Celebrate with classmates and friends if you’re still in school. You can still have fun and enjoy your birthday, even if it falls on a school day. Many times, your name will be read on the morning announcements or teachers will give you a small gift, such as a piece of candy or a pencil. If you want to celebrate with your classmates, ask your parents if you can bring in a treat to share.[1] X Research source Make sure none of your classmates have food allergies if you decide to bring in a treat. Take time off work to celebrate, if you're working a job. Talk to your boss a few weeks in advance and let them know that your birthday is coming up. See if you’re able to take the day off so you can plan different activities and have a free day. Some workplaces will allow you to take paid time off while others may not, so make sure you can afford to take the day off.[2] X Research source Keep in mind that your friends or family members may still have to work even if you have off. Always ask off of work sooner than later to ensure that you get the days off that you want. Enjoy your favorite foods so you can plan your meals. Choose foods that you love and don’t get to eat often for

your birthday meals to make them feel more special. For example, you may have pancakes for breakfast instead of cereal or sushi for lunch rather than a sandwich. If you have a favorite restaurant, make a point to visit them on your birthday and order a meal.[3] X Research source Ask your parents ahead of time for a special birthday meal if you’re too young to make or order your own food. Have a relaxing day at home if you want to lie low for your birthday. If you don’t feel like going out anywhere or celebrating, it’s perfectly okay to just relax on your own. Put on your comfiest clothes, turn on your favorite movie or TV show, play video games, or go outside to get some sun. Invite people over to have a small gathering of friends if you want to enjoy a meal or play a board game together.[4] X Research source Get together with friends if you want to celebrate together. Spending time with friends is a great way to enjoy your birthday with the people you care most about. Ask your friends if they want to come over to hang out or go somewhere to socialize. While you’re with your friends, thank them for taking time to be with you on your birthday to show them that you appreciate

their company.[5] X Research source Don’t pressure your friends to buy things for you or give you gifts if they don’t want to. Remember that you want your friends to celebrate with you, not for you. Look for birthday deals at stores and restaurants if you want discounts. Many stores and restaurants offer birthday specials where you can receive a free item or a discount with a purchase. Search online for birthday deals near you and travel to as many as you can to celebrate. Make a list of places where you want to go, and check them off as you visit each one so you can keep track of them.[6] X Research source Some stores and restaurants only offer birthday deals if you have a loyalty or membership card. Try something you’ve never done before to make your birthday feel special. If there’s something that you’ve always wanted to try, take some time on your birthday to go do it. You can choose something major, like skydiving or bungee jumping, or something small, like trying out a new restaurant or visiting a museum. That way, you can remember the experience of your birthday.[7] X Research source Take a day trip if you want to get away on your birthday. If there’s someplace

near where you live that you’ve always wanted to check out, visit it on your birthday to make your day more memorable. You may choose somewhere like an amusement park, the beach, or a hiking trail for your trip. Take the entire day to explore the area so you can make memories and enjoy your time away.[8] X Research source If your birthday is on or near a weekend, take a longer vacation if you’re able to so you have more time to explore or relax. See if friends want to spend the day with you so you have people to drive with. Choose a time and place for your party. If you want to have a small, intimate gathering, try hosting the party at your home or see if you’re able to reserve an area at a local cafe. For larger parties, you may need to find somewhere like a restaurant or public park to hold your party. Choose a time where you think most of your guests could come and spend time with you while you celebrate.[9] X Research source For example, many people wouldn’t be able to come to a party at noon in the middle of the week. Instead, choose an evening or weekend to host the party. You may have to schedule your party on a day that isn’t your birthday. Talk to your parents

about hosting a birthday party before telling any friends about it. Send invitations to the guests you want to attend 2-3 weeks in advance. Once you have a time and place chosen for your party, think about what people you want to spend time and celebrate with. Give each of your guests an invitation that clearly states the time, place, and expectations of the party. Make sure you send the invitations at least 2 weeks in advance so people have time to RSVP or let you know if they have other plans.[10] X Research source You can give out invitations in person, through the mail, or in a group message. Realize that not every person you invite may be able to attend your party. If you notice that multiple people can’t make it, then you may be able to reschedule it for a different time. Set up decorations to make your party feel more festive. The decorations you choose for your birthday party depend on what type of theme you want. If you want a classic birthday look, hang colorful streamers and inflate balloons so they can float around. Include party hats, signs or banners, and confetti to make your party more fun.[11] X Research source Some party venues may provide decorations like

tablecloths or balloons, but you can still bring your own if you want to. Provide enough food for your guests. Even though it’s your party, you still need to provide your guests with snacks or a meal depending on the time. If your party is only for a few hours in between meal times, then have things like chips and dip, vegetable platters, or cheese and crackers. If you’re planning a meal, choose something easy, such as pizza or burgers. Also, make sure that you provide enough drinks for your guests so they don’t get thirsty at your party.[12] X Research source Many locations with a birthday package offer drinks and meals for you and your guests. If you’re able to, pay for catering so you don’t have to stress about preparing food. Thank your guests for celebrating your birthday with you. Even though your guests will be celebrating your birthday, it’s important to let them know you appreciate them. At the end of your party, tell them that you’re thankful that they spent time to celebrate with you and that you’re glad they came. This makes your guests know that you care about them and that you enjoy their friendship.[13] X Research source For example, you could say,

“Thanks for coming to my party! I had a really fun time celebrating my birthday with you.” Be comfortable with the fact you’re getting older. One of the reasons you may be upset during your birthday is growing up and getting older, but know that other people feel the same way. Rather than focus on how fast you’re aging, shift your focus to how much you’ve enjoyed the past year of your life. That way, you can realize how much you’ve grown and matured mentally and emotionally.[14] X Research source Realize that it’s okay if you don’t have a big celebration for your birthday. Some people build their birthdays up as the most special day of the year, but they feel disappointed if that doesn’t happen. Don’t set your expectations high on your birthday, but be happy about the little things that happen throughout the day. Don’t feel pressured to have a big celebration so you can still enjoy small parties or get-togethers when they happen.[15] X Research source Treat your birthday like any other day of the week to help keep your expectations low. That way if someone does go out of their way to do something, you’ll feel more surprised. Mention your birthday a few weeks

in advance if you want others to remember. Unless you always spend your time with close friends, people may not even know it’s your birthday. A few weeks before your special day, hint that your birthday is coming up so people don’t forget about it. Don’t try to force your birthday into a conversation or mention that you want gifts, or else it could make other people feel like you’re expecting something from them.[16] X Research source For example, you may say something like, “Oh I was going to go see that movie in a few weeks on my birthday,” or, “That reminds me that I need to plan dinner for my birthday.” Stay busy with activities to distract yourself from feeling sad. If you’re feeling down on your birthday, try to plan multiple activities to do throughout the day so you have something to look forward to. Get outside, visit new places, or watch movies so you stay distracted. You may also reach out to friends and ask them to spend time with you on your birthday so you aren’t thinking about why you’re feeling sad.[17] X Research source Do something that you normally would do to relax to make it easier to clear your mind. Make goals that you want to achieve in

the next year. Rather than looking back at the things you didn’t accomplish in the past year, start a list of goals that you want to achieve before your next birthday. Make sure the goals you set are achievable within the next year so you don’t feel down when your birthday comes around the following year. Once you have your goals, start working toward them immediately so you can get a head start.[18] X Research source For example, your goals could be getting better grades in school, making more art, writing a story, or visiting someplace you haven’t been before. Write down your goals in multiple places so you’re reminded about them regularly. Buy yourself a special gift to treat yourself on your birthday. Even though it’s your birthday, you shouldn’t expect gifts from other people. If you want something special for yourself, get something that you want that’s within your budget so you can celebrate. Make sure that you get something that you haven’t told your parents or friends that you wanted, since it could be possible they got it for you already.[19] X Research source