Here are some easy ways to make someone feel special on their birthday, even if it is not a milestone birthday. We had six kids in our family growing up but my mother made sure we each had a happy birthday. It usually included some quality time one-on-one and a favorite food.
Here are some easy and fun birthday surprise ideas, even if you are short on time. And there are more favorite things with Annie and Cindy today.
Send A Handwritten Note With A Photo
Send a handwritten letter or birthday card telling the birthday girl or boy all the reasons why you admire them. And include a photo of the two of you. CVS has a really fast (same day), inexpensive photo developing service.
Surprise Delivery: Have Balloons Or Treats From A Local Bakery Delivered
Party City has a service where you can have helium balloons delivered for $10 (or it’s free if the order is over $59). They do suggest tipping the driver.
A couple of years ago on the morning of my birthday, Annie sent me warm croissants from our local French bakery using Door Dash!
Send Them A Virtual Gift Card To A Favorite Store or Restaurant
Our son-in-law lives is Los Angeles. We know he has fun shopping at Eataly in the Beverly Center so we sent him a gift card (they email it) with a special message. Virtual gift cards are great as a long-distance birthday gift and they are available at lots of places. Plus, they are great at the last minute!
Set The Dinner Table And Make Them An Indulgent But Simple Birthday Celebration Dinner
This is a great way to show close friends you care, even on a weeknight! We celebrated our friend’s big day recently by setting a colorful table and serving a Lobster, Grapefruit, Avocado Salad.
Lobster, Grapefruit, Avocado Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large cooked, chilled lobster tail (or you could cook it yourself)
- 2-3 tbsp finely chopped shallot
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 pink or ruby red grapefruits
- 1 large avocado chopped
- 8 cups baby greens
- course ground sea salt to taste
- 3 tbsp toasted pinenuts if desired
Instructions
- Dressing: stir the shallot, lemon juice and salt in small bowl and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Then add the oil with a small whisk.
- Cut the peel and pith from the grapefruits and take the segments out of the membranes and cut in half…put on paper towels to drain…ok, this was a little time-consuming, but worth it.
- Cut the lobster tail in half and slice Divide the grapefruit, avocado and lobster on among the salad plates
- Top each mixture with a handful of the greens and drizzle with the dressing. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt (and pinenuts if desired) and serve right away.
Shop The Table Setting
Bake An Easy Birthday Cake From Scratch
I’ve made this Citrus Olive Oil cake several times as we usually have all the ingredients necessary. Don’t forget the ice cream or whipped cream.
You may also like A Roundup Of My Best Desserts.
Personalize A Gift Bag With Watercolors
Here is another way to make someone feel special on their birthday. I am obviously no artist! But its a fun little project using watercolors and white gift bags from Amazon.
It makes your birthday present a little more festive with a personal touch.
Do have any other ways to make someone feel special on their birthday?
What To Read: Wives Like Us By Plum Sykes
This book is hilarious at times with dry British humor and it’s a fun read.
“Take a grand English country house, one (heartbroken) American divorcee, three rich wives, two tycoons, a pair of miniature sausage dogs and one (bereaved) butler; put them all into the blender and out comes the impossibly funny Wives Like Us, the new novel from the best-selling author Plum Sykes.”
Casual Birthday Party Outfit Of The Week
Have you noticed the trend of more colorful bottoms? I’m ordering the flattering Ann Taylor pants (comes in petite and regular sizes).This casual outfit gives you a choice of a polished crisp cotton white or black top (with excellent reviews). The links are in the photos below.
Shop The Outfit
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Terrific ideas! They go along with my philosophy…celebrate EVERYTHING! Definitely will incorporate some of these into my repertoire!
GOOD philosophy, Nancy!
I have made note of several of your ideas! Thank you. The personalized shopping bag is genius. How fun.
Happy summer.
Karen B.
Love your gift bag, Mary Ann: sweet and festive!
I will definitely look into your novel suggestion — sounds fun!
Easy travels to CA!
So many great tips Mary Ann! I am sure Mercedes loved the tote and the birthday party.
I love your handmade/handpainted gifts.
Have a wonderful week.
I love this post so many great ideas! Who knew about Party City what a great tip!! I love that olive oil cake, simple and delicious!!
The cake recipe looks wonderful, MaryAnn ~ thank you! Perfect for my granddaughter’s birthday celebration next month. Please provide the source for the candles in the photo.
Cheers!
Vickie
I just picked them up at our grocery store, Publix. Thanks!
Thanks for the tip about Party City delivering balloons, and just in time. I’m sending some to a girlfriend across the country whose birthday is this week. Something different than flowers, and very fun and festive. The hand painted bag is a great tip as well!
Such a lovely, personal birthday gift bag. Terrific idea. Many thanks for the idea!
It’s fun, too, Elle.
Can’t wait to try the citrus cake! I do appreciate all your suggestions. Have bought so many items you have featured!
One of my favorites is this inexpensive and super comfy set from Amazon. I wore it for 24 hours during my last day in Alaska and red eye flight home..
Someone once told me that “weddings are optional, but funerals are mandatory” in terms of priority. Especially as we get older, it’s so important to honor those we e loved.
Thanks, Jayne. I think that was Mercedes’ outfit. I want it too.
Thank you for sharing the birthday ideas. And I like this week’s fashion choices. All nice.
Thanks, Linda!!
Great ideas thank you Mary Ann! My son and his wife live in Alaska and we are in California so now l have some ideas how to celebrate the day in style. Happy week !
I think a card with photos is always nice, Francesca. Or a gift card to a place in their town that they like.
Hi Maryann,
I love all your ideas. The handcrafted bag is adorable, anyone receiving that would feel loved.
I have baked your citrus olive bread/cake. It’s fabulous. I like how you decorated the top with the sliced oranges. Like you for my adult family I send Nordstrom gift cards, for the two guys send money and then add on the number of years they are turning. My neighborhood “Precious Petunia” group we do a “card shower,” treat the birthday girl to the restaurant of her choice. If I have a vision and have the time I handcraft a card. It’s usually a big hit, add a picture too, and the envelope is decorated and put in sometimes a clear bag with ribbons streaming down. I also bake something I know they love. I have to be careful because our group likes to keep things more basic and simple. I’ve had to scale way stay out of trouble.
It’s wonderful you are going to your good friends mothers service. It’s the right thing to do. You always show up. You are a wonderful friend to have.
My girlfriend just received an Apple Watch from her husband. I was telling her about your pretty band your kids gifted you for Mother’s Day. Would you share that with me?
I bet you make wonderful cards, Kathy!!! YOU are a wonderful friend.
Here is the watch band https://rstyle.me/+E4eHQx09bwog7k7BW4HaUw. I love it.
Mary Ann! I love all of your ideas! Weeknight birthday dinners, the hand painted gift bag (love), a special cake…you always make everyone around you feel special on their birthday and everyday! Thanks for the mention about the croissants! Xx
Those croissants were such a nice surprise, Annie.
Great birthday ideas, Mary Ann. I have a happy birthday tablecloth we use when celebrating birthdays at our house.
That is so festive, Holly!