Post-Holiday Birthdays

Birthdays can always be a tricky thing at this time of year. Aside from the fact that Christmas was just a few weeks ago (making gift-giving difficult), it seems that everyone is partied out during the month of January. So if you have been put in charge of planning and/or hosting someone's surprise birthday bash, don't panic. Today I will offer you a few tips that should make the chore a little easier.

• Keep the menu simple and healthy. Though most people have long since forgotten that New Year's diet, your party guests will still want to avoid the richer foods so commonly served during the holidays. (After all, during the holidays - Jamie Lee Curtis's miracle yogurt can only do so much for the GI tract...)
  
  
• Don't be afraid to give gift cards to the birthday boy/girl. After the holidays it is very difficult to figure out what gift to give, and giving a gift card is a great way to help the birthday boy/girl purchase just the right thing. Just be sure that the gift card is appropriate. Somehow I doubt most 80-year-old grandfathers are going to be spending very much money at Victoria's Secret or the Happy Nails Nail Salon...
  
  
• And if the guest list is looking a little skimpy, stop by the liquor store. There are plenty of depressed people there who would be all too happy to be invited to a birthday party. (Plus – they'll make excellent bartenders at the party, so you won't get stuck mixing drinks all night...)