When you are a kid and your birthday seems like the greatest day in the world, there is one thing you never realize – just how expensive a birthday can be. It’s a fact that dawns on you early in your adult life, when you are throwing lavish parties to celebrate meaningless ages such as 27 or 33 and wondering “just why am I spending all this money?”
If that sounds like you, then help is at hand. Celebrating a birthday doesn’t have to be an ordeal that costs the GDP of a small country, you see. We’ve put together these six tips for celebrating your birthday on the cheap.
Throw a bring you own booze party
You want to have a party, but you can’t afford to feed and water everyone? Not a problem – just throw a bring your own booze party. There are an increasing number of American restaurants that are BYOB so why not adopt the policy for your birthday? Simply open up the doors of your flat and house and tell guests to bring as much alcohol as they think they can get through. You’ll have friends, booze and a night to remember.
Ask your friends to provide the entertainment
If you’ve got a talented musician friend who is part of a band or a mate who fancies himself as a bit of a stand up, then asking them to perform for your birthday can be a way of obtaining cost-free entertainment. Chances are they’ll say yes as it will be good exposure for them and your friendship circle will love seeing the talents on show from one of your number.
Look for free entertainment
In the summer months especially, many towns put on free entertainment in the day and evening which you can double up your birthday celebrations with. Whether it is a free comedy improv show involving up-and-coming comedians at a local theatre or an open-air concert in the park, pack up some food and beers and turn a free event into your own event.
Go on a pub crawl
Speaking of free entertainment, sometimes there is nothing more entertaining than a pub crawl. Select anything up to 10 bars and pubs and stop in at each one for one drink. It’s your birthday, so chances are your friends will be queuing up to buy you a drink and by moving from pub-to-pub frequently, you don’t have to hire one specific venue at a cost, while allowing you the great chancer to socialize with friends as the group becomes mixed up during the wander between places.
Take advantage of birthday specials
It isn’t just you and your friends that will want to celebrate your birthday, but some of the countries top companies as well. Grab that free coffee courtesy of Starbucks Rewards, have a complimentary desert as part of the Applebees Birthday Club and check your local area for bars that offer a free drink on your birthday.
Give something back on your birthday by volunteering
Perhaps you’d like to celebrate your birthday in the most selfless way possible – by giving something back to the community? Why not tell your friends that what you really want to do to mark the occasion is for you all to volunteer at a soup kitchen or help at a local event? It’s a great way to help those less fortunate than ourselves and you’ll be turning your birthday into a force for good, no matter how small the gesture.
