Beyond Cake and Candles: 20 Creative Ideas for Your Friend’s Birthday
Are you planning a birthday party for your best friend but don’t know where to start?
Well, you’re in luck because we have some unique ideas for a friend’s birthday that will make sure that your sister, childhood friend, buddy for life, or better half has the best party ever!
After all, your friend is what makes life better, so why not celebrate their existence with a party that reminds them how awesome they are? Our 20 birthday ideas are perfect for those who love a laid-back or a full-blown party.
Want to start the planning right away? Jump to our ultimate birthday planning checklist for a successful and memorable par-tay!
💮 Relaxing Birthday Party Ideas (Me-Day!)
Relax, take it easy ‘cause it’s your birthday! (well, theirs!) Birthdays are sometimes a lot to deal with if you’re the one hosting them. So why not give your friend the most fuss-free birthday party ever? Make their birthday special with our top relaxing birthday party ideas!
💆♀️🌸 1. Unwind with a Spa Day
If your best friend is the type of person who always puts others first, chances are they’ve not enjoyed some ‘me time’ for ages. With responsibilities like studies, family, and many other things, keeping up with body rituals and some well-deserved indulgence is hard!
A spa session like a Shirodhara or even a back massage can help your friend relax and care for their mind and body on their special day.
To make the event extra special, consider booking a hotel stay so they can fully relax on their birthday!
📋🤝 2. A Responsibility-Free Day
Is it possible? The short answer is YES! With a little planning and coordination, a worry-free day for your friend is possible!
The ability to not do anything is synonymous with luxury when you hit a certain age! Whether it’s planning a relaxing day at the beach or helping with everyday tasks like grocery shopping or picking up the kids from school, these simple acts of kindness can make your friend’s day truly special.
You could even team up with other friends to share the tasks, so the birthday boy or girl doesn’t have to worry about a thing for a day!
🎮🕹️ 3. Play Their Favourite Video Game
Travel back to carefree times with a video game party!
Whether your friend is studying or working, chances are that they don’t have as much free time as they would like to play their favourite video games, so why not team up with them or play against them on their special day? Just make sure to let them win to make their day!
Serve finger foods like mozzarella bites and vegan arancini that don’t require you to set the table while playing! Remember to add a Pacman, Super Mario, or any of the celebrant’s favourite video game-themed desserts to the event to make it extra special!
Check out some video game party planning inspiration on Pinterest right away!
🌿🏞️ 4. Book a Wellness Retreat
Some people need some time away to rejuvenate, and if your buddy lives in a hectic city, they could definitely use some away time from all the hustle and bustle of city life.
Wellness retreats are ideal for focusing on your emotional well-being. These judgement-free spaces are made for people to focus on themselves and let them express themselves freely.
Retreats typically equip visitors with tools to overcome obstacles through yoga, mindfulness, or other practices, so your dear friend will certainly feel grateful for such a birthday idea!
If you’re curious about the benefits of a retreat stay or vacation, read about the advantages of wellness retreats by Everyday Health right here!
🍹🍻 5. Host a Virtual Happy Hour
Sometimes, all you need to make your friend’s birthday extraordinary is to simply gather their near and dear ones through the magic of the internet!
If your friend has not seen their folks in a while, hosting a virtual catchup with celebratory drinks will make them happy.
Birthdays are much more enjoyable when the celebrant is surrounded by the people they love, whether it’s their immediate relatives, childhood friends, teachers, or someone they talk about and miss.
Ask everyone to get their favourite drinks and send the invite via Facebook or create an event page to invite everyone and send reminders on time.
Your friend will not only be touched by the gesture but will also appreciate the effort in organising such a meaningful birthday meetup!
🎲🧩 6. Board Games On
Wondering what type of party to host for a laid-back gathering at home? If your friend is anything like us, they probably love a classic board game night!
Board games can be hosted at any time of the year, and if your buddy doesn’t like going overboard on their birthday, a casual party like this one will keep them happy! (If you let them win again, of course!)
Games like Settlers of Catan, Monopoly, and Scrabble are easy to learn and can make a casual party a lot more interesting with the teasing, good humour, and great conversations!
Make sure to invite people from early on and decide on a game before the event. Go for easy finger foods that don’t require flatware, and remember to serve the favourite dessert of the celebrant!
🌳 The Great Outdoors Birthday Ideas
Whether it’s springtime, fall, or summertime, there are many fun things to do on your friend’s special day! From picnics to fall-themed parties, check out our favourite outdoor birthday ideas!
💡 Embrace the great outdoors with our 27 ideas for an outdoor birthday celebration!
🍉🌳 7. Picnic Magic
If your friend is lucky enough to be born during the warmer months, why not take advantage of the great weather and host a birthday picnic in their favourite park or their garden?
Birthday picnics can easily be customised for your celebrant; you can choose a theme, cuisine or colour for your event to make it stand out.
With delicious food, a birthday cake, excellent weather, and their loved ones around them on their birthday, they’ll have a great time turning a year older!
Wondering what food to pack for your gathering? Take a look at some picnic basket ideas to get inspired.
💡 For more creative birthday picnic ideas, hop on to our blog post.
🍂🍁 8. Fall Birthday Party
Some people truly love fall and look forward to this season. If your friend loves this cosy season, why not host a birthday party at a rooftop venue where the feeling of being outdoors yet indoors can easily be gratified.
Autumn birthday parties are relatively easy to plan – you can easily choose a theme like a pumpkin carving or opt for an autumn-inspired grazing bar as your party theme.
When it comes to food, think hearty stews, apple pies, and pumpkin spice latte. Decorate the space with shades of yellow, orange, purple, red, and brown for that rustic feel.
If you need help with picking the perfect fall birthday idea, check out our 15 fall birthday party ideas to get those creative juices flowing!
As your best friend enjoys the view of the falling leaves and a hot chocolate drink with a delicious piece of cake, they will be more grateful than ever to have a friend like you!
🎉🎉 9. Smash a Piñata
Or two! No matter whether your best friend is celebrating their 18th or 40th birthday, smashing a piñata is always fun!
Piñatas are typically filled with candies and tied to a tree. Elevate your friend’s piñata party by adding gifts like fortune cookies, wine gummies or tea bags – whatever you fancy offering!
Adding a piñata to any birthday party will make it a lot more entertaining and will certainly be welcomed with cheers and laughter!
🍵🍰 10. Garden Tea Party
If you’re throwing a milestone birthday party, why not make it classy like your guest of honour? Tea parties add that je ne sais quoi that makes everyone wear their best attire and put on their best behaviour!
With an outdoor setting, you won’t have to worry much about the backdrop; a few pastel-coloured paper lanterns, flower arrangements in clear vases, and twinkling lights should be more than enough!
Invite guests to wear adorned hats to make the event extra elegant and make your birthday celebrant feel like they’re royalty!
🕺🎶 11. Surprise Them with a Flash Mob
Surprise your best friend with a flash mob – pick their favourite tune or choreography to wish them the happiest of birthdays!
Celebrating their 25th or 50th anniversary? Gather friends and family and practise the dance moves a few times before giving them a once-in-a-lifetime birthday show!
Don’t worry if you don’t perfect the iconic moonwalk or robot dance! Your bestie will certainly appreciate the effort and remember this experience for years!
🦄 Once in a Lifetime Birthday Ideas
Make the most of your friend’s birthday by celebrating it in a grandiose way!
We’ve rounded up our top once in a lifetime birthday ideas for your bosom friend to celebrate in the most unique way possible!
🎰🌆 12. Trip to Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! Celebrate an epic birthday in Sin City with your favourite human!
Take them to the Vegas Strip – a must-do on any birthday if you can afford it! The iconic boulevard will delight your guest of honour with its famous casinos, hotels, and attractions!
And if they are movie buffs, why not take them on a city tour where some famous movie scenes were filmed?
Can’t afford to go to Vegas this year? Throw a Vegas-themed party for your bestie and watch them have the time of their life!
🎃👻 13. Ha-ha-ha-Halloween Birthday Bash
‘It’s showtime!’ – Beetlejuice
Fans of Halloween, you won’t have to wait till October for another spooky party! Host a Halloween-inspired birthday party for your friend and bring the magic of the spooky season to life!
Whether you are hosting the party at home or at a rented venue, decorate the space with jack-o-lanterns, bats, and black cats made out of paper and a cauldron where you can serve some delicious Witch’s Brew!
Now add some finger foods, a dress code, and classic Halloween music to the scene, and you’re all set!
💡 For more spooky and fun ideas, check out our article about Halloween- themed birthday parties!
✈️🛫 14. Jump Out of an Aeroplane
If your best friend has been dreaming of ticking this one off their bucket list, why not make their dream come true?
Skydiving is a unique way to commemorate life and embrace the adrenaline rush and thrill seeker in your friend! Talk about an epic way to celebrate your friend’s birthday!
🧠❓ 15. All About Them Trivia
Does your friend hate crowds but love great company and being in the spotlight? Gather their closest and dearest for a trivia night full of them!
From their first crush to their favourite colour, there is plenty of information available to make sure it is all about the celebrant!
Make it even more charming by serving the favourite dishes and drinks of the birthday girl or boy at the party!
📸📷 16. Plan a Photo Session
It’s your bestie’s birthday and it’s their time to shine! Sometimes, milestones can only be captured with the help of a photo shoot!
Wear your prettiest dress or tux, and get ready to blind the cameras with your sparkling smile!
Pick a theme and a location for the celebrant to unleash their inner diva! If you need to know where to host a birthday photo shoot, check out these unique and quirky photo studios near you!
💡 Unlock the ultimate birthday photo magic! Click now for mind-blowing photoshoot ideas!
🛍️👜 17. Birthday Shopping Spree
While a birthday shopping spree may not be the most appealing gift idea for everyone, we can guarantee it will be a hit with many if you plan it right!
Ask friends and family to pitch in for the celebrant to buy the things they’ve had on their list for a while!
Whether it’s that Chanel bag they have had on their mind for months or those Gucci sunglasses, taking the time to shop for the things they’ve wanted will make their day!
🎭 Themed Birthday Party Ideas for Your Best Friend
Adding a theme to your birthday party will make it that much more entertaining for your guests and the celebrant! Check out our list of themed birthday party ideas to level up your friend’s birthday party!
🌴🏝️ 18. Summer Tropical Birthday Party
We know it’s always summer somewhere! But if summer still seems far away, don’t fret; with a tropical-themed birthday party, your buddy will feel like they’re in the Maldives right away!
Go for a bright colour scheme with pink and turquoise shades. Decorate the space with plastic flamingos, pink table runners, sand buckets, and beach umbrellas.
Ask your guests to dress in their finest vacation attire for the ultimate tropical birthday bash in honour of your friend!
💡 Need help picking a summer birthday party theme? Take a look at our hottest summer birthday ideas for some inspiration.
❄️⛄️ 19. Winter Wonderland Magic
If your friend is one of those who love the colder months, why not host a birthday party to celebrate winter in all its glory?
From the food to the decor, there are plenty of ways to make your winter gathering a success.
Go for a colour scheme that incorporates the colours of winter, such as icy blue, white, and silver. Decorate with snowflake decorations and icy blue and white balloons. You can even put out a sled or two for guests to play around with and take pictures!
As for the food, think hearty winter fare, such as hot dogs, apple cider, soups, casseroles, and pies! Remember to have a hot chocolate station to satisfy your guests’ winter cravings!
💡 Get inspired for a successful winter-themed birthday party with our top 21 ideas!
🎄🎅 20. A Merry Birthday Party
Host the merriest of birthday parties for your friend with a Christmas-themed gathering! Play Santa Claus and give them the magic of the holiday season on their birthday!
Everyone loves a good Christmas party, so why not combine the season’s magic with your friend’s birthday? Decorate your party space with a red carpet and add a Christmas tree. Hang candy canes and snowflakes around the room, along with some gift boxes.
Ask the guests to dress in red and white to keep up with the theme! And serve traditional Christmas dishes such as eggnog, gingerbread cookies, mashed potatoes, and a Christmas yule cake as the birthday cake! Remember to add some holiday music to set the mood for the party!
Have yourself a merry little birthday!
💡 Plan a holiday-inspired birthday bash for your bestie with our top Christmas birthday party ideas!
Conclusion
Planning a friend’s birthday party is no mean feat; it requires research and ensuring that the chosen theme or idea will please the celebrant. When picking an idea, it’s essential to take into account the celebrant’s preferences so that they will not perceive the gesture as an unpleasant surprise! If you need clarification on the theme or idea, talk to the celebrant to ensure they’re up for the birthday party.Read our birthday party planning blog post to help you plan your event from scratch.
If you’re planning a birthday party within a budget, get inspired with our 12 cheap birthday ideas, and for those planning a unique and super creative birthday for their special ones, hop on to our creative birthday party ideas for a memorable celebration. You can adjust the ideas according to your celebrant’s age and preferences!
Happy planning!
FAQ
What are some affordable birthday ideas for a friend’s birthday party?
Birthdays don’t have to cost a fortune. Many affordable and creative ways exist to celebrate your friend’s special day. Consider hosting a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish, having a picnic in the park, or organising a movie night at home with homemade popcorn and snacks. You could also explore low-cost outdoor activities like hiking, a beach day, or a bike ride. Tailor the celebration to your friend’s interests, and remember that the thought and effort count, not the price tag.
What type of surprise party can I plan for my friend’s birthday?
Start by thinking about what your friend enjoys the most. You could organise a themed surprise party, like a Summer Luau with tropical decorations and cocktails, or a Winter Wonderland with cosy blankets and hot cocoa. Alternatively, plan a surprise adventure day with activities they love, such as a spa day, outdoor sports, or a shopping spree. Keep the guest list a secret and coordinate with friends to ensure the surprise goes off without a hitch. For more ideas, check out our surprise birthday party blog post.
What are some tips for planning a friend’s birthday party?
Planning a friend’s birthday party can be a breeze with the right approach. Start by thinking of your friend’s preferences and interests. Choose a theme or activity that they will enjoy. Be mindful of the guest list, ensuring it includes people your friend enjoys spending time with. Set a budget and plan well to secure venues, decorations, and necessary supplies. Remember to consider dietary restrictions when ordering food or cake. Finally, create a memorable atmosphere with thoughtful decorations and activities that reflect your friend’s personality.
What are some of the best ideas for a great birthday party for a friend?
Consider a camping trip or a beach bonfire party if they love the outdoors. For a creative friend, organise a craft or art-themed gathering. A themed party, like a retro ’80s bash or a masquerade ball, can also be a hit. Alternatively, plan a day filled with their favourite activities, such as visiting a theme park, going to a concert, or embarking on a food tour of their favourite cuisine. Ultimately, the key to a great birthday party is tailoring it to your friend’s passions and making them feel special.
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