By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
As we grow older, we look for new ways to celebrate birthdays for family members, friends, and ourselves. A few weeks ago, I posted a question on Facebook about how my followers enjoyed their once-a-year day. I think you will enjoy some of the responses.
The following ideas may give you unique ideas how to make someone’s birthday special.
- Plan a surprise family and/or friend get-together at the person’s favorite restaurant.
- Plan a family and friend meal that isn’t a surprise. What’s important is making sure the person knows he/she is loved.
- Shower the person with mailed or e-cards. Select those that are funny, serious, contemplative, and meaningful. Add a note that says why you love the person.
- List as many positive attributes about the person as their age.
- Treat the person to a photo shoot.
- Whisk away the person for a weekend away from home.
- What is the person’s favorite childhood memory? Can you reenact it?
- Register the person at restaurants that offer a free meal on their birthday.
- Take the person on an adventure or scavenger hunt. Make it exciting!
- Flowers are always a sentimental treat, but what about giving a tree to plant in the person’s yard? Or offer to create a flower bed?
- For yourself: Volunteer at a hospital, orphanage, or charitable event and don’t tell anyone it’s your birthday.
- For yourself: Accomplish as many acts of kindness as your age.
Birthdays only happen once a year, and although we might not be counting the years, they are special. How do you celebrate birthdays?
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DiAnn’s Library Corner
Library Tip: Encourage your patrons to give you the month and day of their birthday. Post the list online or in a prominent place in your library.
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Comments 4
DiAnne, I receive notices for your blog posts in my email inbox. Yesterday, when I received the notice, I was feeling frustrated about my husband’s birthday, which is today. I find it hard to celebrate-he is the cook, he doesn’t want to go out on his birthday, he doesn’t want presents, and names the things he has already bought for himself in advance…so when I saw the ideas, I latched onto #4 – List as many positive things about the person as their age. That, I thought, I could do.
I started this morning listing Things I Love About You, In Alphabetical Order. Alpha was a mistake, I learned, each time I changed letters I would I’d remember something from a previous letter. (Next year I’ll do this on the computer first, so I can sort!) But my husband was obviously touched and I’m very grateful you posted your list. THANK YOU!
Hi Dana, thank you for taking the time to write me. I’m so pleased the blog post helped with your husband’s birthday dilemma. Love it! Have a blessed day.
My birthday is January 3rd so most people are still exhausted after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. We usually go out to eat at a nice restaurant.
The way I treat myself is to extend all the wonderful Christmas decorations. We keep eating out of the Christmas dishes and leave all the decorations up until the weekend after my birthday. I love it that way!
Sherry, that’s so cool! My birthday is Dec 28th, so I get the exhausted syndrome. See you soon!