8 Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday This Year (That Don’t Involve a Bar)

Invite your dear friends over to help you prepare a feast. They can bring a favorite recipe or help you with yours (an Ina Garten one, of course). And don’t worry: Your friend who can’t even make ice can help set the table. While it’s a lot of work, sitting down for your birthday meal will feel extra special knowing who helped make it (and yeah, who set the table).

You decided you are not doing any dishes on your birthday. We feel you. Instead, see if your favorite restaurants around town have private rooms you can reserve. Kick back in an intimate, swanky setting that’s yours for the evening—and you don’t have to touch one dirty plate.

…With your best friends, of course. Whether that’s trying out an open mic, skydiving or tasting pâté, there’s no better time to step outside your comfort zone. And since you’ll have all your favorite people there to support you, you’ll feel ready to dive right in. 

Maybe you’ve always wanted to knit. Or maybe you’ve secretly hidden your affinity for belly dancing. Or pole dancing. (Hey, we all have our thing.) When it’s your birthday, you can make all your friends learn that new thing with you. And we guarantee you’re not the only person who wanted to strip knit.

Sometimes, you’ve just gotta get outta Dodge. And great news, there are probably plenty of spots you can head around where you live. Rent some tents and hit the road. Just make sure to bring s’mores (that’s the whole point, after all).

Who said laser tag was just for 12-year-olds? (Well, sure, a lot of people.) But hey, your competitive friends will love it—have you seen them in Soul Cycle? Or maybe you organize a trampoline-jumping night with a side of dodgeball. Or give everyone a bunch of coins and go wild in the arcade. You’ll be surprised how fun it feels to act like a kid again.

Let’s face it—you and your crew have an unspoken agreement. Book club = wine club. Well, you actually read 100 Years of Solitude and you really want to talk about it, dammit. Hey, it’s your party and you can force all of your friends to actually read if you want to.

Pick a spa, any spa. Now invite a few friends and soak it all in. Get a mask, a massage and a mani/pedi in your favorite color. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, beautified and ready to take on another year.