Birthday overkill got you down? St. Paul organization Birthdays Without Pressure can help. They aim to help parents reduce the excess of birthday celebrations, citing the mountains of gifts, the competition to provide bigger and better venues, and that old birthday thorn in the side, the gift bag.
BWP launched today with a talk given by University of Minnesota professor David Ruth. The organization's inception was inspired by one mother's surprise at the pressure she felt to produce a great party for her three year old, and the discussion with her instructor and classmates in a parenting class that followed.
Now, I can take or leave gift bags (don't do them myself), and I can take or leave presents. But I can tell you the secret to having a great birthday party for your kids that every guest of every age will enjoy: No games, no structure, no fancy entertainment, no freaking bounce house or pony ride. All you need is iTunes on shuffle, three kinds of chips, extra frosting on the cupcakes, and most important of all, Birthdays Without Pressure are Birthdays With Beer. That's it. No website necessary. You're welcome.
