Planning an Adult Birthday Party: Here’s What I’m Thinking
It’s that time of year when I like to start planning my birthday. Planning an adult birthday party for myself is a different experience than planning a birthday party for my kids!
Some years I want to go big—like camping with out-of-state friends or a random acts of kindness scavenger hunt. And other years I want the smallest and most intimate celebration.
Last year, I thought I didn’t want anything at all. And then I was suddenly sad on my birthday. I was so grateful when my friend Cristina invited us over for an impromptu party after we touched based in the middle of the day and she realized how sad I was.
Ideas for This Year
This year I’m definitely feeling like I want to do something. The idea that is at the very top of my heart is an adult dinner party. I would love to gather our six closest friends for an evening of good food, good conversation, good drinks, maybe a board game or two, and dancing. I have no idea if I could pull off the dancing part, but they always make it seem so natural in the movies!
The biggest stumbling block is babysitting. I wouldn’t want to create a huge hassle for my friends. Maybe I could find some kind of “adult night out” babysitting thing and align our party with that? For example, our local climbing gym has those kinds of “nights out” twice a month.
Or I could hire a babysitter to watch all the kids. I want to make it as easy as possible for my friends.
As for the dinner itself, I want it to be delicious and worth my friends’ time/effort. That’s not easy for me to provide, since I’m a pretty terrible cook! And most of the folks are gluten-free. And Matt and I are vegetarian. It’s a very tricky combination.
I might get some things catered by the grocery store, or I might make something like gluten-free lasagna which is just like basic lasagna with a noodle substitution.
And I definitely want candles on the table.
And there are so many more things I would like to squeeze in! A game of charades? A game of Truth or Dare? Chatting around the fire pit? Playing ukulele and singing around the fire pit? And a dance party in the living room!
Yikes. I can’t fit in all these ideas.
Depending on our babysitting options, I think the party can run from about 5:45-9:45pm.
Schedule of Events
So maybe something like this?
5:45-6:45pm = Hang out around the table chatting and eating dinner
6:45-7:45pm = Charades & Dessert
7:45-8:45pm = Dance Party!
8:45-9:45pm = Cool off around the fire pit
With song books?
I’m seriously giddy with excitement about this idea!
Here are some of the recipes I’m considering:
- Vegetarian Lasagna: Some combination of this roasted vegetable recipe with this guidance for seasoned ricotta
- Cesar Salad: this recipe for dressing looks really good and homemade croutons!
- Flourless Chocolate Cake with ganache
Now I just need to check with my friends to see if they are up for it!