Birthdays in college are confusing. Some people may not have had a party in years and don’t come in expecting much, while others may have been the coordinators of huge birthday bashes. For a lot of people it’s an odd feeling to not be surrounded by family on their big days, and for many friends of the birthday girl (or boy) it is unclear what the expectations are.
Coincidentally, the girls that make up my main group of friends all have Autumn birthdays.This rapid succession of birthdays has thrown me headfirst into the art of figuring out fun and cost efficient ways to celebrate.
Here’s what I have learned.
Coordination is key!
Step one in birthdays is remembering them and planning ahead. Make sure to get all of your good friends’ birthdays at some point so you can put them into your calendar. Also, make a group chat that includes the people your friend would want to celebrate with so you can plan any surprises.
Dinner out is a fun tradition
My friends and I don’t eat out often, but that makes birthday dinners special. The birthday girl gets to choose where we go eat, and it always makes the week more exciting when we leave the Brown dining halls for a special outing.
Dessert is priority!
Inarguably, one of the essential parts of a birthday is the dessert. This is also what I have observed as the main friend responsibility.
If you have a group together willing to split the cost, you can get a cake from Whole Foods (which is a decent walk or a quick uber ride), a cookie cake from Insomnia Cookies ($25), or an ice cream cake from Ben and Jerry’s ($23). Buying a real cake for a friend is a sweet way to make them feel special and make it feel a bit more like a real party. For a totally free option, check out the desserts in the dining halls- Andrews always has dessert pizza and sometimes a Sundae bar!
We have also found some less expensive alternatives to a true cake around Thayer Street. CVS is a reliable spot to grab your friends’ favorite candy, or if you want to test out a dorm kitchen and are feeling up for a challenge, they also sell cake mixes and canned frosting. For a vegan option, By Chloe has cupcakes ($3.75 ea.). A group trip to Ben and Jerry’s can be a replacement for a cake, or even split a few of the gigantic cookies from Meeting Street Cafe ($4.50 ea.).
You can host in your dorm room!
For people who want a little more of a party (especially if your birthday is on a Friday or Saturday night), opening your room to be the space to host can be simple. Invite your friends and let the birthday girl be in charge of the playlist.
Finally, when in doubt, ask!
But remember, it’s never a bad idea to ask the birthday girl or boy what they would like to do most on their birthday. The best way to celebrate someone is by doing it the way they would choose to do it if they were planning. If your friends can’t decide on a cupcake vs. a cake, or a move night vs. a party night, ask the person you’re celebrating!