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Waldorf celebrations

Waldorf inspired birthdays


 
In some ways we have taken a baby steps approach to bringing Waldorf into our home. A gradual shift over time, on a journey that continues. So slowly we have shifted how we celebrate the children’s birthdays.

Trying to keep them simpler, smaller and building on our family traditions as we go. Using special items to mark the occasion, like a beautiful birthday ring, a birthday crown and birthday bunting. Special items that the children can come to expect, and that help mark their special days.

Another change is how we give our children birthday gifts. We try to keep our gift giving simple, include handmade presents and mostly toys from natural materials. We also use a gift giving philosophy of…
 

 
This keeps us focused on choosing special gifts and making good decisions. In the past I think I found it a little too easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying presents, and not always choosing the best options for our family. So now we try to be more thoughtful and purposeful in our choices.

Dino Boy adores Lego, and it keeps him occupied for long stretches of time. Building his own creations and playing with them. Or building things with his dad *smile*

So this birthday for something they want we gave him a new set of Lego…

We used to have a plastic clam sandpit, but the elements caused it to crack and break. So we’ve been thinking for some time that we would like to have a new sandpit in the yard. Sandpits are wonderful for ourside play! And then Husband of Mine found this wonderful one ~ with little seats that fold out into a lid ~ online for a bargain price… so this is Dino Boy’s something they need…

For Dino Boy’s something to wear I knitted him this gorgeous Griffin vest ~ wonderful for Spring and Autumn. Knitted with dreamy Noro yarn. And he adores it, particularly the pocket to keep his little hands in *happy sigh*

For something to read this fun and sweet book Mudpies and Other Recipes is a lovely choice. It makes us giggle and has inspired some wonderfully creative play outside!


And for this birthday, we decided to give him something to create… because he now enjoys drawing at his Waldorf preschool with lovely beeswax crayons and we thought it would be good to encourage him to continue the creative process at home.
 

We feel that this new approach to gift giving has helped make our family birthday celebrations more meaningful.

Do you have a gift giving philosophy?
How do you celebrate your family birthdays?

Happy celebrations,
Kelly



This post was part of the series
‘How to bring Waldorf into your home…’
by Kelly of Happy Whimsical Hearts

You can see more from this series here.

 

October 10, 2013 by

What is it about Waldorf?

So, what is it about Waldorf?

What has drawn my family to this lifestyle and educational path?

As I learn more about Waldorf, the more I identify with this approach, the more I aspire to parent in this way. So I thought I would share what it is about Waldorf that resonates with me and why I think it suits my family {and I should say, there is still so much for me to learn!}

 

Rhythm

Having a rhythm to our days helps them flow, with clear points anchoring the day, but with flexibility should inspiration strike or something unexpected come up.

Our rhythm provides a sense of balance, times of breathing in {time with me on a set task} and breathing out {free play}. And we often transition using song.

My children seem to thrive with the expectation of what will occur during their days. And love knowing tomorrow is bread day, drawing day or daddy day.

Even as a working mum having a rhythm through the evening to bedtime gives me time to reconnect with them… using candlelight to anchor us and provide moments of intention.

 

 

Play

When visiting a Waldorf school for the first time, the beauty of the play spaces opened my eyes to a different way to inspire play.

With beautiful & simple toys made from natural materials. Bountiful baskets of loose parts such as blocks or shells for open ended play. Together with homely areas with play kitchens and dolls for play through imitation…

There is a focus on unstructured play and unscheduled time… to allow them to be in their bodies and go at their own pace, immersing themselves in their play… as if in their own little worlds.

 

 

 
Nature & the seasons
There is a focus on nature and the seasons through daily awareness and appreciation.

With the change of the seasons come stories, songs, crafts and baking that hold the season in reverence. And with this comes an understanding of the World around us.

I hear my son playing, and as he does he sings to himself about falling leaves in Autumn, butterflies in Spring, sunshine in Summer, before turning to King Winter during the cold months.

For me, this focus on nature and the seasons has elements of ritual… of honouring Mother Earth and the natural rhythm.

Creativity

Embracing Waldorf has brought creativity into our home. Creativity that leads to beauty and inspires wonder.

Before starting our little family, I would not have described myself as a creative person.. not since I was a child myself!

Making my own toys, and rediscovering handmade has helped me appreciate the value of things, to be satisfied with less and reawakened my creative spark.

And my children amaze me with their own creativity, which I observe in their play, their drawings and their crafts. Thank goodness for creativity!

 

Festivals & celebration

With Waldorf there is great emphasis on celebrating the festivals of the year, including Easter, Christmas and birthdays.

These celebrations provide special anchor points throughout the year. They help build family and community traditions ~ with a Waldorf twist!

Such as bringing special homemade aspects to these celebrations… like a homemade birthday banner, or gingerbread house…

And the night before my children’s birthday, I tell them about the day they were born ~ a story they love!

Simplicity

For me and my family, Waldorf brings a general slowing down, in great contrast to my time outside the home for work. And a gentleness that I hope provides my children with support and love in their endeavours.

So we aim for simplicity, in our home generally, with our toys, our books {okay, I struggle a bit with this one!} and with our thoughts and intentions.

We try to ensure our days are not filled to the brim, allowing time for whatever may come ~ a challenging aspiration in our culture of busy fullness.

And so to us, Waldorf is a work in progress. With areas for improvement, like a reduction in screen time.. where we aim to find a balance that works for us.

 
I hope you enjoyed this little taste of what it is about Waldorf that we love

Now, I’d love to know…
What do you love about Waldorf?
Or if you are new to Waldorf, what would you like to hear more about?

Warmly, Kelly

This post was part of the series
‘How to bring Waldorf into your home…’
by Kelly of Happy Whimsical Hearts

You can see more from this series here.

September 26, 2013 by