It’s common to feel less enthusiastic about your birthday as you age, but the unique birthday ideas for adults in this post are the perfect antidote. After all, you’ve handled all the ups and downs life has thrown your way so far, and that’s definitely worth celebrating!
In this post, you’ll find 7 unique birthday ideas for adults with a variety of interests and personalities. I’ve also included some great adult birthday party ideas and fun birthday activities for adults!
Jillee’s Take:
Table Of Contents
7 Unique Ways To Celebrate Your Birthday As An Adult
1. Write And Reflect
Take time on your birthday to reflect on the previous year. What are your proudest accomplishments from the past year, and what could you have handled better?
Consider the year ahead and imagine where you’d like to be in your life — physically, mentally, or emotionally — this time next year. Write these reflections in your journal, or create a document on your phone or computer you can add to on your next birthday!
2. Celebrate Like Your Ancestors
Put a personal twist on your birthday by highlighting your heritage! Our ancestors all had ways of celebrating special occasions, and practicing those traditions on your birthday can be a meaningful way to connect (or reconnect) with your roots.
I’ve started exploring Danish birthday traditions and practices to honor my Danish heritage. One of my favorites so far is baking my own cake and sharing it with loved ones (while displaying plenty of Danish flags, of course!)
Search online for birthday traditions associated with your heritage to find something interesting to try!
3. Get Birthday Freebies
We all love getting free stuff, so why not spend your birthday collecting as many birthday freebies as you possibly can? The Real Deal has an extensive list of birthday freebies you can receive on your special day.
Some offers require you to sign up for an email list or download an app to be eligible for a birthday freebie, but you can always unsubscribe or delete later!
“Great ideas. I always remember the saying [that you’re] getting older and wiser. My mom and I have birthdays 2 days apart in October. We usually go to lunch and finish birthday shopping. We started doing the shopping a week before when I was a teen and my siblings like to do it too. […] I love the birthday freebies. So much fun.”
– OGT Reader Christym
4. Treat Yourself
Treat yourself to something special on your big day! There’s nothing wrong with splurging a bit, but you don’t have to spend a lot for it to feel like a treat.
You might stop by your favorite bakery for breakfast (or make some mini omelet muffins or a one-pan breakfast sandwich), then take some time to read or do a crossword in the afternoon. Whatever feels indulgent to you is fair game!
5. Overcome A Challenge
Your birthday is the perfect opportunity to push yourself to new heights! There’s nothing like the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction after doing something challenging, whether starting a fitness routine or having a difficult conversation you’ve been putting off.
Start your next year of life on the right foot by doing something that makes you feel strong and capable of anything!
More Ideas You'll Love
6. Plan A Weekend Getaway
Make your birthday an occasion to remember by planning a weekend getaway with your friends or family! A few days in a vacation rental can be surprisingly affordable if everyone is willing to chip in. (Don’t forget to double-check these 10 things before you leave!)
7. Do Something Good
Use your birthday as an opportunity to do something good for someone else! Get together with a few friends and volunteer for an afternoon at a local food bank, animal shelter, or other organization in need of volunteers.
You could also donate useful items to charity as a fun birthday activity! Find out what items your favorite charitable organization needs, then spend an afternoon shopping for items and dropping them off.
Top 5 Birthday Party Ideas For Adults
Whether you are a grown adult or teenager, a party or get-together with loved ones can refresh your soul and relax your mind. If you feel too old for a traditional birthday party, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate your birthday in style and sophistication.
You don’t need a cake or over-the-top decorations to make your birthday unique, memorable, meaningful, and special! Check out the top 5 adult birthday party ideas and fun birthday activities for adults below.
1. Movie Night
Why not plan a movie night with friends or family? Create the perfect movie marathon playlist to ensure a stress-free experience. You could mix horror, drama, and comedy movies, or just watch your all-time favorite movie!
A movie night can make for a memorable party that uniquely celebrates your birthday. Enlist help with snacks, drinks, and treats, and be sure to provide plenty of pillows and blankets!
2. Pool Party
If your birthday falls in the warmer seasons, one of the best ways to celebrate is to plan a pool party with your friends. Or go beyond the pool party experience and book a water park (or part of one) for a few hours to enjoy your birthday to the fullest!
There are plenty of fun games and sports you can play in the water with your friends or family, like tug-of-war, volleyball, pool basketball, races, and more. Keep a beverage cooler and poolside snacks handy while you are in the pool, or plan an easy meal like pizza, lasagna, or barbecue chicken to enjoy later on.
3. Games Or Competitions
Many older adults convince themselves it would be “inappropriate” for someone their age to play games or get competitive, but that’s just not true! Engaging in games and sports is just as beneficial for adults’ well-being as it is for young people, and it can help eliminate boredom and loneliness.
More Ideas You'll Love
So why not celebrate your birthday as an adult by arranging a few indoor or outdoor party games to play with friends and family? You could choose board games, video games, outdoor sports, or a combination of all. Prepare small prizes for winners to make the games more exciting.
4. High-Tea
A high-tea party can be a fun and sophisticated way to celebrate your birthday as an adult. Spending time chatting and enjoying snacks and tea with loved ones is sure to make your birthday feel special and memorable.
Birthdays are a great opportunity to spend quality time and make life-long memories with our loved ones. Capture those precious moments by bringing a photographer along to your high-tea party!
5. Spa Day
Not much of a party animal? Pamper yourself with self-care, skin and body treatments, and a day of relaxation. Book an appointment for a full-body massage or other soothing spa services to pamper your body and mind.
Bonus Tip: If your husband doesn’t like his birthday to be a big deal either, give him a heartfelt card instead! These 35 birthday greetings for husbands are sure to inspire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Celebrate My Birthday In A Unique Way?
To celebrate your birthday uniquely, do something you enjoy! Whether you love shopping, dining out at restaurants, watching movies, or enjoying a day at the spa or salon, anything unique to you is a perfect way to celebrate your special day.
How Do You Make An Adult Birthday Party Special?
To make an adult birthday party special, plan fun activities with tasty food and drinks to enjoy. Want to take the party up a notch? Book a comedian or musician, or have a photo shoot with friends and family to create long-lasting memories!
Conclusion
Planning birthday celebrations as an adult can be challenging, but there are plenty of meaningful birthday rituals for adults packed with fun, enjoyment, and adventures!
On your birthday, plan to do something you love or have wanted to do for a long time. It’s your special day, so do something that feels special and unique to you, from a brunch outing to a pool party!
How do you celebrate your birthday as an adult?
I know it’s not related to your post, but I didn’t realise you were left-handed, so am I.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had sent flowers to my Mom for years on my birthday and let her know how much I loved her. It’s what I miss most about my day and have not celebrated in years since my Mom passed. I did like the idea of heritage traditions. I might try that this year. Thanks for the idea.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Happy Birthday Jillee! My inspirational ‘friend’ on the net!
I tried many of your ideas and every single one worked! And saved me some $ too…
Cheers from Canada!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When my mother was still alive, I used to send her flowers on MY birthday – was always fun to hear her response (and of her friends who wondered why she got the posies!). One year I sent flowers to my in-laws on my husband’s birthday – to thank them for him. They were surprised and delighted. Just an idea….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Back again… I have to give credit for the flower idea to the daughter of one of my old friends – young woman now has kids in college. I think she still does the flower thing for her mom on her own BD…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a cute idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Something I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet is to go to the nearest maternity ward and see all the new babies that were born on my birthday or treat my husband to that surprise. We always are shocked when we find that special person who also shares our same day of birth.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A few years ago I planned a progressive birthday dinner for me, my husband, and my sister. We picked her up about 3:30 p.m. and by the time we’d hit four restaurants (apps and cocktails, soup/salad, main entrée, dessert) and got her back home it was 11:30! Eight hours!! It was fun. Two states, 3 counties, 4 towns.
This year my husband and I will spend the night at the Castle Inn Bed’n Breakfast. A real castle and Friday night will be a Murder Mystery Dinner! We have been encouraged to dress for the period — early 1900s. Still working on our costumes. So looking forward to it!
P.S. It’s my birthday. Who knows what adventure I’ll come up with for future birthdays!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What wonderful ideas, Rose! Happy birthday! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the luggage! Is it a designer brand?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee, I am Norwegian descent and I never knew you were Danish decent. We know what good food is ! I like your spirit and encouragements, to be kind to ourselves on our Birthday. We are always so concerned for our love ones and tend to forget we need uplifting as well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Carla, we definitely know about good food! We all need to be kind to ourselves! Thank you! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Your post today made my heart smile! I will be 82 on Valentine’s Day and love birthdays. Whenever anyone is shocked and says, “I can’t believe that you are going to be 82!”, I smile and say, “And, if you are lucky, one day you will have that blessing as well.” Birthdays are a special gift in themselves! I plan to go snowshoeing this year as I did on my 80th – a challenge that I have started the last years and wish I had started earlier. Have loved your posts way back when you spoke of Fargo as I went to college across the river at Concordia and have a daughter in Fargo now. I have lived in Montana again for many years now.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Karyl, I love your attitude! I believe it is an attitude about life like yours that adds to living longer! Happy birthday to you… and may you celebrate many more!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Happy Birthday! My birthday is next month too and turning 73 is daunting until I thought to turn those numbers around and be 37! Lol! We are trying to retire from the farm (which isn’t easy) and so lots of changes could be around the corner. I will celebrate by going to see both my daughters and see my grandsons play basketball!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My ‘Grammie Ed’ WAS 36 for years… Enjoy!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a surprise I got this morning on MY birthday when I saw your latest email. Such perfect timing. I tend to celebrate the whole month of January by seeing friends, volunteering, and giving thanks for the wonderful people in my life especially my loving husband. I “got” him through a dating service 34 years ago with a half off coupon so he’s the best bargain I’ve ever found.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Happy birthday Judy!! Sound like you really know how to celebrate your birthday! I love the month long celebration. Your comment about your husband being the best bargain made me giggle. Have a wonderful day! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Fantastic Judy! You are now giving hope to a whole lot of people! Your post is so cute (don’t tell him I said that) and is probably inspiring others to try new ways to meet a spouse/companion! So…I see at least 4 things here: 1. Giving romantic hope. 2. Making people laugh. 3. Spreading luv to others less fortunate. 4. How to use a bargain!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So… I hope your birthday was awesome. Cheers!
What a great post, Jillee! You really came up with a great list and I want to do them all! Thanks so much!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Years ago (before I started getting old) someone pointed out that the alternative to turning a year older was death, so being a year older was looking pretty good! We mourn those who die “too young” but at the same time we don’t celebrate being on this earth for another year. This has been a year of loss for me, but I try to remember and be thankful for those whom I still have in my life.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Terry, I love what you wrote! We all need to remember to count our blessings.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I know your feeling and admire your comment alot! What a great attitude you have kept. Understanding your loss and feelings is very good…I hope when your birthday comes around you are able to enjoy and be with those in your life you clearly deserve it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sending peace from Canada
I have a friend who celebrated his birthday by doing a random act of kindness for each of his years. It can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. It could be a solo activity or a group activity … the sky is the limit!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Happy Birthday everyone!
Great ideas. I always remember the saying your getting older and wiser. My mom and I have birthdays 2 days apart in October. We usually go to lunch and finish birthday shopping. We started doing the shopping a week before when I was a teen and my siblings like to do it too. For the ones who are away she’ll send packages and some extra money. In recent years the going out has included my dad who’s retired. We try to do a birthday celebration for the nearby family often. I love the birthday freebies. So much fun.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I also like what you said about learning about your heritage. My moms family is 1/2 Swedish. Her Dads parents were immigrants and I guess in those days you kind of abandoned your old country’s ways when you came here. So my Grandpa (moms dad) wasn’t able to pass these along. I’ve had to learn a lot about their culture by reading up. They do eat lots of fish which I’m glad they didn’t pass that down. Grandpa did hunt quite a bit when he was alive.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My younger sister(by 2 years) and I have our birthdays in November. When she was turning 50 I took her on a 4 day weekend to New Orleans. We’ve been doing this for the past 9 years, always a different place and always less then $1000 for the 2 of us. We have such fun reconnecting and learning things from where we visit. And it’s short enough that we don’t get on each other’s nerves.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Happy upcoming birthday Jillee. I live in the Republic of Panama and have subscribed to an outfit that offers coupons, sort of like Groupon and I always look out for the 50% off on hotel stay for one night coupons. Even if it’s close to where we live, it’s so nice to “get away” and have a nice meal at the hotel, swim the next morning, drink coffee on the balcony, etc. That’s my birthday treat and it doesn’t cost a fortune. We are lucky enough to have year round nice weather here. Thanks for all that you do for all of us.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I celebrated my birthday on year by surprising my family by giving them birthday presents. It was fun; I did it on some significant birthday year. Had a number of them, so not sure which one. But they still talk about it, lol.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Like the birthday ideas, especially the traditional idea. I have a question which is sort of on topic. I have an instant pot and crock pot. Do I need my crockpot ?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have never used my crockpot for cooking in the 3+ years that I have had my instant pot. However, I have saved my crockpot for serving various items that I want to keep warm on a buffet table – like soups, etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee!
Thanks for the birthday post. My birthday is coming up in early March and yes, celebrating it seems a bit ‘ugh’. This past year hasn’t been the greatest so I am trying to be optimistic as I reach my late ’50’s. Noticed a lot of changes in myself in the past year.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Dear Sylvia, you don’t know me but… embrace these years and do what you can and love to do. I am ahead of you in years and understand and even coming right here to this site Jillee is a great inspiration and her vast knowledge helped me get through hip surgery and several other things like mentalpause… :)
Cheers and have a great birthday. Stay in the positive.
PS I get to still golf and that makes me happy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Happy Birthday
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Happy Birthday early. My birthday is next month also. I really liked #1. I turned 70 last year & it’s a good time for reflection.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Happy early birthday to you too!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great post and an early Happy birthday!
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