It’s the start of a new year and that means it’s probably like a lot of people’s birthday’s today (I don’t feel like looking up the statistics for this, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY if it is in fact your birthday). Personally, I find birthdays to be really exciting and I love celebrating other people’s special days. It’s also amusing how most people pretend not to be excited, but everyone knows that they are secretly stocked to celebrate their day of birth (especially boys, stop acting so nonchalant on your birthday! You’re not fooling anyone!). I mean how awesome is it to have one day of the year to celebrate your own existence! And the best part is that no one can give you crap about it.
The following list was created for the college student who is on a tight budget. But if you are one of those lucky people who happened to win the lottery or lives in Beverly Hills or something, then by all means go all out on your friend.
1. DO give them a card.
Nothing says “I love you” or “I appreciate your friendship” more than a handmade card. And if you’re too busy to make one, then go and buy a damn card, or send an e-card. The point is that it’s nice to have lovely words written to you on your Birthday.
This is the card my mom made me on my birthday (she is clearly better than yours).
2. Do try to manifest a cake or some food product with candles on it and sing “Happy Birthday!”
You can’t celebrate your friend’s birthday without candles on something and you have to sing the birthday song! I know that having to sit through a round of “Happy Birthday” is pretty awkward for the birthday person, but they’ll just have to bare it. It’s the sweet gesture that counts.
3. Do buy balloons!
If you go to the Dollar Tree or some dollar store, you can get those awesome helium balloons for $1!! I know I can’t be the only one excited about this! Yes, you can go buy a packet of 50 regular balloons for $1 but they tend to pop at the most inappropriate moments, and they smell weird.
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4. Do give your friend a hug.
I don’t care if your friend is an emotionless robot, or if you are, just hug them on their birthday.
5. Do make decorations! Or make a giant poster.
No, you don’t have to do anything as elaborate as the picture below (unless you can, then kudos to you). But if you have a few markers and some paper then make some decorations to put up.
6. Buy them a gift.
Notice how this isn’t a “Do”. I know that being in college means that most of us are on a budget, so I’m sure your friend won’t be devastated if you don’t buy them a gift. Cake and balloons are good enough, but you know your friend best, so to quote Amanda Bynes in She’s the Man, “do what your heart tells ya!”
7. Don’t plan the day before.
Call it paranoia or whatever, but I like to believe in Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong”.
8. Don’t forget their birthday!
Nothing is worse than celebrating your friend’s birthday a day late, it really makes you look like a suckish friend.
9. Don’t forget to have fun!
A simple birthday celebration is the best! Don’t get caught up in trying to throw an elaborate party (unless you have the time and resources).