<p>I am sad because we won't even see our S on his birthday this year. It is two days after move in day and during his orientation week. His school doesn't start until late September.</p>
<p>Should I just do nothing more than maybe give him a call that day, or would you try to do anything (have something delivered, let an RA know, etc)? I know he's an adult, he'll be busy with scheduled activities and he probably wouldn't care, but it is just weird for me!!</p>
<p>A friend has a daughter whose birthday is early in the school year. She arranged for the school mascot to wake her up on her birthday. I don't know how a guy would take that! Why not sent a birthday box with goodies in it to be opened on his birthday?</p>
<p>Yet another sign of the changing relationship as sons become adults. Do send something, he will care even if he won't admit it. Being a mother I would let the RA know, even though I suspect they keep tabs on such things. Colleges often have birthday cakes available, you may want to check with the food service since the event is so close to the start of things. Also- call him and send a funny email birthday card, many sources to download free ones. I'm thinking ahead to my son's fall birthday, since he's no longer in the dorms this year I can't rely on the security of a front desk although there is security between the front door and mailboxes, but very visible to the busy street... Being a bunch of guys I can't imagine any of them baking a cake, much less the place being clean enough to do so... He also won't be making the trip home to see HS sports anymore- having the sectional in his sport around his birthday was good that first year away. </p>
<p>As mothers birthdays are as much about us as our child- treat yourself to something special on that day, too. Ages and stages...</p>
<p>Send something. :)</p>
<p>My 18th birthday is a week from today, and it's hard for me that I'm not going to be home. My mom told me that she's shipping my gift today. I have NO IDEA what it is...it's driving me CRAZY!!</p>
<p>Anyway. I know boys are different, but I'd really love it if my parents did something for my birthday even though I wasn't home.</p>
<p>Thanks for the ideas, Ds bday is this week, a day after classes begin, so too soon to have friends do anything. I have put in a call to the campus, otherwise I may order flowers delivered- too late to mail anything from home</p>
<p>Put your energy into a box of surprises - homemade treats, great t-shirt, favorite candy or nuts, "action" toys that windup, parachute or shoot water - it's almost like he's 10 again! You don't want to send anything expensive unless it is exactly what he wants (the odds of it being returned for store credit are zero.) If he doesn't have a good set of headphones, they would be the exception to the above rule.</p>
<p>You could also call a local business and arrange a delivery or gift certificate for a meal. If your son is at Northwestern, which I am guessing from the start date, let me know and I can give you some ideas.</p>
<p>Definitely send something or have it delivered!!! Last year I contacted D1's friend and had her arrange some friends to go out to eat with D1. I transferred $$to her account and they all celebrated at Applebee's. They loved it! I usually send a care package for bdays and also midterms and final week.</p>
<p>bbkitty - The RA is not likely to know it is his birthday unless you let him know.</p>
<p>somemom- I think flowers delivered is a great idea.</p>
<p>Or for any kid, delivered cookies and candies are a great idea. Something to share with friends. Squirt guns and water balloons are popular in dorms. If you send a squirt gun, send two - for battles!</p>
<p>Send a bunch of goodies. Have a happy birthday and make a few more friends.</p>
<p>I had my birthday orientation week many moons ago. My local aunt and uncle had a cake delivered to me. (My parents were in Africa at the time or I am sure they would have done the same.)</p>
<p>send him things to share, it will help him make friends in his dorm.cookies, candy,brownies,silly middle school boy toys...nerf guns,water guns, those parachute army guys,they'll find interesting ways to use them.If theres fast food /ice cream places nearby,send him gift cards to use there,or a chain movie theater...he can take kids out.Last year when my S lived in a dorm with suite kitchens, I sent the makings of a cake..the pan, mix (Boston Cream) candles, balloons,noisemakers,etc along with his fave gift cards.
D's undergrad U had a service from the dining halls with cake delivery.
to the poster with a D with birthday..you may want to reconsider flowers..so fragile, and go with something she can share as well.</p>
<p>A 13x9 cake and a can of frosting will fit in a Priority Mail box from the post office, with some room left over for decorations/noisemakers/extra goodies/little presents.</p>
<p>You could use a service like Popcorn Factory, too; they offer birthday tins and towers of goodies.</p>
<p>Send him an e-birthday card. Overnight mail him a birthday care package full of his favorite snacks, a DVD, new shirt, iTunes gift card if he's into music or whatever you think he'll like.</p>
<p>I went up to Boston to see my daughter for her first birthday at college....
My mother and sister came up too, and we all went to dinner with her friend ( who was from our area too )
She was a little lonely because she had her hs boyfriend back at home and held back a little from socializing during her first semester.
Last year, as a sophomore she was with her friends instead, which was a relief actually.
This yr she turns 21 and is having a combined party with her roommate who turns 21 around the same time</p>
<p>I sent a cake (frosted carrot cake in a pan with a lid), paper plates, plastic forks, a cheap knife and a cheap spatula via FedX for my son's birthday which also occured right after he arrived. The college food service will also many times make a cake, but I wanted to send "home-made". I thought my son would "dis" the whole thing, but instead he, his suitemates and some of the new dorm friends shared and he called to thank me. I just texted him and told him there was a "package" slip in his mailbox and to "pick it up" right away. The cake was packed so it couldn't move an inch (as owlice has pointed out) and I put toothpicks in to keep the lid from smashing the icing and it actually arrived in good shape (according to my son).</p>
<p>See's Candy online- they deliver.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all of the ideas. I'll definitely send him a care package or treat of some sort.</p>
<p>Mrs. Fields has a big birthday cookie cake that can be personalized and sent to his school. My S and his dormmates enjoyed it.</p>
<p>In a few weeks, you all will start getting information about the various delivery services around the colleges where your kids go. Those are all great, but never underestimate the power of a care package. Even if you put silly stuff in it, kids go nuts over them. </p>
<p>Back in my res life days, I once had a resident who got a monthly package from her mother full of "personal care" products, candy/chocolate, and silly stuff (a yo-yo or some funky pens...you get the point). People would always want to know what was in the crazy care package that month. Everyone on the floor knew that mother when parents' weekend came around. She was famous!</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
The RA is not likely to know it is his birthday unless you let him know.
[/QUOTE]
They should know...a most schools, the residence hall staff should get a rooster with that sort of information.</p>
<p>Dean J...wow..UVA has roosters that smart???
J/K...I couldn't resist.</p>