When Charlie turned one back in 2017 I decided that I wanted to do a few special things to decorate the house to help celebrate, and I’ve since done the same things, albeit with an update, for every birthday since. So as Jack turned one last week, it was only right that these new traditions come out on his birthday too. I hope to continue these until they’re too embarassed by the fuss their mum makes of them on their birthday! (but it probably won’t sop me doing it, ha!)
A birthday banner: I had a birthday banner saying ‘Happy Birthday Charlie’ made by Other Letters, a lovely local company, for Charlie’s first birthday and I hang it every year, it even came to Menorca for last years celebrations! So for Jack I opted for a charcoal grey version, a great little personalised piece that shouts celebration yet still looks good in the house.
A year in photos: I go through my phone and select about 50 photos of the birthday boy from the year that I have printed to look like polaroids through the app La La Lab. I then have lengths of string that I’ve previously threaded with mini wooden pegs (the ones from Charlie’s first birthday are still going strong!) and then hang the photos on these and put them up in the dining room and on the fireplace, usually above where the presents are laid out for the morning.
A home baked cake: As much as I love the professional cakes I see on Instagram on Pinterest I think there’s something lovely about having a homemade birthday cake, especially while the boys are young. Charlie used to be allergic to eggs and dairy (we have taken a long time but have finally completed the egg and dairy ladder successfully) so this was the first birthday cake I could actually make with butter and eggs. Sure, it’s not quite so insta-perfect, but it tasted delicious.
A birthday letter: Every year I have hand written a letter to Charlie on his birthday, and I have done the same now for Jack. I intend to continue these every year to then hand them a big pile of letters on their 18 birthdays. I think it will be a nice thing for them to sit down and read all about their year from their mum’s perspective and give them an insight into all the fun we have had together. I also pop a few of the polaroid photos into the envelope. I get quite emotional when I write these but hope they are something sentimental they will cherish forever.
