How would you mark a birthday (potentially alone) after a difficult year?

[didalittlenamechange]

It's my birthday tomorrow and, as someone who's not great at putting themselves in centre-stage, I haven't planned anything for it.

I'm single and live alone, and I'm fairly new to the place I live. I do have new friends in the area, but they're all either at work during the day, have kids to take care of in the afternoon / evening, or don't know one another.

I considered having a little gathering at my home at the weekend where people could meet one another – they're all lovely and I'm sure would have got on – but I overthought it and it's too late now.

So: if you were having a birthday, wanted to mark it somehow, however small, either alone or with friends on the day / in the following days / didn't want to put pressure on anyone with a last-minute invite, what would you do?

It's not a big deal if I don't do anything, but I've had a really difficult year and I would like to put a little marker of something nice into the mix.

Happy birthday for the weekend OP. Why don’t you send out a message inviting people to meet for lunch and see who responds. If no one can come, take yourself somewhere lovely that you fancy going to. Do you like spa days? I treated myself to a spa day on a lovely day recently and had afternoon tea and it was a real treat.

I'd have booked a holiday months ago! But if at home, I would take myself out for tea and cake.

I have given myself a treat day visited a museum, had a lovely lunch and then finished off with a theatre visit. I really enjoyed it.

At the weekend why not ask a few people if they want to come round for a curry (or easy food of choice).

Whatever you do have a lovely day.

Absolutely, personally I wouldn’t enjoy having people around as can’t be asked with hosting and entertaining people. But I always do something special for my birthday. What do you enjoy? I do have Dh and dc, but this year I’m away at a conference for my birthday. One of my favourite musicals in opening a new West End run a few weeks before, so since I’ll be in London anyway, I may take myself. Otherwise, I’d go for a hike or a sea swim or take myself out for a nice meal or cook something nice at home.

I would ask people if they wanted to pop round sometime on Saturday for tea and cake but ask what a good time for them would be on the day. Make it a sort of open house and if they cross paths so be it. Ask for a rough indication of time. In the evening I would go and see a show if I could get tickets or the cinema and have a take away. If no one was available I would go for a massage or maybe take a train to a city that’s an hour away from me for a wander about.

Happy Birthday

It's a great chance to reach out to your new friends.
"My birthday has crept up on me this year. Bit last minute, but if any of you would like to /come to mine for lunch / join me for a picnic / meet at the Red Lion for a drink or two, that would be lovely."

Personally I’d go for a long walk on my own.

Happy birthday! I’d take myself out for a coffee and cake and buy myself a pre-loved book (charity shop book sections are under rated and I love them)!

I think asking people at this late stage would lead to lots of people potentially saying no and making you feel down, so I would concentrate on doing solo things you really fancy- a trip to see something you want to, or a theatre trip. Or a shopping day where you treat yourself to something you really like followed by the cinema and a meal or take away.

If nobody is free, take yourself out somewhere nice and put a reminder in your diary to organise something for next year.

Happy birthday for tomorrow. If it's not too late why not book onto a cooking or art class or something like that? might be a bit too close now! but that's what i'd do. something that will make me feel like i have achieved something at the end of it

I'd take myself out, alone, for a day that would be full of things I'd enjoy.

A walk on the beach.
A trip to my favourite book shop.
Breakfast out somewhere nice.
A later lunch, with my new books.
A wander round some shops (if I was in the mood).
Maybe get my nails done.
Or maybe a massage.

I'd include friends if I genuinely wanted company but I'd probably be happier doing it on my own and not having to consider others.

I like taking myself off to a hotel for a couple of nights. (Somewhere I adore, or a new place, if there’s something like a play or concert to take me there.) Or to a fabulous restaurant with a great wine list.

I wouldn’t risk inviting new friends to do anything at short notice.

Happy birthday @didalittlenamechange ! 🥳 Along with all the other wonderful suggestions, I’d try arranging something for next weekend or later in the month with your new friends. Giving an extra couple weeks’ notice could open up people’s calendars.

For myself, I’ve spent my birthday alone lots of times and greatly enjoy it. I usually focus on art and food. I choose a few exhibitions to visit and a restaurant or two for the day. And I stop by a nice grocery store or patisserie on the way home to get a treat for eating at home… by myself… that I don’t have to share with anyone!

I would take a two-prong approach -- do something lovely and enjoyable solo tomorrow (art exhibition, theatre, gig, walk somewhere beautiful, eat delicious food?) and invite people to a low-key gathering in your house at the weekend to celebrate a little late.

Happy birthday for tomorrow - it's mine too, and I have nothing planned at all. DH has taken the day off work, so we might go out for a drive, but unlikely 'cos the car's playing up at the moment. I've got some fillet steaks and mushrooms (low carbing!) for tomorrow's dinner, and that's about it! I'll probably have my favourite breakfast (smoked Polish belly pork and fried eggs), and then spend some of the afternoon binge-watching The Vampire Diaries.

Life doesn't get much better than this! :)

Ooh, have a lovely day tmrw. I’d have a relaxing day at home with a book or film, then a take away later. Maybe treat myself to a glass of fizzy wine, lol. Probably buy a cupcake or two as well. I’d maybe also invite a few friends for drinks for say, next week, so people have time to respond.

I would go for a facial and/or a massage, as that is something I really enjoy and it's normal to go on your own.

If you were already considering celebrating with gathering on a day that isn’t your actual birthday, would you consider pushing it on to the following weekend instead?

I’m a proponent of birthdaymonth! I’m not a party person, so tend to have a lot of little coffee dates and lunches around my birthday.

I’ve enjoyed a couple of recent birthdays alone. One was a Monday when friends were working. I went for a haircut then had a nice lunch at a local cafe before popping into a new cosy bar for a glass of wine and read my book. I’ve also done a spa evening and hotel stay, had dinner at the hotel then got some treats and chilled in the room.