I absolutely love celebrating other people’s birthdays. Birthdays are a great opportunity to reach out and let someone know that they matter and have a special place in this world. If you are on social media and have had people you haven’t heard from in years post a birthday wish to you, then you know what I mean. It makes a person feel really good. There are some people who might think that a simple “Happy Birthday” posted on a time line does not mean anything, but it really does. That person took those few moments out of their day to let you know they were thinking about you. That is what birthdays are all about. Letting people know they are special.
For every birthday in our home, my family wakes up to birthday messages, streamers and balloons because I want them to wake with a smile that I hope will last all day. Some people have boxes of holiday décor in their attic, but I have boxes of streamers, signs and balloons just waiting to be hung. At any given time you are sure to find a random piece of scotch tape on a wall in my home leftover from one of the festivities. Recently, I learned how to make balloon garland and that has taken the fun to a whole new level!
If you love birthdays and party planning as much as I do, the first thing you should do is flip over to page 36, where you will find our annual Birthday Party Resource Guide. This directory is filled with valuable information to help you get ready for your special event. Make sure you tuck this issue in a convenient place so you have it year round as you plan all of your celebrations!
When planning a party, there are a lot of “to-dos” that have to get done. If all those pile up on you, it makes for a very stressful event robbing you of the joy of the actual party. With proper planning you can enjoy the day just as much as the guests, if not more. In The Savvy Party Planner: Countdown To A Stress-free Birthday Celebration, on page 32, Christina Katz helps you lay out a game plan that will have you rested and ready for the big day.
As we all know, parties can get expensive. There are great ways to save by reusing supplies or baking your own cake, but that still costs money. Many families I know are still struggling after the pandemic and looking for ways to bring in extra income to help with their budgets… and hopefully have money left over for the extras like parties. While there are a plethora of jobs out there due to the job shortage, you may be looking for something that will allow a little more flexibility in your schedule. If so, check out Cheryl Maguire’s recommendations in 15 Way to Earn Extra Monday as a Mom, found on page 28.
Whether you are looking for a fun family activity in our Family Calendar, checking out some great School News or planning the perfect party, we hope you find the July issue both helpful and entertaining. Also during the birth month of our great country, I want to thank all of the men and women in service who work to keep us the land of the free and home of the brave. God bless the USA!
Have a Happy 4th and a wonderful July!
Author: Lynn Knighton
Lynn has called the Gulf area home since 2006 with her husband Brad and their 3 daughters. Following the sale of her Abrakadoodle franchise, Lynn still wanted to serve families and help them thrive. Becoming the Publisher of Greater Pensacola Parents was the perfect opportunity. Now she invests into family's lives each month by providing the area's #1 go-to resource for moms and dads.
