Birthday Boy
My son’s seventh birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. He’s excited about it of course, but I’m a bit worried because we’re strapped for cash these days. My hours at work have been reduced by half, and my husband hasn’t had overtime in more than a year. Yes, we’re grateful to still have jobs at all, but we’re just barely getting by now. That means I might have to scrap plans to buy toys for the birthday and instead go with more useful things like new socks and shoes. Ugh, that is so boring, I know, but we don’t have much choice here. 
I think my mom should be able to buy at least one fun item, so that should make it a little better. Oh, well, I’ve always said I don’t want to spoil my son. This next birthday will be a good test of that, right?
Sometimes the best things in life are free! I know that’s an old quote that you’ve heard before, but you could apply it to your son’s birthday. I know you probably already give him a lot of your time and attention. But you could give him “time coupons” and then be really creative in coming up with fun things to do with him for his birthday–above and beyond the time you usually spend with him. Example: go on a “Walk and Talk and Exercise” with him. Walk, talk, and every now and then you do some jumps, etc, (like 3 jumping jacks) and then he copies you and does them. Or he can come up with some “moves” and you copy him. Another example: write things on slips of paper and hide them throughout the house. One slip can lead to another slip, etc. Then write a promise on another slip, like having his favorite dessert for dinner, etc. Another example: Take your son to something free in your area. Whatever you do, your son will absolutely LOVE cashing in his “time coupons” birthday present! (And I know you can come up with better examples than I could!)
Thanks, those are some great ideas! I love the treasure hunt one, and will probably use that this year