Affordable & Fancy: Summer Birthday Idea for a Teen Girl

Once upon a time, in the 1900s, fancy birthday parties were held at McDonalds.

I know, I know. As you sip your oat milk latte and crunch cage-free cashews, it’s difficult to imagine. But, trust me, Ronald McDonald was the birthday party Santa.

In fact, my own home birthday ragers were marked by peanut hunts. Read that again.

My party-planning padre tossed peanuts into our yard. And we scoured the lawn for the nutty loot. The game made him a legend. No one died from nut allergies. These were wild times.

Fast forward to present day. *sigh*

Kid birthdays are the Cirque du Soleil of parties. The pressure to perfectly execute a synchronized themed soiree for my social media offspring is, well, overwhelming.

. . . Which is in keeping with the spirit of the actual birth day: I labor for hours to produce something worthy of professional photography. Then, I pass out from exhaustion, in elastic waistband pants to reward my work with a not-small piece of cake.

CHS moms, you must feel this?

Okay. Brace yourself.

Unpopular opinion: Every kid’s birthday does not require a special trip, an airplane flight, a theater rental, or dinner at FIG for their 14 friends. It is entirely possible to celebrate your child without taking out a second mortgage.

Maybe it’s time to be fancy like McDonalds. (again) So to speak.

Summer Birthday Idea for a Teen Girl

Here’s one quick suggestion for a summer birthday soiree that won’t require you to sell a kidney.

For my (teen) daughter’s recent birthday, we hosted a bouquet-making party on our lanai (porch). Sourcing pretty cotton tablecloths from the local Goodwill, we transformed our patio furniture and folding tables.

Then, we decorated by hanging fresh flowers — forming twine banners, and adding floral arrangements in crystal vases (mainly sourced from Goodwill).

After extensive research, Trader Joe’s won “most economical option” for dozens of fresh florals, which they kindly loaded in plastic containers for easy transport. Vintage mason jars (purchased on FB marketplace for about $10 total) served as vases for the guests. Each girl created a beautiful bouquet to take home.

Later, we served a sundry of small bites. I did make the desserts and a few appetizers, but I’m no Emeril.

There’s no shame in pre-made game. Costco and (again) Trader Joe’s offer affordable appetizers on a budget. The accompanying lemonade punch*, flower-shaped sugar cookies, and chocolate cupcakes were enjoyed at leisure.

*Here’s how to make our easy Lemonade Punch:

• 2 quarts prepared lemonade (Country Time is a great option)
• 4 cups pineapple juice
• 4 cups Sprite or Lemon Lime soda
• garnish with lemon slices

Finally, after the bouquets were complete, the girls competed in a neighborhood photo scavenger hunt which required a homemade music video as well. Winners enjoyed a free Starbucks drink.

And everyone won. Truly.

I mean, I didn’t give a Starbucks to each girl. (No participation trophies on my watch.) But there was so much laughter. It was palpable. It was beautiful.

Now, look.

I wish I was a baller.

I wish I had a pool with a hot tub, boat with a dock, and a house a little taller. (wink)

But, I don’t. And that’s okay.

Because hospitality is something everyone can have and share.

So.

Let’s bring low-key birthdays back during hot mom summer!

Let’s be fancy like McDonalds again.

And let’s throw on our elastic waistband pants and par-tay.

“I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 8:15

Do you have any other simple, affordable summer birthday ideas for a teen girl? Share with us in the comments below!