Birthday traditions

I've been trying to come up with ideas on some birthday traditions that we can start with my son's 1st birthday. I'd love to hear about any family traditions that you might have. I think it was Tara(?) who has the birthday morning cinnamon rolls and door decorations. I love that idea!

I am planning on getting a birthday plate with ds's name & birthdate painted on it. A friend of mine made her sons crowns to wear on their birthdays. She also has party guests sign a photo mat and frames a photo from that year's birthday party.

[Vanquisher]

I let my kids choose whatever dinner they want - anything goes - and I will make it. I let them choose their cake and theme.

I measure them on my wall to see how much they have grown.

I also make sure to get lots of cuddles in and I tell them about the day they were born and how special they are to me.

Feeling like my traditions are a little loserish when compared to door decorating!

[SueC]

Our tradition is that the birthday boy or girl (or mom or dad) gets breakfast in bed. I'd love to establish more, though--I really like Tara's door decorationg idea.

My brother and I always went into my parents' room first thing in the morning to open gifts.
We also got to chose whatever dinner we wanted (this turned into KFC for both my brother and me - it was the only time fast food was allowed, and a tradition we both continue now that we're on the downward slope to 30). Dessert was a cake of our chosing, baked by my mom.
If it was a schoolday, my mom would slip notes into our lunch bags or textbooks.
Birthday parties were always creative (seasonally themed) and we got to chose between a big party, or a trip with a few select friends.

My mom always let us pick what we wanted for dinner and the exact type of cake she'd make for us. That tradition has moved from my childhood family to my married (but no kids yet) family and my husband loves it.