A birthday, for most people, is a day to celebrate and have the spotlight on you. Many family’s have special birthday traditions that they follow each year. It may be a special breakfast, a home baked cake, or dinner at a favorite restaurant. Whatever it may be, you are now faced with the realization that your student is going to be celebrating their birthday away from home at college. If you are wondering how can you make it special for them while they are at school, here are four suggestions of ways to shower them with love and attention from afar.
1. Baked goods
Most families traditionally celebrate a birthday with a cake or other sweet tradition. If you want to have something sent to your student, here are some options:
Insomnia Cookies is a popular spot located on Court Street. This is a chain so you may have already experienced Insomnia Cookies for yourself. The flavors are pretty standard, but they deliver hot cookies and milk to the residence halls.
Bakery 323 is a local home bakery run by an OHIO alumnus, Cameron Kasler, with great reviews from parents and students. Cam can make cupcakes (regular or mini), cakes, cookies, bars, and brownies. Cupcakes range in price from $20 to $30 per dozen depending on flavor, cookies are $15 per dozen, and brownies $13 to $18 for a 8×8 pan and $20 to $27 for a 9×13 pan depending on flavor. Cam delivers to residence halls and provides a hand written message from the sender as well as a t-shirt to the recipient. Cam requests orders at least two days ahead of delivery and more lead time is appreciated, especially for special flavors.
Fluff Bakery is located on Court Street and offers a variety of baked goods including gluten free and vegan cakes. There is no delivery, but they’ll work with you to have your Bobcat pick it up or even you if you are coming to town to celebrate.
Ohio University Culinary Birthday Club will make a 9 inch two-layer birthday cake in chocolate or vanilla with chocolate or vanilla frosting or a 9 inch chocolate chip cookie with chocolate or vanilla frosting for your student. They will send a notice to the student’s email and the student will pick-up the item at the closest dining hall. Delivery is not an option. Cost is $22 and orders must be placed two weeks ahead.
2. Flowers/Balloons
Hyacinth Bean Florist is a local florist and makes beautiful arrangements. You can reach them via their website or by phone at 740-589-2326.
Jack Neal Floral is a local florist located on West Union Street (across from Starbucks and The Union Bar). They’ve been around for over 30 years and have a good reputation for providing quality florals. You can reach via their website linked above or by phone at 740-592-5823.
Kroger florals are very lovely as well. The florists at Kroger have many years of experience and they are a reliable resource for floral deliveries as well. 740-592-1598.
3. Gift Cards
Perhaps you’d like to stock your student up with a few gift cards. Here are some popular places with students. Please note these are places where you can purchase gift cards online, but if you are in Athens for a visit most places sell gift cards:
- Chipotle
- Bagel Street Deli
- Brenen’s
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Casa Nueva
- Courtside Pizza
- North End Kitchen and Bar
- Donkey Coffee
- Whit’s
4. Mail and Package Delivery
If you want to send a greeting card or package, remember that campus mail can be unpredictable. Just because the last thing you mailed arrived within a few days, don’t always expect that. For a birthday, or other special occasions, get items in the mail early. Also, be careful mailing anything of great value.
There are two UPS Access Points in uptown Athens to send your deliveries to if you want to avoid shipping directly to a residence hall or off-campus location. You can choose to send your package to CVS at 32 S. Court Street or the College Bookstore at 50 S. Court Street. Check out the UPS website for more information and complete details.
Remember that if your student doesn’t love attention, maybe skip the balloon delivery.
Coming to Athens to celebrate in person? Read our posts Athens Loves Beer and Athens Fine Dining.
Is your student turning 21? Check out Let’s Shuffle: A Complete Guide to Uptown Athens Bars and Late Night Eats.
