The Birthday Store

First of all, I am linking this up with Works-for-Me-Wednesday. I know it's Thursday but yesterday was a blur and a sea of regret due to my lack of willpower when Double Stuffed Oreos are in the house.

Shame on me.

So pretend with me that today is Wednesday and I haven't eaten 12 (or more) DSO's yet.

Thankyouverymuch.

Secondly, this idea is a winner FOR ME. And that's why the idea generator is called "works-for-ME Wednesday". This idea may not fit into your lifestyle or interests.  I get that.  I know this won't work for everyone, but it sure is a great one for me.

April is a month PACKED FULL of family and friend birthday parties.  I love celebrating birthdays but shopping for all these gifts can get a little overwhelming on both time and budget.  My husband's family is fairly large and there are a lot of children to celebrate.  We all live in the same town and we know that our time is so precious.  We came up with a brilliant (at least we think it is) solution that takes the pressure off the amount of time spent going from store to store searching for THE perfect gift. 

When celebrating a family birthday (on my husband's side) we let the birthday child's mommy do ALL the gift shopping for her child.  It is perfect because she has all the good ideas and knows all the right sizes, etc.  Then the night of the party, we sneak off into a room and do our shopping from her "birthday store".  She has planned enough gifts to cover all the aunts, cousins and grandparents that might be attending.

The birthday mommy also provides gift bags and tissue paper.  We spend about twenty minutes during the party shopping and wrapping for the birthday child.

(Is this making any sense??)

So basically, here is what a family birthday party looks like.

We trickle in somewhere between on-time and 30 minutes late.

We eat yummy food.

We chat with our family and chase our wild kiddos.

Sometime after food, the birthday mom opens her store.

We sneak off to another room to shop.

Then we make our choices, and wrap.

The child is thrilled by all his/her gifts.

We eat cake.

We go home.

Here is the BEST part for me.  No money changes hands.  What?!?  Here's how it works.  All of us have the same number of kids and we all have the same budget for family birthday gifts.  I have 3 kids and plan enough $20 dollar gift ideas for my sister-in-laws.  They have 3 kids and do the same.   They know that I am going to spend $20 on little Suzy and I know they are going to spend $20 on one of my kids.  It is all a wash.

Raise your hand if you are totally confused?

Me, too.  I am sorry I can't help you.

I live in a state of confusion.

In summary, the birthday mom buys enough gifts to cover all those who want to shop at THE BIRTHDAY STORE.  It saves us time and it guarantees that the child gets the things on his/her wish list.  It always fits.  It is always the right color.  They are always happy.

And I am happy that I don't have to schlep a wild toddler from store to store.

And that, my friends, works for me.

In fact, it's better than a drive-thru.

If you want more great Works-For-Me-Wednesday ideas, check out We Are That Family.