Blow out the candles and make a birthday wish...
How simple does it get? We put out the fire and then we get to ask for what ever
we want.You can have fun with wishing.
No matter what the age or
the occasion, incorporating a birthday wish can be the highlight of another standard
birthday.
For the little kids it is a big deal. So make it one!
Start early and tell them about wishes, What they are
how you do it and what are some of the things you can wish for. Kids don't
need any excuse to get into the spirit of wishing. They live in fantasy and
make-believe, to them IT'S REAL!!
Why?
Because they believe it is. All their stories and
fairytales have wishes as part of the core message. Think Shrek, Monsters Inc,
Bugs Life, Toy Story, any Nursery Rhyme and on and on.
This changes on the road to adult hood.
Teenagers and Adults
are less enthusiastic and may view the whole birthday wish thing as something for kids.
So, you have to reframe the
wishing for them.
What does that mean?
Simply, make it more adult. Place it in adult
terms. Things like: Toasts, Prayers, Oaths, Pledges, Silent Thoughts,
Reflection, Magic Moment, Passing it On, Chant, Mantra....get the picture?
It's all in the
delivery. And that means leadership by you or the designated MC for the party.
What Teenagers and
Adults have to believe in, is not the wishing, it is the WISHER the one
leading them through it.
How about this as a replacement for Hip Hip Hooray
at the end of Happy Birthday
to You:
| " OK, dear and lovely
friends of Jane, we've laughed, we've eaten, we've drank (ha ha) now
join with me in wishing Jane the best for the next year.
Please repeat "Best Wishes Jane!!"
in a loud and clear voice after me....
For health this year...."Best Wishes Jane!!"
For love and friendship..."Best Wishes Jane!!"
For getting all you deserve, we sincerely say..."Best Wishes Jane!!"
Yay!! |
What do you think? Not hard to say. Not hard to do. A little different and Jane
feels a little special.
Harder to do with adults? Sure. Depends on the group and the leadership.
The bonus?? Would be very unique and highly memorable.
Wish away ....
For kids the birthday
wish can be the most special part of the day that
is special just for them. It's like a bonus. "Wow, today is my day and they give
me a wish".
The challenge comes as they grow up.
Doesn't have to be only for the birthday child. As they
grow the concept of a shared birthday wish might be nice. Not necessarily shared as in
"What did you wish for?", rather we can share the time and wish about something
together.
Some ways to vary it as you get older so that
it doesn't lose its significance.
Use a feather - blow it up in air and where it falls, the
closest person makes a wish.
Pass the Cake around everyone get to blow out he
candles! faster and faster as it moves from person to person.
Musical Wishes
Like musical chairs. The one left standing gets to
make a birthday wish before they are out.
Water Wishes
At a pool party shouting wishes under water or with a mouthful of water
gargling!
Wish Shower
Shouting wishes all at once. - the person gets loaded with 15sec of well wishes
for the next year from the guests.
Tie in a Birthday Wish with the
theme.
As an idea that can be part of a theme, wishing is superb.
It can be a highlight of a party: think about those Pirates of
Pennsylvania who drink a toast of blood wine (red cool aid or cordial) and
pledge their allegiance to Black Eyed Ben the 6 yr old whose birthday it is.
The Pirates Pledge can be talked about at the
beginning of the day and referred to often as it is built up. Then as they come
to get a bit of cake they must make the pledge -- a wish in disguise -- walk the
plank and join Blacked Eyed Ben as a fully fledged pirate.
Playing with the elements can adjust the whole
concept to different groups, ages and tastes.
The younger the child though, the more fuss and the more
exclusive is the idea that: THEY ARE THE ONLY ONE TODAY TO HAVE THE GIFT OF
WISHING. A very powerful, feel good notion. And very special to their
development of a healthy self-image.
Should it be any less so for adults?
Nah!! I only wish they could see it that way
sometimes!
Best Birthday SUGGESTION:
Only cynical people don't believe in wishing Tinker belle! Don't invite those
who will scoff at the idea of wishing or it's adult variations.
Build up to the wish, make it a special one. Ask them about it later on -- how
did it feel, what would they think if it came true etc.
This reinforces the notion that it's cool to wish. |
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