Yes Days!

I have seven children. Most of our children have birthday buddies. What I mean is we have a March 24 and a March 25, a Nov 17 and a Nov 18, a Dec 2 and a Dec 3. This means that birthdays were not feeling as special because parties were shared and, let’s be honest, they were hugely expensive leaving less money to spoil the actual birthday kid. And with 5 of our home’s 9 birthdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, something had to give. 

I was sick of stressing over party themes that encompassed two children’s interests. I was sick of inviting friends and family over for ANOTHER party or stressing over the expense of the parties only to have a small turnout because it was summer or the holidays. For us, parties weren’t working out anymore. I didn’t want to compromise on the experiences my children were having to satisfy some need to include acquaintances in our celebrations.

yes daysIt was then that the idea of “Yes days!” was born. I can’t take credit for the idea, though to be honest I don’t remember where I came across it, but when I explained it to my children, they were all on board. 

What is a Yes Day? 

A ‘Yes Day!’ is a day when you, the birthday person, get to choose your favorite activity, your favorite dinner, and your favorite dessert for the whole family to go out together and enjoy. 

How do they know what choices they have, or is it a free for all?

In our family, we have a special sheet with all of their choices, but we are open to considering all options. 

Is it just for immediate family?

Who you invite is up to you! You get to make all the rules. For us, if the kids wanted to invite their cousins or a friend from school, we would be okay with that. But typically just our 7 children come along. We’re a gang of our own. 

What if the birthday person doesn’t want a “Yes Day!?” Is there another choice?

In our house, we offer either a Yes Day! or $150 for a gift. I was sure the older kids would choose the money, but so far they’ve all chosen a day of their own. We have found each Yes Day! averages about $200 for a family of our size, but you can adjust the list you offer for your family size, budget, and preferences. 

That’s it! It’s so easy! Everyone gets the choice of a gift they really want, within the budget, or an experience they can share with their family. They get to choose what makes them happy and that makes me happy.

Here’s what our plan sheet offers:

Let’s plan a day JUST FOR YOU!

The Plan

Look over the choices below and choose ONE from EACH category to handpick your very own “YES DAY!” You’ll get to choose one activity, one meal, and one birthday dessert to share with your family. Enjoy!

Activity

  1. Zoo (Baton Rouge, Alexandria, NOLA or Lafayette)
  2. Mini Golf: Kajun Fast Track or Lunar Golf
  3. Chuck – E – Cheese
  4. Movie Theater
  5. Children’s Museum and Science Museum
  6. Roller Skating / Ice Skating
  7. Trampoline or Fun Jump Zone
  8. Go Wild Safari
  9. Rock Climbing
  10. Escape Room
  11. Suggest Your Own – Mom & Dad will consider it based on cost/ location/ enjoyment for all

Birthday Meal

  1. Pizza – buffet, delivery, or sit down
  2. Burgers (McDonald’s, Broaddus, etc)
  3. Chick Fil A
  4. Mexican Food
  5. Buffalo Wild Wings
  6. Chinese Buffet
  7. Hibachi / Sushi
  8. Your favorite homecooked meal
  9. Olive Garden
  10. Suggest Your Own – Mom & Dad will consider it based on cost/ location/ enjoyment for all

Birthday Sweet Treat

  1. Cupcakes
  2. Froyo
  3. Ice Cream
  4. Pancakes
  5. Candyland
  6. Indulge
  7. Suggest Your Own – Mom & Dad will consider it based on cost/ location/ enjoyment for all

Does your family do Yes Days! for special occasions? Any fun ideas we should add to the list? 

Sarah
Sarah is a Cecilia native currently living in Lafayette's oil center. She's the mom to a Brady Bunch of 7 children ages 13 to 5. Married to Clint, her 'environmental superhero', they enjoy traveling often. The self-proclaimed queen of big family travel planning; she's also taken up GLAMPing as she explores the State and National Parks as part of their year of road schooling. Sarah started Real Product Talk, a product testing and secret shopper service, with her online bestie of 10+ years in 2014 and continues to grow as a major player in her field. When she's not working from home, she's can be found serving the less fortunate in Lafayette alongside Lafayette Mom Writer Ali Comeaux and their non-profit, With Love, Acadiana.

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