Not everyone wants to spend their special day with others, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! If your idea of birthday heaven sounds something like sinking into a luxurious bubble bath, then diving into that book you’ve been meaning to read for far too long, we’ve created a guide full of things to do on your birthday alone.
It’s more than fine if you’d rather mark the occasion just you, and small, solo celebrations are often the most meaningful. So, if you’re spending your birthday alone this year, here’s some inspiration on how you can still make it one for the memory books. Sit back, relax, and let us do the birthday planning for you!
Have a relaxing spa evening
Nothing screams birthday self-care quite like a tranquil at-home spa set up. Think clay face masks, your fave fluffy bathrobe, and a hot bubble bath (ahhh…) Sounds perfect right? All you’ll need to do is gather your best self-care products, pop on a relaxing playlist, and spend your evening lazing around. Use your birthday as a well-deserved opportunity to relax, recharge, and switch off from the world. For a few blissful hours, you won’t have to worry about anyone but yourself.
If you’re sold on this idea (we don’t blame you, we are too) then head over to our guide on how to have a spa day at home.
Cook yourself your favourite meal
Leave behind the stress of a ten-person birthday dinner and host a solo feast this year. First, head to the shops and gather your ingredients for a starter and a main, then pick up the bits for some cocktails too. No dinner party is complete without dessert (and no birthday is complete without cake) so why not channel your inner baker and whip up a birthday cake for yourself? Think chocolate fudge, traditional sprinkles, or heavenly lemon meringue.
Once you’ve finished, all that’s left to do is set the table and dig in. Or, if you’re hoping to put your feet up this year, book a table at that restaurant you’ve been meaning to try! Go wild with ordering and indulge in starters, sweet treats, and drinks.
Plan a solo trip
Still wondering what to do on your birthday alone? A solo adventure to a bucket list destination might be exactly what you’re craving. You could satisfy your travel bug and indulge in a European getaway to really treat yourself. Or, make memories closer to home with a staycation! Just hop in your car or jump on the train and set off on a day of fun. Birthdays don’t have to be about grand gestures or big plans, sometimes something as simple as this can give you a day you’ll never forget.
Spend some time outdoors
Another solo idea for adventure-hungry birthday folk is to simply spend some time outdoors! You shouldn’t underestimate the power of nature on your birthday (or on any day for that matter) as it can play a big part in boosting your mood.
If you’re a seasoned walker, head out on one of your favourite walking trails to soak in some bday fresh air and sunshine. Or, if your natural habitat is your favourite corner on the sofa (don’t worry, this is a judgement-free zone) why not try something new and head out on a stroll? Grab your headphones, fill up your water bottle, press play on your favourite podcast, and head off on your birthday adventure.
Learn something new
Still wondering how to make your birthday special for yourself? Forgetting that yoga class you’ve been meaning to sign up for? Or that cooking course you’ve been promising yourself you’ll give a shot? There’s no time like your birthday than to try out a new skill!
If you’d prefer to dive into something at home, why not try your hand at arts and crafts? You could create a birthday scrapbook filled with all your fave memories from the past year. Just dig out those art supplies, print your pics, and make a memory-style scrapbook to treasure.
Write yourself a letter
This final idea on how to celebrate your birthday alone is one of our personal faves. You don’t need to be a journalling expert, you’ll simply need a pen, some paper, and your thoughts (we know it sounds scary, but trust us).
Just let your thoughts flow and write a letter addressed to your future self to open on next year’s birthday. You can record your favourite memories from the past year, and also write about what you’re hoping to achieve by your next birthday. Letter writing, especially when you know you’re the only one who’s ever going to see it, is therapeutic and allows you to get things off your chest. So, let go of any bad vibes you’ve been harbouring and go into your new year feeling ready to tackle whatever life throws at you.
Solo birthday ideas: Plan what makes you happy
While a solo birthday might sound daunting, it can actually be super fun and memorable. From scrapbook-making to solo adventures and letter-writing, there are countless solo birthday ideas to dive into. And if you’re still wondering what to do on your birthday alone, here are a few more options:
- Treat yourself to a gift, whether that’s fresh flowers, chocolates, or something you’ve had your eye on for a while
- Make a birthday playlist filled with all your favourite songs
- Book a hotel room, snuggle up in bed, and order room service
- Indulge in some retail therapy with a birthday shopping trip
- Take yourself on a solo cinema date (popcorn and treats mandatory)
- Make a vision board and set some goals for the upcoming year
No matter what you decide to do on your special day, hopefully you’re now equipped with ideas on how to make your birthday special for yourself. Be intentional with your celebrations, but most importantly have fun! Your birthday is a day for you after all, so celebrate in a way which makes you happy.
Lastly, we’ve got plenty more ideas over on our thortful blog, including a guide on what to do on your birthday filled with fun options which can be adapted to fit solo celebrations.
Or, if you know someone who’s going to be celebrating alone this year, check out our range of birthday cards and make them smile from afar with one of our designs. We’ve got funny, cute, traditional (and even cheekily rude) cards for you to choose from!
