Twoonie Party: Your Two Cents
January 21st, 2013I suppose I should preface this post with a pertinent piece of information: in Canada we have both $1 and $2 coins – they are called “Loonies” and “Twoonies” respectively. The first is called a “Loonie” because there is a loon on it, and the second is called a “Twoonie” because we had used up all our creativity naming the first. They look like this:
Our strippers benefit from this because no one would throw coins at them so BOOM! $5 in your shorts yo!
Ok, so now that I’ve educated you all, here is what I’m actually wondering about.
My daughters 3rd birthday (I KNOW!) is fast approaching, and her BFF from school shares the same birthday with her. We’ve decided a joint party is in order as most of the guests are daycare pals and this is just easier for everyone. I’ve been thinking a lot about the gifts. I don’t expect gifts from people, but let’s be honest – have you every shown up at a party without a gift, even when people tell you not to bring one? I didn’t think so. However, my child needs nothing. In fact, she needs less. The aftermath of Christmas is still exploding around our home and honestly, stuff is just stuff and she really doesn’t need more make her happy. I’m quite certain her birthday twin is in much the same boat. Add to this the fact that a double birthday party DOES sort of mean double gifts, and I start to get itchy at the thought of the parents trying to sort it out on their end, and us trying to manage it after.
When I was out with my BFF on the weekend, she mentioned that a lot of the kids from her daughters daycare class have started to have “twoonie” parties. That is – they ask each guest to being 2 Twoonies, and one goes into the jar for the birthday girl/boy and the other goes into a jar for a charity. The idea is, you take the jar of twoonies for the birthday girl/boy and apply the money towards a larger gift or even better, an experience (like a show or a membership somewhere), I’d even go so far as to show on the jar what we were saving up for. The other jar is donated to a charity or non-profit that your child would like to give back to, essentially teaching them a lesson. In the case of Everly, I would likely give the money to the Vancouver Aquarium as it’s one of her favourite places to go.
This idea intrigues me, but then I also feel somewhat awkward putting this out there for the parents of our guests. I don’t know why exactly, but to me this seems like we’re asking for money as opposed to allowing someone to choose a gift if they want. All that said, this does take the stress of having to shop for – in this case 2, gifts, wrap them, bring them etc. Add to that the fact the party is only 2 hours and there are close to 15 kids, we wouldn’t even be opening the gifts in front of the kids anyway (can I sidebar for a moment to tell you how much I LOATHE this new tradition of not opening the gifts at the party? While I 100% understand the reason behind it, it just cheapens the whole thing and makes me feel gluttonous and ungrateful). This would mean the double birthday party wouldn’t cost more than $8 for the daycare kids, and would eliminate the awkward feeling of not bringing a gift for the birthday girl who didn’t invite you, for those friends that aren’t shared.
So what say you bloggy friends, what do YOU think about this idea? What would your honest reaction be to receiving an invite with this idea on it? Would you be relieved, or put out?
Tags: Advice, Good Times, Party Time, Threenager, Toddlerisms
I think this is a FABULOUS idea!! I wish I’d heard about it before now, as Emmerson’s birthday is Friday!!
When Chase turned 6, we told him no party. It is so easy for us to have parties for him because our friends all have children the same age and his birthday is in June. Because he was switching schools after SK, we decided to give in and let him invite the boys from school. We had a long conversation about how he doesn’t ‘need’ anything, really and how it would be a nice idea to do something for someone else. So, his invites stressed donations to the hospital in lieu of gift is preferable. People still came with smaller gifts for him and he donated almost $600 to the peds unit. Awesomeness. (Note: Yes he collected an insane amount for 15 or so kids. One friend’s family gave $100 because they thought it was an awesome idea)
The Twoonie idea ROCKS. This way they are donating to a cause, but don’t feel ‘badly’ about not buying a gift. It is fantastinc all the way around!! I say go for it, Mama! I would be THRILLED for my child to receive an invite with this stipulation. I wouldn’t feel as if it was asking for money instead, at all. People get it. Kids have SO much!!
Awesome! I just don’t know a lot of these parents that well, and I don’t want to offend anyone or make it awkward. I wasn’t even necessarily going to throw her a party but since she has been invited to so many of these kids, and her birthday twin/BFF and her are hoping to share, I really think I need to.
And the thing is, she will still get gifts from all the grandparents etc so, ya…..
Very similar to this. Very popular in Toronto
http://echoage.com/
Thanks so much, that looks great too.
Not entirely on topic but when I was in middle school I went to camp every summer and when my Canadian friends told me about twoonies I thought they were the coolest. things. ever. One of them even gave me one and I still have it to this day. I’m such a nerd. And probably also a hoarder.
I think the party idea is great really great actually. Takes the pressure off picking gifts. But I’m also just a mom to be so I can’t say if my opinion would be the general consensus.
LOL that’s awesome!!
I think it is a great idea but I am also super progressive and cool. Other options I have seen:
Book swap: Bring a book. Big table of books. Everyone leaves with a new book. Boom. Could even regift here. I think this is big because you a) give a gift of reading b) get rid of a book you might not like c) don’t need “goody bags” of crap to send hom d) everybody gets something (i like this when they are little and don’t “get it)
Canned goods: Bring a canned good and take kids to drop it off at shelter or whatnot
Brandy´s last [type] ..Things Always Be Changin and Junk
you ARE super progressive and cool.
I like your book idea, but with this being a joint birthday I don’t want to make it too much to think about, or way over hippy the place
I think this is a great idea! I’m a new mom so no birthday parties yet but I will definitely keep this in mind when the time comes. I would personally feel really relieved to receive an invitation with this idea. For a busy mom just having to bring a few toonies instead of having to go out and shop and wrap gifts would be amazing! Plus I love that it teaches the kids to appreciate what they have and to give back.
I like this idea. This year we asked that there be no gifts, but I think some parents felt awkward not bringing anything – a toonie party might have gone over better. My favourite party idea was where we were all asked to bring half a dozen of a small item, preferably handmade, and then the items were all distributed into goodie bags that the kids took home. Everyone brought neat things like homemade crayons and homemade play dough – I always thought that was such a fun idea, but you need a crowd of crafty moms to pull it off.
Tamara´s last [type] ..Sleep or Sweep?
LOVE this idea. I used echoage for Emma’s 6th bday, I think and it was a hit. This seems easier as no one has to sign up or anything. I love it. I love making things simple for people and for myself and teaching my kid that celebrations are about people and not the stuff.
Go for it, mama!
shannon´s last [type] ..data with a soul
My son just celebrated his 3rd birthday, and each year I have specified on the invite that we kindly request no gifts, and with the exception of one family that didn’t read the evite, everyone has complied. We do a seperate friend party and family party though, so he does get a few gifts (which admit, gifts are fun any everyone loves opening things), but don’t drown in an excess of plastic.
I also strongly object to the custom of giving out crappy goody bags to all the guests, so don’t do that.
I like to give out edible gift bags (cookies or something) or give the something to make at the party, then take home. On her first birthday my friend who does a kids art class brought canvas, and everyone made hand print paintings and that was their goodie bag so to speak
Totally and completely off topic but….strippers have sticks with a string tied one end. At the end of that string? A magnet.
At least they did the last time I was at a strip club….
On topic: I think the twoonie party is a great idea all around!
Rebecca´s last [type] ..Conversations with Kadyn…
Lol. I haven’t been to the strippers in many many years ha.