By Jaimi Erickson
Contributing Writer
Every November, the date is set for the event of the year — the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. As an active-duty military spouse, I looked forward to it with so much anticipation. It was an excuse to buy a beautiful gown, dress up, and enjoy an event highlighting the history of the Marine Corps.
Birthday balls are something military spouses miss when our servicemember is deployed, when we are too pregnant to waddle across the floor in a sparkly ball gown, or when it is canceled for unforeseen reasons. The year after the COVID lockdown, just as we were all coming back out into the open again, the birthday ball was canceled at the last minute.
We had already asked the grandparents to come out to stay with the kids — they serve as our babysitters every year. We could always rely on them to travel hundreds of miles so my husband and I could attend the annual ball.
My husband and I always tried to make the Marine Corps Birthday Ball into a little getaway. When it took place in Las Vegas one year, we attended shows and concerts and took strolls through the resorts eating the most delicious food. When the event was held in Washington, DC, we stayed at a hotel within walking distance of the venue, the Potomac River, and new restaurants.
We had already asked the grandparents to come out to stay with the kids — they serve as our babysitters every year. We could always rely on them to travel hundreds of miles so my husband and I could attend the annual ball.
My husband and I always tried to make the Marine Corps Birthday Ball into a little getaway. When it took place in Las Vegas one year, we attended shows and concerts and took strolls through the resorts eating the most delicious food. When the event was held in Washington, DC, we stayed at a hotel within walking distance of the venue, the Potomac River, and new restaurants.
The year the ball was canceled, it felt wrong to let the Marine Corps birthday pass without celebration. We could have simply noted the date and had a special dessert, but the annual event needed more celebration than that. The Marine Corps Birthday celebration is practically sacred to Marines and their spouses. It is one night every year that we can gather to feel the pride in service to our country. We can revel in the shared sacrifice that all the families participate in together.
Celebrating a Military Birthday Ball at Home with Kids
My first step to preparing for the ball at home was to print out the Marine Corps birthday ball narrator script, which is readily available online. After looking through it, I made a list of special items to include in our event. We would need party plates, a gift for each person, a cake, and my husband’s sword. The sword is part of the Marine Corps uniform, so we had it hanging on the wall already.
I ordered party plates with the Marine Corps symbol from The Marine Shop. The store also offers all kinds of gifts perfect to make the ball special, so I ordered coins as our ball gift, since they are an iconic part of military life. Commanders give challenge coins to Marines as a special award when they perform their duties exceptionally well. I also ordered a cake topper that was designed for the ball with the Marine Corps colors. My next step was to plan the food and bake a cake.
We cooked a special dinner that was fancier than what we normally eat, and what really took the spotlight were the ceremony details we experienced together. The kids took turns reading through the narrator’s script. We also viewed the Commandant’s Birthday Message that is always posted online before ball season begins.
After dinner, we celebrated the oldest and youngest Marine present — the oldest and youngest was my husband since he was the only Marine present. Then, since the cake is always cut with a sword at the Marine Corps Ball, he used his big shiny sword to cut our cake. The kids loved seeing it get covered in icing.
My in-laws still came to visit that year, so they were able to experience the fun with us. Our Marine Corps Birthday Ball celebration was homemade, but it was special. We took the real ball’s cancelation and turned it into a wonderful celebration that our whole family shared together.
Over the past few years, the price to attend a Marine Corps Birthday Ball has risen dramatically, making it nearly impossible to afford without budgeting ahead and using smart financial planning. Although I would always recommend experiencing a military birthday ball in person, if you are unable to attend — whether by choice or chance — marking the occasion at home is a great alternative that feels even more special.
About Jaimi Erickson
Jaimi is a mom of 4, military wife, and writer. She blogs about motherhood, kids activities and homemaking tips at The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.
