My twins birthday is just before Christmas. So, I often like to tie in a holiday give back to their party or on their actual birthday. I found a local agency near me that offers a Birthday Booth. Families who utilize the food pantry began asking for help to provide a birthday cake for their child’s birthday. The director of the agency decided to take it step further and offer a birthday swag bag and one free unwrapped toy along with the cake.
What is a birthday swag bag? It has party supplies (decorative plates, napkins, cups, etc) and a few decorations for a family to enjoy at home. It can also include a gift card from a bakery to purchase a cake. Kids can feel special getting a party of their own and parents can feel relieved being able to recognize their child’s birthday.
Families who face food insecurity often have difficulty providing a birthday party even for their family at home. Friends of mine who are teachers share that they often host (at school) the only party some of their students will get. But, the birthday booth will help kids get a special party with their family.
How can you help? If there isn’t a specific agency in your area that offers a birthday booth, perhaps you can ask a teacher at your child’s school to start a birthday closet. Teachers often know which families need the help and can hand out swag bags. Ask your friends and family to help you stock the closet by dropping off items at your home. Host a party where the guests can help pack the bags then you can make one easy drop off. For around $10 or less you can fill a small gift bag with coordinated essentials like a table cloth, paper plates, cups, napkins, crepe paper, a package of balloons, a birthday banner and a package of birthday candles. All of these items can be found at the dollar store, or on clearance at other retail stores.
If that sounds like too much for you to coordinate and it’s easier for you to make a donation online here are a few places to donate: The Birthday Project Birthday Wishes The Birthday Box
I am very fortunate that I have some seriously generous friends who donated enough supplies to fill 25 swag bags. After rounding up the donations at my home, the girls and I sorted, packed and delivered the bags on their actual birthday. They got to see the birthday booth in action and I felt like we gave an amazing gift on the day I received my two most precious gifts!
On The First Day Of Service Host A Food Drive
On The Second Day of Service Host A Coat Drive
On The Third Day of Service Make A Special Delivery
On The Fourth Day of Service Send Some Cheer
The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.
Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy
16 Comments on On The Fifth Day of Service Give Some Swag
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Roxanne it is a gift fr you to share all these wonderful ideas!
Thanks! It’s truly a gift to be able to share them with my kids!
I love this idea! Often poor children wish that they had a birthday cake and a little party just like other kids. Fantastic!
From goody bag to thoughtful swag bags. Where will the fun and ingeniousness stop.
What wonderful way to spread cheers. I would love to do something like this, too. Thanks for the idea.
What a fun idea for giving! I never would have thought to give away a birthday swag bag, but I would love to receive one. Shopping for a birthday party can get so expensive and I always forget at least one thing.
What a great idea for making kids happy! Birthdays are such an important time for little ones, specially with the peer pressure from their friends. This that you are doing is a wonderful activity.
This is such a thoughtful and wonderful idea! You are truly an inspiration 🙂