Once you move into a student house and become good friends with your flatmates, you’ll soon realise that birthdays will be plentiful. It can be expensive with the number of birthdays you will be celebrating. But it doesn’t have to be. You can throw each flatmate a surprise party or gathering for hardly any cash, as well as getting some amazing decorations and gifts. Here is how you can enjoy all of your flatmates’ and friends’ birthdays with a student wallet.
Give them a great night out for a present
Most of the best gifts you can buy are always too expensive, and cheaper presents are often underwhelming. While it is the thought that always counts, sometimes you want to do something great for your friend’s birthday, especially if it’s their 21st. Therefore, a night out is always a great way to celebrate. This may seem obvious, but here are some ways you can make it into a great gift.
– Buy them a sash which says ‘Birthday (gender)’ that they can wear to the bar/ club.
– Pay their entry fee.
– Buy them their drinks all night.
– For pre-drinks, buy them a cake and sing them happy birthday.
– Buy them the post-night out takeaway!
This can also work if you want to take your flatmate to a pub or a nice bar. There are lots of things you can do to make their night special without spending loads. Treating them to a night out is always a great gift idea, especially if you are all low on cash.
Split all costs between you
Again, this may seem obvious, but I feel as though people don’t realise how great it actually is. You can buy your flatmate a cake, decorations, a bottle of their favourite drink, then split the cost between yourselves. The cost will be minimal, and it also means that everyone can contribute if, for example, they have to work or are away for the birthday. It’s a great way to encourage people to get involved, particularly if they are shy or struggle with social anxiety. It also means that everyone will have their birthday properly honored, so everyone can experience the same treatment, regardless of your bank account.
Find your closest Card Factory
Card Factory is like the Primark of cards, gifts, balloons and decorations. They sell hundreds of different types of everything in such a small space, and they are all incredibly cheap. Don’t be tricked though; they are all great quality. You can get giant balloons for pretty much any occasion, and a store assistant can fill them with helium so you can have a great surprise party filled with amazing balloons. As well as this, they sell other decorations such as confetti and streamers. They also do a great range of birthday mugs, prosecco glasses, badges, sashes and much more.
A trip to Card Factory will cost you less than £10 for everything you need to decorate for a party or get-together which is Instagram and Snapchat worthy. I highly recommend it!
If you’re struggling to think of any gift ideas, here are some things that you could do which aren’t super expensive!
– Take them out for a meal.
– Buy them a bottle of their favourite drink.
– Host a cocktail night in your flat.
– Buy them a gift card for their favourite shop.
– Do a pub crawl or pub golf.
– Take them bowling or mini-golfing.
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