Go to a concert or theatre show. Live performances, be they comedy, ballet, music, or stage plays, are a great way to make an outing special. Have a picnic. Gathering some friends and family and having a leisurely afternoon sitting on a blanket outdoors is a perfect way to enjoy the simple pleasures of your day. Take a blanket, some drinks and snacks, and find a scenic spot. If you’re feeling a bit fancy, wine, cheese, and fruit are ideal for picnics.
Plan to cook a favorite meal. Stay in and watch those rental movies you haven’t had the time for. Go for a swim or a walk, and take the opportunity to relax and take in the fresh air. Sleep in. Have a big breakfast and relax.
Being a motivator. Writing out a list of things you want to do in life can help motivate you toward positive action. Helping you feel successful and more accomplished. Checking items off your bucket list shows you proof that you’re getting things done. Increasing focus. A list will help you have a clearer sense of what you want, and what you want to do with your life. [3] X Research source
When planning your party, have a total budget you want to spend on everything. Then, make a list of all the different vendors that you’re going to need to hire: venue, caterer, florist, musicians, etc. , and then make a budget for each particular category. Your list should include things that you can do without too much expense or time. Include things you can do without leaving your hometown or spending less that $100. [4] X Research source
Look at ways to do the things you’ve always wanted to do on a budget. There are lots of helpful resources out there to make it easier (and cheaper) to get in that trip around the world you’ve always dreamed of, or snorkeling in the Maldives, or even just cooking that special dish you’ve always wanted to try. If you want to do something major, figure out how much money you can afford to spend on a special milestone birthday. Select a few possibilities from your list that you think may be within your price range. Narrow down ideas by looking at any travel expenses, ticket prices, lodging, and food expenses that each item will entail, and deciding if they will be possibilities.
At the very least, you’ll want to provide some refreshments to your guests. Know how many people you plan to invite and, depending on what sort of refreshments you decide on, crunch the numbers to be sure you’ll have enough food and drink for everyone. Decide what you’ll serve. Are you having a full dinner or just drinks and appetizers? Think of who’s coming and consider what they might like. Are your guests more carnivores? Vegetarians? If you know your guests’ preferences, use that knowledge. Is it winter? Summer? Consider the climate when planning your party. If it’s cold, warm dips and hot bread can be a relatively simple path. If your birthday falls in the warmer months (or if you live in a hotter region) cool drinks, fruits, and cold dips are great. Backyards are made for parties. Be sure that if there’s a chance of rain, you have a backup plan-also consider whether your guests will be exposed to the sun, and look at possibilities for adding some shade if needed. Umbrellas or canopies can be rented at most party supply stores.
A good birthday party involves guests enjoying themselves and celebrating the presence of the birthday girl or boy. Simple as that. Activities and even food and drink are secondary to the general ambience-people having a good time. Whether it’s a kid’s party, a backyard barbeque, or a champagne and hors’d’ouvres affair, creating a relaxing atmosphere where guests can mingle and enjoy life is the purpose. No one likes to feel that something is expected of them at a party. Guests often like to help out with what needs doing at a party; enlisting offered help is great, but don’t demand your guest’s appreciation. Your guests should simply be allowed to enjoy the opportunity to spend social time with each other and you.
If you’re going for a full meal at your party, potlucks are a great way to make your friends a part of the cooking. Ask everyone to bring a dish, or create a signup sheet with an online invite service for coordination of dishes. Know anyone who is known amongst friends for a special dish or dessert they make? Ask them if they would like to make it for your birthday-they’ll feel appreciated, and so will you!
Be flexible. As with any event planning, don’t expect every bit of minutiae to happen exactly as you envisioned it down to each minute or birthday candle. Remember-it’s about having a good time and celebrating, not about accomplishing a task. When things don’t go exactly as you planned, go with it-it’s your birthday, and, well, you can cry if you want to, but there’s really no need. Everyone will have a good time if the host or guest of honor is relaxed and enjoying themselves-so that’s all you need to worry about. Things happening differently than planned makes for a great story! So when the section of birthday cake with your name on it falls off the serving knife, don’t sweat it.
Going out to breakfast, brunch, or lunch is a good way to spend time with close friends and family members before you get on to the later events of your birthday. [6] X Research source Pamper yourself also! Get some quality spa or massage time, or have a luxurious bath followed by chocolates.
If possible, get your birthday (or the day after if you’re planning on being up late) off from work. Take the day and enjoy it. Let yourself slide a little. On your birthday, especially if you’re a big achiever who likes to be on top of everything, let yourself go just a little. Don’t feel like you need to accomplish every little chore on your birthday. It’ll be good for you.
