Want to make someone feel extra special? Whether it’s a big gesture or a small show of appreciation, here are some thoughtful ways to make anyone smile on their birthday.
Fun + Inspiration
Surprise! It’s easy to spark smiles on birthdays.
Inspiring ways to celebrate
If you celebrate in person:
• Pick a theme based on activities the person enjoys. Have a movie marathon, board game competition or a wine and cheese night. Keep reading to find ideas for special treats to serve.
If you can’t celebrate together:
• Send a “birthday-in-a-box” care package. You can include festive confetti, a homemade card, balloons or small gifts they’ll appreciate.
• Frame and gift a favorite photo of yourself with the recipient. It’s sure to kindle memories of fun times together.
• Make a splash with a birthday tribute video. Put together photos and videos from yourself, friends and family using video-making and editing software available online.
Birthday surprises kids will love
Kids are full of smiles on their birthdays. Here’s how you can make the day even more exciting:
• Decorate a birthday chair with balloons, streamers and signs.
• Fill a room with birthday balloons for a huge surprise when they wake up.
• Add fun to their oral health routine by playing their favorite song while they brush.
• Create a cheery lunch by adding a candle to a cupcake (see the recipe for a delicious and healthy option below!) or gift wrapping their utensils.
• Cut cheese, fruits and veggies into cute shapes like stars and hearts for a nutritious snack.
• Read them a birthday-themed book to end their big day.
Special treats for healthy smiles
You can also surprise people with tasty treats that won’t damage their smiles. For adults, plan a menu of healthy foods like fruit and veggie trays, shrimp and crustless mini quiches or try some of these Mouth-Friendly Recipes.
For a child’s birthday, ice pops are always a hit. You can make a healthy version by placing watermelon on wooden ice pop sticks — no freezing necessary. Or blend two cups of your favorite fruits and two cups of low-sugar plain yogurt and freeze in eight ice pop molds.
You can even make a sweet birthday cake substitute that’s not packed with added sugar! These cupcakes are sure to be a hit:
Healthier birthday cupcakes
Ingredients:
2½ large ripe bananas, mashed
¼ cup plain yogurt
½ cup water
3 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cup flour
1 cup ground almonds or almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Sugar-free whipped topping
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Mix bananas, yogurt, water, eggs and vanilla extract in a bowl.
3. Whisk dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
4. Stir dry and wet ingredients together.
5. Place cupcake liners in 12 muffin tins.
6. Spoon cake batter evenly into the muffin liners.
7. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. Let cupcakes cool.
9. Top with sugar-free whipped topping.
10. Enjoy!
First birthday dentist visit
It’s not as exciting as digging into a birthday cake, but it’s important for children to visit the dentist no later than their first birthday. Kids can get cavities as soon as teeth appear.
