5 fantastic ways to celebrate your birthday

“You’ve got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.” – Arthur Ashe

My birthday is equivalent to a federal holiday. I said what I said. Don’t debate me on this! Haha! With that said, each passing year, I am always thinking of something new, exciting, uplifting and / or fun to do. It’s not enough to just look over the top on your special day (which I did in this fabulous custom made dress if I do say so myself) but it’s always nice to enjoy the day in a memorable way. Many of us tend to not know what to do for our upcoming birthdays so that’s where this post comes in. Keep reading for 5 cool ways to celebrate your special day or any other day you feel like being extra!

1. Dinner cruise

One of my greatest pet peeves when it comes to outings with large groups is to have everyone become a financial expert at the end of dinner as they perform endless calculations to divide up the tab evenly which is unfair to those who ordered the bare minimum and an unfair treat to the big eaters. In order to avoid such chaos, scheduling a prepaid dinner cruise may be a better alternative. For my 27th birthday, I celebrated with a group of 14 on a yacht without having to worry about the logistics since everyone purchased their own ticket. Dinner was fantastic, the views of the city were magnificent and we danced the night away without a care in the world. If you’re looking for a classy way to celebrate your next birthday, give it a try! PS: Make sure all your guests arrive on time because otherwise, the boat will leave them behind! And if your budget allows it, you can rent a limo to pick up and drop off your squad to their respective destinations. That way everyone can have a drink or two without having to drive home afterwards.

2. Host a pajama party

Not all birthdays have to be over the top. If you’re more of a laid back person and prefer a relaxed kind of birthday, turn your special day into a fun night in with your friends. It can be similar to your usual game night or a pajama party like the one I hosted this year where I revealed my newly decorated bedroom to my friends. We ate, laughed and took plenty of pictures. These are the kind of memories that last a lifetime…

3. Plan a brunch

Last year, I surprised one of my besties in Florida and kind of crashed her birthday brunch. (This is what I wore) Good times! What made her brunch even more special was the attention to details ensuring all guests had a good time. The restaurant who hosted the event handled the food and provided a nice room where we could enjoy the afternoon without bumping into the rest of the restaurant’s guests. The birthday girl set up a photo booth which was the coolest thing ever: using a Polaroid camera, everyone took pictures that they decorated with stickers and colorful pens as they printed and then added them to an album. That’s a neat and inexpensive way to remember a milestone birthday. As if the great laughs and delicious foods weren’t enough, we ended the brunch by playing a pre-recorded video of friends and families who were not in attendance. We knew it was a success when we noticed the woman of the hour was in tears. It was a really nice touch to have all of her favorite people wish her a happy birthday and the best part is  that she can replay the video for years to come!

4. Host a gala

If you’d like to have a glam birthday where you’re able to invite more than a handful of people, hosting a gala is a great idea. Last year, since I was turning 30, I wanted to have a lavish celebration and as a result invited 100 of my closest friends and family to a formal night of fun at a chic venue. Such a larger scale event requires more planning but I can assure you that it’d be a birthday to remember.

5. Plan a weekend trip

A few years ago, a group of 4 of us headed to the Bahamas on a weekend cruise my birthday weekend. That was one of the coolest birthdays ever! We had lunch before checking in on the ship and since our cruise was only for one destination, once we arrived in the Bahamas, we docked and could go in and out as we pleased. Technically, the ship was our hotel at sea and we hit the town for as long as we could and had a good ole time. As usual, we brought formal outfits for the dress up night and still have those pictures to remind us how we used to look at 24! If you’ve never been on a cruise, go for it! You’ll have unlimited food and in my book, that’s directly proportional with having the time of your life.

BONUS: Go on a retreat

This year, my girls and I got to visit a church in New Jersey where we attended a mid day service and got to fellowship in a different environment before heading off to brunch. It was such a serene day away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. I could even recommend a weekend retreat where you’re disconnected from social media and truly can reflect on what the past year has taught you and what you are praying for and planning to achieve for the upcoming year. A day filled with peace, gratitude and reflection is guaranteed to be a great day! So cheers to more amazing birthdays going forward. Life is short so never stop celebrating!

Now your turn… How did you celebrate your last birthday? Which of the above ideas will you be considering for your next birthday?

Can’t wait to read your comments. Until next time!