This is a great idea for a loved one who lives far away. If you aren’t sure what to say, try telling them how much you care about them and that you hope their birthday is the best day ever.
If you have other friends who want in on the birthday parade, have them all decorate their cars and drive by in a line.
Spend the morning taking a hike, the afternoon playing miniature golf or paintball, and the night watching a double feature at the drive in. Or, make it a 12 days of birthday celebration. For the 12 days leading up to the birthday, give him/her a note, a card, a letter, his/her favorite candy bar, or even an activity. Spread out the fun instead of putting it in one day.
For an extra special time, try going on a picnic around sunset. Just make sure it’s not too dark to walk back to the car!
If the spa isn’t really their thing, you could also send them off golfing or doing a different fun activity that they love. If you have kids, this is a nice way to let your partner get out of the house for some much-needed relaxation time.
Don’t forget to clean up the kitchen after you’re done! If you live far away from your loved one, try ordering them a special breakfast on DoorDash, Postmates, or Uber Eats and getting it delivered to their home.
You could also put the notes on sticky notes and place them around their car or work space.
Roses are usually saved for romantic partners, while tulips, lilies, or daffodils are perfect for best friends.
If you have the time, write messages on the balloons. You can write, “I love you more than _” or “Reason # that I love you is ______. " You could also write memories, funny stories, inside jokes, song lyrics, and meaningful words on the balloons to show them how special they are to you.
If your loved one isn’t a fan of cake, you could make cupcakes, pie, or cookies instead! It’s their day, so make something that they’re going to love. Or, if they live far away, send them a dessert from their local bakery and have it delivered to their doorstep. If the birthday person doesn’t eat sweets, try making them their favorite dinner or a savory snack instead.
Some schools have rules against decorating lockers. Make sure you check your student handbook beforehand so you don’t get your friend into trouble.
To really sell the surprise, pretend like you forgot your loved one’s birthday or that you have nothing planned. That way, they’ll be super shocked when they walk into a party. If your loved one lives far away, try hosting a surprise party over Zoom instead. Invite all of your loved ones onto a video chat, then invite the birthday person (but tell them it’s a one-on-one convo). When they join the chat, everyone can yell “Surprise!” or “Happy Birthday!”
Or, host a surprise potluck dinner at your house with every guest bringing a dish to share. You could also host a dinner over video chat. Have everyone make a fancy dish and sit down in front of their computers to eat “together. ”
