A New Birthday Party Tradition

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As parents, we are always looking to teach our children about helping others. We belong to a wonderful church who provides it's families with countless opportunities to help and serve others. Our kids have saved quarters to buy mosquito nets to save families from malaria in Africa, as well as shared food each Sunday for our local food pantry. Even small things like holding the door for another person or sharing your things can help teach them to be more empathetic towards others.

My oldest son turns eight this week, which means it's time for his friend birthday celebration. But you see,  I've always struggled with these birthday parties. Since we are renting a townhouse for the time being, I can't possibly figure out how to have a perfectly good "home based" birthday party, being that I can hardly contain my three children inside here and all the while keeping control, my sanity, money, and moderation in mind. 

My soon-to-be eight year old loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and movies. And coincidentally, the third movie is premiering two weeks after his special day. We've decided to have some friends along to see the movie with him and make it a party. But the movie theater doesn't have a party room, so there is no place for cupcakes or presents. No worries for this parent, because my friend from church suggested a website to use for party invitations, and I think this is the perfect way to introduce a new birthday party tradition to our family and especially my boys.

ECHOage is a website that, for one, is not paying me to write good things about them. ECHOage is a website where you create an online invitation for your party.  You can send invitations and track guests using email. In lieu of physical presents, guests are invited {but not required, of course} to donate money of which half goes to a charity of your child's choosing, and the other half goes into an account that will get added up and distributed to your child for them to purchase items on their birthday wish list. 

Who knew you could not only celebrate your child's birthday, but teach them a wonderful lesson on giving and helping others!!! That's my kind of birthday party! It's a win-win for both the parents {more control, sanity, and moderation!}, the child, and the charity!

An example of the invitation - and yes...that's what my son asked for for his actual birthday. I love how simple and sweet that is!

My son has a special place for Africa in his heart. He loved collecting quarters to purchase a net for the charity Imagine No Malaria, knowing that for just $10, a family in Africa an sleep without fear of being bit by malaria ridden mosquitos. For more information about that, click here. So when he saw Books for Africa charity, I had to smile. He's on board with the idea, and for me, that makes me very happy.

If you are looking for a new way to celebrate your child's birthday, check ECHOage out! You, and your child, won't regret it!

Speaking of movies - did you check out my post Media Smarty Pants yet?