How to Throw a Pinterest-Worthy Birthday Party...or Not

We recently celebrated my son's 2nd birthday. I still can't believe he's 2! We decided to throw together a barbecue dinner with family and friends, keeping it simple.

Everything was perfect. From the invitations to the matching color schemes to the DIY decorations and more...

...just kidding. 

I'm pretty sure the only item considered "Pinterest-worthy" was the mini chair and birthday balloons provided by a friend for a few good snapshots.

First, let me be clear. If you enjoy hosting parties, crafting, decorating and can easily avoid Pinterest fails, this post is NOT aimed toward you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having the desire and know-how to throw a picture perfect party. This post is for those who may feel guilty about NOT throwing the picture perfect party or for those who have no desire to do so.

In preparation for the party, I did what any mom would do. I searched Pinterest for party ideas. So many great ideas! So much cute stuff! So many creative themes! But then it hit me. I had no desire to go through the effort of putting all those great ideas together, unless it was something my toddler would truly enjoy or would make our guests more comfortable.

My favorite author, Gretchen Rubin, wrote The Happiness Project, a book I love and have read numerous times.  My favorite quote from this book is to "Be Gretchen". Without getting into details, it means be yourself! It's easy to look at someone else's life - their family, their job, their hobbies - and think, "I want to do that!". But when we go and do it we don't find any sort of gratification or joy out of it. Yet we still do it, thinking if it's fun for them it should be for us too. Or maybe you feel like it's something you HAVE to do.

Growing up, I was always intrigued by the idea of becoming a successful businesswoman. While I always had the desire to be a wife and mother, I also had this [weird] fantasy of wearing a black pencil skirt with a freshly-ironed blouse and high heels, carrying a cup of coffee in one hand and a cell phone in the other. In other words...getting crap done and looking great while doing it! When I started my first real full-time job, I'm pretty sure I wore high heels once, was thankful I could wear black yoga pants most days of the week, and lived for the occasional Friday we were allowed to wear jeans. The coffee part...that will always be a part of my dream :) Now, I can be a SAHM and successful businesswoman from the comfort of my own home! No pencil skirt required.

That being said, it's so important to just "Be Gretchen". Be YOU! Spending time crafting and putting together the perfect presentation is just not for me and maybe it's not for you either. There's no harm in trying, but it's okay if you find no enjoyment in it whatsoever. If you don't enjoy it and it's not a NEED, don't do it!

Our family and friends were fed, the garage was a mess, cupcake crumbs were everywhere, and we got some great pictures of my growing-too-fast toddler. I never felt like I had to worry about everything being "just right".

Take a break, mom. Take a breath. Spend your time doing what brings you and your child joy.