When a friend’s birthday rolls around and you can’t be together to celebrate, the next best thing is to bring the celebration to creative valentine ideas for him with a birthday care package. Who wouldn’t love to find a happy birthday box at their doorstep?
Care packages can be as fun and unique as the birthday person—the possibilities are endless. We put our party hats on and came up with some birthday care package inspiration for you. Just add your own creative twist on our ideas to make them truly one of a kind. Show you know them with a just-for-them birthday care package. The best way to get creative ideas is to focus on the birthday person. What are some of their favorite things? What unforgettable memories do you want to remind them of?
Been friends for a long time? Break out some vintage photos of the two of you and make a birthday care package that’s a blast from the past. Fill it with nostalgic snacks, a link to a retro playlist, a card that recounts your favorite memories together and maybe even some BFF jewelry. If your friend can’t take that beach vacation they’ve been dreaming about, bring the beach to them. Include yummy-smelling sunscreen, a beach towel, sunglasses and a postcard of their favorite ocean view.
Just because you can’t be in the same place on their birthday doesn’t mean you can’t get some quality time. Start a shared journal you can pass back and forth to keep a record of your lives and your friendship. Or send a book you love, bookmarked with notes and highlights. They can send it back with their comments and favorite parts—it’s like a long-distance book club. If they’re proud of where they live, help them show off their love for their city or state with a box of their favorite locally made products, accessories and stickers. Or go nostalgic: Make a care package filled with reminders of good times in their hometown or college town.
Grown-ups deserve to be celebrated, too. Turn up the fun factor with birthday-themed gifts. Top it all off with confetti. Turn their interests and hobbies into a one-of-a-kind gift.
Consider which hobby-specific items might need to be frequently replaced or updated—or include supplies they can never get enough of. Arrange some spices, sauces or marinades in a mixing bowl, or use a ribbon to tie a new mixing spoon to the top of a recipe organizer. Use fun, cute hand towels to wrap it up, and you’ve got a gift perfect for anyone who loves to cook. Support their healthy lifestyle with a wellness journal and add a Birthday Goddess water bottle for an extra element of fun.
A pet-themed bundle is perfect for all those dog and cat parents in your life. Celebrate a creative kid by giving them new ways to make stuff. A favorite TV show, movie, book or character is the perfect excuse to put together a themed birthday bundle for fans of all ages. Bring some fairy-tale magic to their birthday gift and make them feel like royalty. Add some jewelry or hair accessories to a basket topped off with their favorite flowers. Toast a crown-worthy adult with a princess wine glass or send a honeycomb princess to help a younger fan decorate their room or party.
Even muggles deserve a magical birthday. We all have that friend who celebrates the holidays all year round with Hallmark Channel movies. Pair a cozy blanket with a Hallmark Channel movie and a book, Hallmark Channel Movies Guide to a Happy Life. A Porg plush is also a great option for fans of any age. Unwrapping a gift is usually over in a hurry.
Instead, make the care package experience last a little longer. Tuck smaller packages inside of medium packages inside of bigger packages—like nesting dolls. Or if one day is just not enough to celebrate the special people in your life, celebrate their whole birth month with a card for every day or a calendar with a special message for each day. And if you want to build anticipation leading up to their birthday, make it a countdown with something for them on a few days in a row, with the most special gift on their birthday. Capture the scents of their birthday season. If it’s fall, you could include a pumpkin-spice scented candle or apple cinnamon tea. Or give them self-care products with their favorite aromatherapy scents or essential oils.