Sofie had her birthday Fairy Princess Tea Party last weekend, which turned out really well. It was my spin on my three-year-old’s current obsession with princesses —I didn’t want to do it Disney style. (Read my previous post on thoughts behind children’s birthday parties.)
The best part was how the invited families really got into the donation idea — we asked for donations toward pediatric AIDS in lieu of birthday gifts and in honor of Princess Diana, since the girls were learning about real-life princesses. Everyone donated, with some families saying it inspired them for their kid’s birthday.
I’m not sure how much Sofie understood, but she was excited to learn that Diana helped sick children and that her friends could too. This being her first birthday with friends, she didn’t really expect presents.
Sofie’s birthday book of real-life princesses
The party favor was a book I made that focused on five real-life princesses, from Queen Victoria who helped build an empire to Princess Ayesha of India who started a school for girls. I also gave each of the girls a pair of fairy wings.
Aside from the good cause, the donations meant we had no gift wrap, no product packaging and no fights over new toys! I’m thinking this is definitely the way to go for Christmas too.
