I’m declaring “non-Pinteresty” a new word. Somebody call the Urban Dictionary guys.
One of my goals for 2017 is to simplify and back off of social media a bit, and I don’t think I’m alone. It seems like moms (and women, in general) are reaching their limit with the fake facade presented on social media – it’s interesting how many friends I’ve seen lately declare they are taking a break from Facebook, and how many articles I’ve come across of people protesting the same. Over-the-top Pinterest parties, fabulous vacation pictures on Facebook, clean and organized homes on Instagram. It looks good, but rarely does it tell the whole story, my friends. Somewhere in the corner are 3 bags of trash waiting to be taken out (when does the husband get home, again?), a pile of toys, a stack of homework papers and 14 pairs of shoes that seem to be multiplying.
It’s become rather exhausting to constantly see it all and try to keep up. And I fully admit to being sucked in. Do you know why you have only seen 2 rooms in my house on social media? Because they are the only ones that I have spent time remodeling! The others aren’t done yet, therefore are not worthy of social media status, naturally. I mean, how embarrassing.
Anyway, I suspect we could talk about this for a very long time, but my point is that this year I think we should all take a step back toward reality by way of simplifying. Let’s do less and enjoy more. I’m jumping in by throwing my first “non-Pinteresty” birthday party of the new year… you won’t see little food signs with clever names for each dish, custom-made party invites or even a party theme, for that matter. But you will see a lot of smiles and a more relaxed me.
My daughter’s January birthday is always hard for me. We are just getting past the busyness of the holidays and I rarely have it in me to plan a party. But I usually put on my big girl pants and do it up anyway, Pinterest-style (even though it usually doesn’t come to fruition until February when post-holiday coma begins to subside).
This year, as I was perusing the Dollar Spot at Target (which I – like the rest of you – rarely do…) I came across an entire section of crazy cute birthday decor and I was all, Y E S.
So I bought some balloons, a “Happy Birthday” banner, a balloon “Hooray” banner, some cake toppers and some streamers. Then I made my way over the invite section and picked up some fill-in party invites (for shame!).
(party invites from Target)
I convinced my daughter to invite 7 of her closest friends (this was a very difficult task for a 7-year-old, btw) to come over for an afternoon “slumber party” where they would wear pjs, paint their nails and watch a movie. She was thrilled. I was thrilled. All was right with the world.
We headed back to Target the morning of the party (See? I told you I was taking it easy this year. Might as well add “procrastinate” to the list of resolutions) and picked up the party favors and some sparkly pink plates and napkins. The Dollar Spot had little sequin zipper pouches with their Valentine’s Day decor, so we grabbed one for each of the girls. Then we picked up some $2 nail polish and a package of nail files and filled each pouch with the supplies and a handwritten “thank you” note from the birthday girl. So each girl received a pouch for our nail painting session and then they got to take it home after the party.
Now, jury’s still out on why I thought painting nails alone (I was the only adult there at the time) with 6 and 7 year old’s was a good idea… I didn’t quite think that one through. We ended up with paint on legs and hands and feet (more so than on the nails) and I used up all my nail polish remover trying to do “touch-ups”… which was really more like “let me remove that blob of blue nail polish from your finger while I try and guess where your nail lies beneath it”… but in the end, everyone had painted nails and toes and no major tragedies occurred. I was SO glad I had thought to lay down a disposable table cloth for them to paint on.
What did I make for food, you ask? Nothing. I freaking bought Papa Murphy’s take n’ bake pizza. #winning
Smiles ensued:
And I didn’t even bake a cake. I decided to make an ice cream sandwich cake (made with 3 ingredients) that I had seen on Pinterest… Ok, so I did use Pinterest for one thing – don’t judge me. It was so good and so easy! The girls were crazy about it. You can find the recipe here.
Moral of the story: This was the easiest party I have ever thrown. I even had the whole house picked up before they finished their movie.
I highly suggest you follow suit and throw a non-Pinteresty birthday party this year. Go to Target for decorations. Order some pizza. Feed the kids ice cream and turn on a movie.
It’s all the rage in 2017.
[ Sidenote ] Throwing a non-pinteresty party will not, however, slow time. Your kids will still turn 7. You will still cry because their new front teeth make them look old and because that freckle by their eye is the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen. And because they make you a “thank you for my birthday party” card before the party even starts.
I love you, Amelia Grace.