We’ve spent the summer and fall in Thailand this year, which means we are getting used to having birthdays in a foreign country. Since we’ve celebrated 9 together here this year, I’m going to share some of my favorite low-cost things to do in Chiang Mai to celebrate birthdays!
I’ll start with our favorite tradition: Using GRAB to get Dunkin Donuts for breakfast! We create each person’s number age by laying the donuts out on a large tray (or you can use the boxes too!). This is Elliot’s very first birthday donut number (insert happy tears):
If donuts are too expensive or they won’t deliver, you can also use prepackaged snacks from 7-11!
We decorate the table with balloons (from Big C, usually), and whatever I can find from around the house. This 13th birthday party was Lord of the Rings themed so I tried to make it elvish with plants, a candlelight dinner, and lots of “ring” party favors (ring chips and ring pops!). For dinner we served food from a LOTR-themed cookbook and even played Lord of the Rings music. With all the kids around the table like a medieval party, it was a highlight moment of my life! 🙂
For this birthday I gave everyone a colorful micro towel and popsicles for favors:
Speaking of party favors, Grab delivers lots of candy locally too, if you’re not able to make it to the store! As far as paper goods go, I have not been able to locate a good source yet for plates. When I found themed napkins at Koch in Hang Dong I stocked up for as many birthdays as I could.
After opening gifts, we let the birthday person pick their favorite restaurant for lunch:
Some of our favorite family restaurants for birthdays in Chiang Mai are Okjahu in San Sai, Yummy Pizza in Hang Dong, Chai “N” Thai at Nimman, Duke’s (anywhere!), and Taco Bell (Kad Farang). We also enjoyed Dinky’s Barbecue near Doi Suthep. Party size is always a consideration for us, so all of those restaurants have space for all 12 of us.
So many places have even been so kind as to give us a free dessert, too!
For activities, in the past we’ve driven up to special mountain viewpoints for sunset, visited the Cobra farm and Tiger Kingdom in Mae Rim. Another fun free activity in October is the American Fair! We had so much fun there.
For dinner the person picks their favorite cuisine and we enjoy cake (sometimes store-bought, though those aren’t enjoyed as much). It’s a fun, crazy life we live when we celebrate 12 birthdays a year! 🙂 With so much feasting, I kind of feel like we must be hobbits of a sort! 🙂
Having kids is so much fun! I just love it. I hope I get to throw them a birthday party even when they’re all grown. 😀
