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A fun guide to planning the perfect birthday, no matter how old you are
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Wanting to have an awesome birthday, but don't know how to turn this vision into reality? There are a variety of ways to celebrate, ranging from the relaxing to the raucous! Here are some helpful suggestions to help you to have a great birthday full of family, friends, and fun.
Steps
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Section 2 of 2:
Holding Your Own Party
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Plan ahead. Start planning about 2 to 3 weeks before your birthday. Send out invitations early and through multiple media channels, such as Facebook, text and phone messages.
- Create a Facebook page or website about the party. Add those you’ve invited to the page in order to create a hub of information that can keep everyone up to date on the latest information on the party.
- If your budget is tight, utilize a familiar space. If you, a friend, or a family member have a space large enough for your guest count, then don’t worry about spending money on a venue. Guests usually enjoy parties in familiar spaces, and oftentimes someone’s home can create a sense of comfort and security.
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Create the guest list. Figure out where the party is taking place and how many people can comfortably fit into the venue. Prioritize your family and close friends to make sure your party is full of people you enjoy being around. [11] X Research source
- Create a cutoff date. When inviting a large number of people, place a cutoff date for accepting the invitation, or on the number of attendees allowed to the party, to make sure you don’t end up with far more guests than you can handle. If the cutoff date is well before the actual date of the party, you can open the invitations to additional guests to account for those who failed to RSVP.
- Account for those who can’t make it. If you are planning a large party, allow for guests to invite one friend, or invite more people than you think you can actually handle. This is helpful if your party is less formal and you aren’t sending RSVPs.
- If you are concerned about guests bringing friends that you aren’t comfortable with, place a caveat on the invitation regarding plus ones. For example, you might require guests to ask if they would like to bring a plus one, allowing you to screen your guests carefully.
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Check your messages. Your family and friends are bound to be leaving you messages about your impending birthday, with some suggesting they hold a party for you. Let them know early that you will be holding your own, so that a surprise birthday party doesn’t go to waste!
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Set a location and time for the party. Choose a time and place that is as convenient for the largest number of people as possible. Take into consideration whether your friends have obligations, such as kids or projects, and whether there will be plenty of alcohol.
- Celebrate on a more convenient day than the actual day of your birthday if it happens to fall on a holiday or work day.
- If you don’t plan on going to a restaurant or bar for your birthday, and you don’t think you have the space to hold it at your house, ask a friend if they can help with hosting duties.
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Organize and prepare leading up to the big day. Food, drinks and decorations will need to be taken care of prior to the big day. Assign some work to friends or family to help pull everything together. [12] X Research source
- Create some space. Move tables, chairs, and other furniture in order to create enough space for the expected number of guests. Avoid blocking off exits or creating dangerous obstacles when arranging the party space.
- Have guests bring food and drink. You can make planning much easier if guests are required to bring food and drink to the party. [13]
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- If you're buying the foods and drinks, make sure to not overbuy, as that is one of the biggest party organizing mistakes that people make. To avoid this, assume that each guest will have two drinks during cocktail hour and one drink every hour thereafter. Don't forget to have non-alcoholic options as well.
- Set up the music. Create a party playlist according to the ambience of the evening. Preset playlists are available on many music streaming programs, including Spotify and Apple Music. Some popular music stations also list their playlists for you to mix and match.
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Throw that party. Have a great time! Remember to stay safe and minimize the risks for you and your guests.
- Serve water and other snacks if you plan on serving alcoholic drinks. Drinking on an empty stomach increases the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream.
- If someone is getting too rowdy or tensions get heated, take them to the side and let them know they need to either calm down or leave.
- Keep your valuables secure and in other rooms, away from the party.
- Be mindful of your neighbors. You wouldn’t want your party to end early because you’re making too large a ruckus.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhy do I cry on my birthday?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIt’s not uncommon for people to experience the birthday blues. Maybe you feel sad about getting a little older or feel nostalgic about the past. Birthdays can also be especially hard if you’re celebrating them after a major life change, like moving away from home for the first time or losing someone you used to celebrate with. Whatever the reason, remember that you’re not alone! Birthdays are bittersweet for lots of people.
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QuestionHow can I make my birthday meaningful?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerOne way is to spend it with people who are special to you, like friends or family. If you can’t get together in person, give them a call or send a text. You can also take time to reflect on how you’ve grown and changed over the past year, or make a list of things you’d like to do or accomplish before your next birthday.
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QuestionHow can I treat myself on my birthday?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerTake at least a little time on your birthday to do something you enjoy, whether it’s just relaxing at home, going out to your favorite restaurant, or getting together with friends. You could also buy yourself something, even if it’s just a little treat like a cupcake from your favorite bakery.
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Tips
- Don't mope about not getting what you wanted. Be proactive instead and buy yourself that something if you really want it. Treat yourself!Thanks
- It's your birthday. Don’t feel forced into celebrating in a way you aren’t comfortable with.Thanks
- Always go for the guilty pleasure of eating the leftover frosting with a spoon! It’s your birthday, anyway!Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Make the day uniquely "you" — blast your favorite songs, eat your favorite foods, wear that outfit you love but never have an excuse to wear. It's your birthday, so make sure you enjoy yourself!
- Make sure to set a firm RSVP cutoff date when sending out invites, especially for larger guest counts. This ensures you can finalize headcounts for food, drinks, and space.
- If budget is a concern, see if a friend can host at their place instead of spending money on a venue. Guests usually feel more comfortable in familiar spaces anyway.
- If serving alcohol, always provide plenty of water and food to slow absorption. Also, discreetly cut off anyone getting too disruptive before things get out of hand.
- Assign specific prep tasks like food, décor, and music to friends and family to help share the planning workload. But don't over-delegate, or it could get chaotic.
- Schedule your party a few days before or after your actual birthday if the real date falls on an inconvenient day. That way, more guests can make it.
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References
- ↑ http://www.roadtripamerica.com/travelplanning/Tips-for-Family-Road-Trips.htm
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1618866715001016
- ↑ http://houston.skydivespaceland.com/first-tandem/skydive-common-questions/
- ↑ http://www.allyou.com/free-on-birthday
- ↑ https://timemanagementninja.com/2013/05/10-things-you-should-write-in-your-productivity-journal/
- ↑ http://www.winemag.com/2015/08/25/how-to-taste-wine/
- ↑ https://www.beauwinetours.com/
- ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/a31786/100-date-ideas/
- ↑ https://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
- ↑ https://www.bridalguide.com/blogs/real-brides-speak-out/guest-list
- ↑ https://cupcakesandcashmere.com/decor/party-planning-tips
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/money/advice/a13926/budget-friendly-party-planning/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to have a great birthday, take the day off of work and spend it doing your favorite activities. For example, you could go to your favorite restaurant or invite your friends to do a fun activity to celebrate with you, like bowling, going to an arcade, or wine tasting. Treat yourself to some birthday cake by making a cake the day before or buying one from the store. You could also take a road trip or spend some time outdoors, hiking, walking, or laying on the beach. If you want to learn how to throw your own birthday party, keep reading!
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