How I Plan those Birthday Parties : The Listicle Edition

6 year old me loved having a birthday early in the year. It meant I got gifts and cake and the works much before others around me, and I got to be older than my friends. Fast forward 10 years, 16 year old me regretted it. Having a birthday in the first three months of the year meant that the board exams timetable overlapped with your celebrations perfectly. You can imagine my relief when I found out that I didn’t have a paper scheduled on my birthday, and neither did my friends. It meant only one thing. PARTY!

But how does one plan a party in the middle of a month long exam series that plays a crucial role in deciding the prospects of the rest of your life? I’ll tell you how.

One of the first things I decided on was who I wanted at the party.

As teenagers, we face immense social pressure. “What will she think if I don’t invite her?” and “He invited me to his party, how can I not invite him to mine?” are questions that we often think about. It is imperative to realise, however, that you birthday is a time to celebrate you. It does not matter who’s party you attended and what other people will think. You must only invite the people who you want around you on your special day. People who value you as a person. People in whose presence you feel comfortable and happy. 

I’m someone who’s entire year revolves around 2 events. Navratri, a festival I love, and my birthday. So, my invitations went out months in advance. These weren’t formal invitations, just messages to let them know that I wanted to celebrate with them and they should mark their calendars. In short, plan who you would like to celebrate with, and let them know early, so that they can be there for you.The second thing I picked was what we would do. I find that a lunch or dinner is really fun, because then me and my friends can just talk to each other for hours over good food. This is also another decision you should make for yourself, and not get influenced by what other people want to do. I’ve heard many people plan their parties keeping in mind what other people would enjoy doing. Of course you shouldn’t plan for activities that your friends would outright hate or things that make them uncomfortable, but your primary focus must be what you would enjoy doing, be it bowling, dancing, or playing sports.

One thing that I factor in when I’m planning the event is what we would eat.

Since people are likely to get hungry in any party that’s closer to 2 hours long, it is a good idea to plan the menu before hand. Nowadays, any party you attend has a standard menu - French fries, pizza, or pasta. In my opinion, it gets terribly boring. Some other food options to consider are: sushi and dim sums, quesadillas, sandwiches and sliders (burgers), and even street food! (pani puri, vadapav, dabeli)

The third thing I like to decide is the venue of the party.

If going for dinner, then the venue is likely to be a restaurant. There are several other places where the party can take place though. If it’s really close friends, you can call them home. Otherwise, going to a park for a day out, or places like the zoo are also great places to spend quality time with friends. Then of course are event venues like dance halls, bowling alleys, and the recently popularised pickle ball courts. Ideally, pick some place where you can be carefree (not careless) and just have a good time.Another thing to plan for is the timing that works best for you and your friends. Since my birthday was in the middle of exams, I scheduled a time that would be least disruptive to most people’s study schedules. I find dinner parties really fun, but lunch gives you a lot more wiggle rooms in terms of spending more time with each other. This is one decision I make with my parents, specifically because for most people pick ups and drops also need to be considered. Timings should me most convenient for you, but keep your friends in mind too.

The last thing I personally think about is what I want to wear.

To a lot of people, this last bit, and maybe even other thoughts in this article, may sound shallow. However, for me, it’s about putting on clothes that make me comfortable and happy. My birthday is a chance for me to celebrate all that went well in the last year and look forward to a new year that begins surrounded by the people I love. I recognise that it is an immense privilege. One of the reasons I enjoy my birthday so much is because on that day I can be unapologetically me, indulge in my wishes, and plan a day that I will remember for a long long time. 

So, there you have it. What do you keep in mind when you get down to planning your birthday party?

Written by Nandana Thakershy