To make an #adult #birthday party truly memorable, go beyond the basic #party or dinner and drinks and instead arrange an experience that gives “you a story to tell instead of another dinner receipt,” says The Rustic Brush. “A nice meal is never a bad choice, but the problem is that it often blends into every other Friday night.” Try starting the day early with a hike or paddle. Build a birthday around something that you or that special someone has been meaning to do. Do a #DIY art workshop with friends, or learn to cook something new. Take an overnight trip. Or kick back with a massage or spa day. #BetterBirthday
Tag: celebrating
Keep Costs in Check on Kids’ Birthday Parties
To #save on the cost of kids’ #birthday parties, stock up early. Check #thrift stores, dollar stores, clearance bins and websites for deals on the things you know you’ll need, buy them and set them aside for the big day. Use an e-vite instead of paper invitations and get creative by decorating balloons or making a piñata yourself. Cakes don’t have to be expensive, either; it’s easy to dress up a box mix with homemade frosting and sprinkles. For entertainment, “You don’t have to hire a clown or a traveling petting zoo,” Parents says — games like Red Rover and charades offer plenty of fun at little or no cost. #BetterBirthday
Pick a Theme for Your Birthday Party
A good theme can make planning an adult #birthday easier, says Guest Reel — especially if you’re planning the #party on a budget. A costume party (themed by decade, color scheme, or pop culture reference) can help guests get creative, and the #thrift stores supplied by #donations to ClothingDonations.org can provide a lot of source materials. A board game tourney or trivia night is a good way to encourage friendly competition. A craft night allows guests to something they can take home while socializing. Or try a wine-and-cheese tasting. Whatever you choose, the goal is to #celebrate the particular person. #BetterBirthday
Birthday Season Has Arrived
Did you know? August and September are the most common #birthday months in the United States, with August seeing the largest number of births and nine of the 10 most common birthdates occurring in September. That means you may be #celebrating a lot of #birthdays in the next few weeks and need ideas for making them memorable on a #budget. For kids, “the key is to focus on fun, experiences, and connection rather than decorations or fancy stuff,” says Moms Journey. Start by thinking about their favorite activities and what would make them happiest. It works for adults, too! #BetterBirthday
Marking the Milestone of Graduation
May and June are #graduation season. The academic calendar is coming to an end, and those in their senior years of high school and college will make the transition out of their respective schools and take the next steps in their lives. Many schools and families take note of middle and elementary school graduations, too.
The first thing on the minds of many #graduates and their #parents (after the ceremonies) is a #celebration. Graduation parties tend to be low-key, multigenerational affairs, gifts optional. If you plan one, ask the honoree what kind of gathering they would like to have, who should be on the guest list and what kind of refreshments might be served, says Emily Post.
However you #elebrate, graduation marks important milestone in life. The end of high school and college often carries bittersweet connotations, because the student will soon be saying goodbye to friends, accepting more adult responsibilities, and perhaps moving and/or entering a profession for the first time. Many will be seeking meaning or a new goal in life.
The reason many ceremonies are referred to as commencements is that while graduation is the end of one phase, it’s also new beginning — the culmination of years of work and a window into the great unknown. It can be an unsettling and emotional period; be prepared to help your gradate (or yourself) cope with new and unfamiliar demands.
One thing you can do to get the graduate’s next phase off on the right foot is to help them #edit and store the artifacts of those school years. With few exceptions, your high school grad isn’t going to need most of souvenirs of the previous four years for college or career, and college grads won’t need dorm-room trappings following them to their next homes.
Encourage your #grad to weed through their documents and keep the essentials — transcripts, writing samples, portfolios — in digital formats to save space. They can return textbooks and #organize #keepsakes in bins or boxes, PODS says. They can get rid of #clothing that won’t suit their next phase, along with extra appliances, dinnerware and other furnishings. Anything that doesn’t make the cut can go to ClothingDonations.org with a #free #donation #pickup.
Graduation is a milestone — and all milestones are an opportunity for reflection and goal-setting. #Decluttering can help graduates recognize and appreciate where their journey has taken them and move forward to the next big thing. Congratulations to all the grads!