9 Simple But Meaningful Birthday Traditions Your Family Will Love

Here are 9 simple but meaningful birthday traditions you and your family will love year after year.

Last week we celebrated my husband’s birthday. Now that we have been together for almost a decade and just had our second daughter in October, we are creating our own set of birthday traditions.

I’m a total sucker for traditions. Especially now that I’m a mom, I love the idea of my daughters growing up and getting to experience meaningful traditions year after year.

In fact having traditions is something our family really values because, on top of being fun and special, they are important.

The ritual of traditions provide family identity, connection, and it’s how meaningful shared memories are created.

One thing I’ve come to realize about birthday traditions is that oftentimes, the more simple traditions are the most magical and meaningful.

Another thing I love about traditions is being the one to make them happen.

Yes, this usually means staying up waaaaay passed my bed time/getting up before the sun or planning out all of the elements when my brain doesn’t feel to have an ounce of extra space.

But you know what? I never, ever regret making the tradition happen. In fact, I know I would regret it if I didn’t make it happen.

Something else I love about being the one who is setting everything up is it gives me time to slow down to think about the person I’m doing this for. I get to reflect on who they currently are as a person (or baby or toddler!), memories created, and my wishes and prayers for who they will become, their future, and the life we are creating.

If you find yourself thinking, “but we’re just so busy…”

The thing is, we’re all busy. All the time. And guess what? That’s probably not going to change.

But, in my opinion, carrying out meaningful traditions year after year answers the question “isn’t that what life is all about?”. These sure are the days, aren’t they?

At the end of the day, our children’s childhoods are in our hands. The memories they have when they think back on their birthdays growing up is up to us.

Even when my daughters will roll their eyes and act like they’re too cool for some of these traditions (I’m a high school teacher so my expectations are realistic) I’m still going to do them. And I can’t wait.

I hope you find inspiration by these birthday traditions!

#1 Make a special breakfast

In our family this usually means cinnamon rolls and a quiche or chili rellenos or a fancy bagel spread (think breakfast charcuterie board).

Typically birthday dinners are the focus (and we also totally do birthday dinner on top of birthday breakfast), but waking up to a breakfast that took a little extra time and effort is the best way to kick off your birthday.

It also leaves you feeling so loved, special, and just plain happy.

Here’s some more birthday breakfast ideas:

• Cinnamon rolls
• Quiche
• Chile rellenos
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Dutch babies with fresh berries, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, and syrup
• Pancakes or waffles with tons of toppings options
• Bagels with alllll the fixings – cream cheese, lox or prosciutto, capers, onion, cucumber, and lemon.

My husband’s birthday is close to Christmas, so we made his birthday cinnamon rolls in the shape of a Christmas tree.

#2 Create a photo wall + decorate the dining room (or wherever your family gathers/eats)

I like to stay up late or get up early to decorate the room where we will be having our birthday breakfast, opening presents, and doing most of the celebrating. For us this is our dining room, which is right off the kitchen.

One of our family’s favorite birthday traditions is putting together a photo wall. It’s so easy, inexpensive, and takes very little time to put together. To do this I print out photos of whoever’s birthday it is from the last year and tape them to two large framed prints (see below!).

They are so fun to look at and spark tons of memories we end up sharing.

Side note: I also like to do this for anniversaries and on New Years!

Here’s a list of all of the birthday decorating I do:

• Make a photo wall
• Use fabric birthday bunting
  • We use the same fabric happy birthday bunting for everyone, year after year.
  • I found this wonderful (free!) birthday bunting template, but you do need a sewing machine.
  • If you don’t have a sewing machine here and here are options for birthday bunting.
• Hand this star garland from the ceiling (I want to start putting these up too!)
• Put extra taper candles (link to holders) on the table
• And finally, use a pretty table cloth

#3 Make your cake (or birthday dessert) from scratch

This is similar to making a special birthday breakfast.

Of course ordering a cake takes less time and is less stressful, but when you make your cake from scratch it demands that you slow down. This gives you time to think about the person or occasion you are making it for. And you know the person you are making the cake for feels that on their birthday.

For me, this is another answer to the question, isn’t this what it’s all about?

And if your decorating skills are a total Pinterest fail, it makes for a much more memorable story!

This is my favorite cookbook for cake recipes!

#4 Use a cake stand as part of your birthday traditions

We use the cake stand from our wedding for birthdays, and it’s starting to feel like a family heirloom!

This is the cake stand we have

Click here for link to cake stand

Click here for link to cake stand

#5 You Are Special Today Plate

Such a classic!

I’ve wanted one of these plates ever sine seeing one at a good friend’s house in high school. The moment I saw it, I thought to myself, “when I grow up, I’m going to have one of those plates for my kids.”

Then, this year, a dear friend gifted me one.

#6 Gifts

Our daycare provider introduced me to this but you get them four gifts: something they want, something they need, something they can wear, and something they can read.

#7 Ask thoughtful birthday questions (FREE download!)

One of my favorite birthday traditions is to sit down and ask thoughtful questions to whoever’s birthday it is.

This is a perfect thing to do while everyone is eating cake or during birthday breakfast/dinner!

Not sure what to ask? We got you covered!

Sign up and subscribe below, and we’ll send you a free copy of Teaching From Scratch’s 30 Thoughtful Birthday Questions.

These questions are designed to spark meaningful conversation, sweet memories, and deeper family connection – perfect for any age!

And 30 is a lot! One idea for approaching these is each family member can pick 1-2 questions to ask!

Make birthdays more meaningful

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#8 Write them a letter or an email to open on a later date

Soon after each of my daughter’s were born, I created their own email address.

I write them emails throughout the year, but on their birthdays I make it a point to write them a heartfelt email sharing what I particularly love about them, listing their current interests and ambitions, and include some of my favorite pictures from the past year.

#9 Make it a birthday tradition to be a family no-phone day!

Gosh, I love this birthday tradition.

Declaring birthdays a family no-phone day is such a special and meaningful tradition because it results in everyone slowing down and simply being present with one another to celebrate.

You may be inspired to create more family no-phone days after trying this one!

Do you have any birthday traditions you currently do, did as a child, or hope to start with your family?

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