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Jenna O'Brien's avatar

GROUP PROJECT:

Please describe the most unique birthday party you’ve ever attended - and why it stood out!

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danniby's avatar

my friend's have always been so gracious in letting me drag them camping for my birthday parties! it's a rich tradition i cherish. dunkin donuts the morning we leave is a requirement. i think one of my favorites was for a college friend where her boyfriend became alex trebech and hosted a birthday jeopardy game about her life. there was a lot of laughter and we revisited old memories and learned new things about her! 10/10 recommend

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Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Oh I love your camping trips! I also love the donut tradition. Incredible.

I’ve never heard of a Jeopardy party but now I think everyone should try haha! How memorable!

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joshlchinn's avatar

love the intentionality, and I find that way more often than not, intentionality is met with others' curiosity, respect, and joyful engagement. so fun celebrating you!

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Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Grateful to have you there!!

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Haphuong Nguyen's avatar

Wow was not expecting to get a little emotional reading this. I'm that person that feels loves to host but also feels like "i'm not worth celebrating on my birthday". So thank you for the tips, thank you for the reminder, and I can't wait to plan my 32nd <3

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Riley's avatar

Thank you for sharing this! I just celebrated my 27th birthday and the text I sent my friends to invite them to dinner literally read, “If I did a chill dinner for my bday next Wednesday would yall come??!!” …as if asking this of them was a massive burden.

I am feeling inspired by your call to embrace muchness and reject nonchalance. Taking this as a nudge to start dreaming about my 28th birthday party!

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kat's avatar

My birthday is coming up :') and my very overly anxious and sensitive self is worrying over how i should spend my special day. I worry over being too simple, too broke, and too wrong to plan a celebration, but reading this post has made the idea of planning less dreadful. Thank you :)

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Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Happy almost birthday, Kat! 🤎 Your friends will love spending time with you however the time may be spent! I hope it is a very special day!!

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Christina's avatar

I love what you said in step one about defining your purpose- so necessary! If you haven’t yet read The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker, I think you’d really enjoy it. You’re already siblings in thought!

Group project contribution: I was so impressed by my friend’s zoom birthday I attended. She had designated activities: trivia, a drop-in chat designed like an open house, and more. I was so proud of how intentional each activity was, so there were not 5 people talking over each other, or alternatively, not anyone speaking at all. Those lockdown birthdays deserve a special gold star for innovation!

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Jenna O'Brien's avatar

Oh yes!! One of my favorite books ever - you get it! She is a genius and greatly helped me understand gathering and hosting.

I am amazed by the Zoom party! How innovative and memorable!

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