Birthday Playgroup
Host the playgroup date nearest your child's birthday, and throw a birthday party during playgroup time. Switch with another parent if necessary to get the best date. If most of the guests at a weekend party would be playgroup pals anyway, this will save you both time and money. Not to mention, the other parents would probably appreciate having a free weekend to do family activities.
Make the playgroup birthday party as elaborate as you want. Have a theme and decorate with streamers, banners and balloons. Serve cake and ice cream on novelty plates. You can even hand out invitations the week before the big date. Just don't forget a pinata!
Group Party
If there are several youngsters born in the same month, consider hosting a combined birthday party. To avoid having to buy numerous gifts for several guests of honor, consider banning all gifts. Alternatively, every playgroup member could pitch in for the purchase of one gift per birthday child, or each parent could bring a gift for her birthday child, or the children could draw names and exchange gifts.
Birthdays are so special for children. Make the fun last even longer by celebrating with your playgroup!
Carren W. Joye is the author of A Stay-at-Home Mom's Complete Guide to Playgroups, available at Amazon.com and your local bookstore. A homeschooling mom of four children, she has successfully founded four playgroups, a homeschool support group, and a homeschool co-op.
