if it is spring, you might put in wooden flowers, birds, rainbow, or baby animals. Wooden peg dolls as well as stones and other natural elements can be used to fill the holes. Birthday Table: The birthday ring is set on the special birthday table which can be decorated with playsilks, felt ornaments, flowers, artwork, and photos of the birthday child. In many Waldorf traditions, a felt star wand is placed on this table whether mixed in with flowers or in its own special spot. Birthday Story: The birthday story is one of the more creative parts of the birthday celebration. You can start the story with each candle that you light on the birthday ring and share memories of each corresponding year as you light each candle. Or you can tell the story after all the candles are lit on the birthday ring. This story will include what their birth was like, what the day they were born was like, and 3-4 milestones from each year that has passed. Traditional Waldorf birthdays incorporate some version of the Rainbow Bridge story where your child is looking down on the earth from above, seeing their parents and choosing to cross the 'Rainbow Bridge' to join their family on the earth. Another version of this story can be found in the book Beyond The Rainbow Bridge by Barbara Patterson. The picture book Little Angel's Journey offers another version of the story with beautiful illustrations by Dzvinka Hayda. To find more examples and templates for birthday stories, see below. Birthday Chair: A chair of honor for the birthday child is set up at the birthday table. This special chair is wrapped with ribbons and fabric, and then decorated with leaves, flowers, and perhaps balloons. What are some classic Waldorf birthday party decorations? Decorations for a Waldorf Birthday tend to focus on natural materials that are soothing to the senses of the birthday child. Flowers and seasonal elements are important parts of the decoration. Families can make felted letters of the birthday child’s name to hang along with fabric streamers or crepe paper streamers, and fabric garlands that can be reused every year. Play silks are used to wrap presents and to decorate tables. What are some special songs, verses, and books to incorporate into the birthday celebration? The Birthday Book by Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton, and Marije Rowling has wonderful ideas for bringing meaning in the Waldorf tradition to your child’s special day including ideas for games and activities, recipes, decorations and much more. Here are a few Waldorf Verses suited to birthday celebrations: In heaven shines a golden star An angel led you from afar From heaven high unto the earth And brought you to your house of birth And the angel led you Across the rainbow bridge saying: “Joy and laughter you may bring To everyone and everything” And on the Earth you were born And we looked at you and said: “Look at this precious gift from the heavens. We shall name her/him _____________.” Birthday Verse The light of the world Came down to Earth To shine for all mankind I carry that light Within myself In my will, In my heart, And in my mind. The Earth Goes Round The Sun During the song, the guest of honor walks in a large circle, with a candle (symbolizing the sun) at the center. You can have guests on the periphery hold symbols of the seasons in order (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) around the circle. The guest of honor can begin near the symbols of the season in which they were born, then walk around the circle slowly enough to arrive back where they started by the end of each verse. (To the tune of The Farmer In The Dell) The Earth goes ‘round the sun The Earth goes ‘round the sun It takes a year, your birthday’s here And then you’re one! The Earth goes ‘round the sun, The Earth goes ‘round the sun, It takes a year, your birthday’s here And then you’re two! (Continue for as many verses as the child’s age.) We hope this Q & A has answered some of your questions about the traditions that make up a Waldorf Birthday and that it has encouraged you to add some special new components to your family celebrations. As we said in the beginning, there is no “right” way to have a Waldorf-inspired birthday. The beauty of traditions is that they are pulled from different cultures and family backgrounds to create a unique blend of festivity. Perhaps you will add the birthday ring and the birthday chair and one verse for the night before or you may choose to make a felted crown and cape and stick to your families' cultural traditions. Whatever you choose, we hope that your celebrations feel authentic to you and your children and that they are filled with love, light, and laughter! Be sure to share your special Waldorf birthday traditions, and any new ones you add that you found in this blog post with us on Instagram @bellalunatoys and use the hashtag #bellalunatoys. Thank you to Heather for sharing this beautiful birthday table she created for her daughter's 5th birthday. You can see more from Heather about homeschooling and her Waldorf home on Instagram @daughtersandthings
Glamping birthday party ideas are very suitable for a wide range of ages, there's no better way to let loose and celebrate than a vacation away from glamping.
Looking for easy celebration ideas? Birthdays don't need to cost money or be Pinterest perfect. Here are 5 simple ways to create meaningful birthdays!
Use these fun things to do for your birthday as inspiration to live life like a kid again. Enjoy the wonder and excitement you had as a kid!
Research shows that experiences bring us more happiness and satisfaction that things. Here are fifty experience gifts your kids will love.
These Sweet 16 birthday party ideas and themes are perfect to throw a 16th birthday your teen won't forget!
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Birthday ideas for adults don't end with Facebook posts and dinners out. You can do more than that to celebrate your birthday! Promise!
Escape room birthday parties are a fun way to make sure even reluctant birthday party attendees have a great time. DIY escape rooms are the perfect mix of
Creative and interesting ways to make your child or loved one feel special on their birthday.
13 Epic Things To Do On Your Birthday. Fun things you can do on your special day to have a memorable and unique birthday experience.
The best tween boy birthday party ideas including at-home games and activities, themes, fun food + creative out-of-the-house experiences!
Experience gifts for kids make the perfect present! This gift guide has ideas for kids of all ages plus tips for wrapping your gifts too!
Planning a budget birthday party can be a hectic experience for parents. Find out how you can have a fun birthday party for your kids with these 7 simple tips. You don't need expensive and elaborate themes to give your kids a good time on their birthdays.
This year consider giving experience gifts that will make last memories instead of just more stuff.
From experiences, to tech products and everything in between. Here are our top pics for 18th birthday gifts for him and her!
Are you looking for ways to make your coworker feel happy when appreciated? What can be more effective than to have a wonderful office birthday celebration on their special day? Not only does it provide the employee with some hard-earned time off during their special day but it also allows their team members to appreciate their peers. Here are some great gift ideas and awesome ways to celebrate your co-worker’s birthday at work: Have a Cake Break What’s a co-worker birthday celebration without a cake or a pie or anything sweet, for that matter? For a more fanciful birthday party, you can readily get an extremely customizable cake. Alternatively, ask the team members of the birthday person to investigate what they like the best. A football-shaped cake, for example, would make any fan feel special. Dark forest, lemon tart, cream meringues, red velvet- there is no shortage of sweet, crumbly desserts. You can substitute the cake for something more savory if the birthday boy or girl is not a big enthusiast of sweet things. Decorate their desk One of the truly easy and effective ways to celebrate a coworker’s birthday is to decorate their desk with Birthday Butler’s birthday banner centerpiece. Imagine when the birthday person comes in and discovers that his/her desk has been decorated. It is guaranteed to make every employee feel appreciated on their special day. Even with a tight budget, you can really pack in a punch. Phone Soap Smartphone Sanitizer Most people use their mobile more often than their landline, and that means they’re much more prone to contamination. This easy-to-use sanitizer and charger helps zap 99.99% of those germs. Simply place the device inside, attach the included charging cable, and close the lid. Ultra-violet lights do the dirty work. The case even has built-in acoustic amplifiers so you can keep listening to music or use your phone's alarm while it's getting its spa treatment. Via Uncommon Goods Ice Cream Bar If you coworker happens to love ice cream all year round why not create an ice-cream feast. Because boozy office parties are never a good idea, an “Ice-Cream Bar” is our favorite alternative. By bar, yes, we mean an actual bar. Set up a table by the side in the break room. Provide options for different toppings. Chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, actual berries, M&Ms- the options are endless! Don’t forget to add a centerpiece for the buffet table. It’s the perfect accessory to recognize their big accomplishment, awesome win or their special day! Imagine how much sweeter the world would be if there was more celebrating?! SHOP NOW. Get a bit creative and ask the birthday person to create the “Sundae of the Day.” Additionally, you can create a competition to create custom sundaes and let the birthday person select the winning sundae. Via Personal Creations Birthday Breakfast The birthday boy or girl gets to choose what they want for breakfast and the whole office benefits! Mini Money Tree The Mini Money Tree is a perfect indoor foliage plant to give you a tropical feel. With its stout stem and bright green palm looking leaves, it looks both like a tree and tiny palm. Native from Mexico to northern South America, the Money Tree is also very popular in Taiwan and other East Asian countries. The Mini Money Tree gets its name because the Feng Shui practice believes it will bring positive energy and good luck to the owner. It has been said this plant reduces stress, anxiety and may also help lessen sleeping disorders. According to Feng Shui, the Money Tree brings good fortune to its owner. If you know someone who could do with an upturn in luck, this mini tree will make a thoughtful and symbolic gift. Said to reduce stress and anxiety, this air purifying plant comes ready-planted in a pot. Via Bloomscape Chocolate Chip Cookie Mouse Pad Every office has a cookie fiend – the one who always brings baked goods in to treat the rest of the staff. Show your appreciation for their generosity with a chocolate chip cookie mouse pad. Ideal for gaming or just general PC work, this round mat will be the sweetest gift they receive. Via Amazon Summary You don’t need to throw a big party to celebrate your coworker’s birthday (although one is welcomed at any time!). Small gestures can have a big impact too. Whatever you decide, you should do something to let your co-worker know that you’re aware of their special day.
For kids who have way too many toys, here are the best experience gift ideas for kids that will give your children wonderful memories for a lifetime.
Science says experiences are greater gifts to give than toys, but I am a play therapist, so I also see the value of having toys around. I actually completely agree with both: toys & experiences. These gifts for kids that I am sharing today make great birthday presents. I wanted to share some of the
I love gifts. Any time I find myself in a social situation where I know there'll be a present or two and some small talk, I'm ecstatic. When I discovered experience gifts, it was like hitting my first little white ball down the fairway. Who doesn't like experiences? Everyone does! And who loves Experience gifts
Sugar Republic – A Very Sweet Melbourne Experience
A guide for asking family members to give experiences instead of gifts this holiday season and beyond. An experience gift guide is provided.
These Sweet 16 birthday party ideas and themes are perfect to throw a 16th birthday your teen won't forget!
Did you know you can get so much free stuff on your birthday? From food to retail and even experiences - here are the best places we could find and test.
