Birthday Parties

With a birthday of mine less than 2 months away, I thought that a short segment on birthdays would be great timing. 
From Chuck E Cheese parties during my earlier birthdays to the more popular group dinners and food-related celebrations in recent years, food has never failed to be the center of attention at a birthday party. This can be incredibly stressful for both the parent and the child, and cause the anguish of feeling singled out. I have felt this time and time again. With ample experience from over the years, I’ve got a few tips for you to use for your next birthday gathering.

1. Bring your own treat. This may seem counterintuitive when dealing with the “feeling singled out” aspect of stress a birthday brings, but truly, it is better than feeling uncertain about or even not being able to eat the treat provided. Though bringing my own popsicle bar or homemade cake slice may grant me one or two odd glances, in the grand scheme of things, it makes me feel much better about having something tried and tested to eat while everyone else eats a birthday cake, or other similar treat. 
2. Go to the food location or call them beforehand. If this birthday party is at a public place, such as a restaurant in town, it won’t hurt to do some of the awkward work before going to the party. If you want to make things simpler and enjoy yourself while at the party, follow these steps. 
   1. First, look up a menu online, and find four or five items that are generally safe for you, or that look like they would be. 
   2. Next, call the location and ask to speak to a chef. This step is very important, as the waiter or waitress will not always be completely knowing with regards of what is in each food item. There isn’t much room for error when it comes to food allergies, so don’t feel shy or rude to ask specifically for the chef. 
   3. Next, ask the chef about those few items that you picked out; don’t ask broadly, in order to minimize your risk of confusion or difficulty. You can even take note of the items that they say are safe, just to be sure you are completely clear. 
   4. Finally, double-check. There is nobody more responsible for your safety than yourself (or your parent). I can’t emphasize enough that you shouldn’t feel bad for asking over and over again, and confirming, and even double-checking, because it is your own safety that is at stake. 
3. If the party is for a close friend, let them know your tried and tested spots. This is a tip that can come in quite handy for home parties or smaller groups. If your friend is planning to get pizza and ice cream, it won’t hurt to let them know that you can safely eat pizza at a few specific places, and that ice cream from a couple spots suits you best. Chances are at least one or two places will overlap, your friend will say yes, and you will find yourself not having to worry when the party begins.  

Hopefully, these tips will be useful for you in the future. Good luck, and happy birthday-partying!

Gauri