Office Birthdays can be celebrated quietly with a birthday cake, candles and, of course, the chorus of “Happy Birthday” to blow out your candles and make your special wishes. But if you really want to have a fun office birthday party, let’s take a twist and have an office roast, which would certainly bring lots of laughs to the event.
We must first make sure that the birthday guest has a sense of humor. Invite as many attendees as your can, the more the merrier. We can then move on with choosing our panel, combining a mix of co-workers and supervisors. Take a head-shot of each panelist and attach it to the table in front of them. We ask those on the panel to think of any unusual things they remember about our birthday star. The panel should also pick topics that include the honoree’s interests and hobbies along with any funny situations you remember or can make up. Let’s try and make sure that no comments are hurtful, and all are in good fun. We are ready now, let the fun begin!
Bring in the guest of honor and see the look on their face when they realize what is ahead of them. One by one the panelists have their day telling jokes and roasting the honoree. When the laughs have subsided and the birthday guest of honor has said their piece (got even), bring in that candle lit cake and celebrate!
Something new in the blogs – a video. I’m sure it’s funny on TV but a roast at work, even if it’s not mean-spirited, wouldn’t be possible in most offices. It would take out too much time from the working hours.
Sounds like you have a fun office. How lucky you are!
Ouch! Whiplash coming up! I think a better way to celebrate an office birthday would involve a tamer activity than what you’re showing. What if you collect $1 from each willing co-worker and let the birthday guy or gal pick a charity & donate the money?
It is nice to recognize birthdays in the office – boosts morale. I think if you just have some snacks and a card that is enough, anything else is a bonus!
Each department in our office celebrates birthdays by bringing in goodies. Sometimes they even bring in a specialty item they make at home. After we sing happy birthday we get to snack all day long.
We celebrate birthdays once a month and have a potluck lunch. Everyone brings something and we all enjoy an hour away from our desks to celebrate the birthday guys and gals.
That looks like a fun party! But a roast sounds like too much time and trouble, then if you can’t do one for each worker there’s bound to be hard feelings. What about a big bunch of balloons added to the cake?
Although I am not one who likes to be the center of attention, even on my birthday, I do look forward to coming to work on my birthday and seeing my cube decorated. I think it would feel horrible to not be acknowledged by your co-workers for your birthday.
That being said, I am not so sure a Roast would be the way to go in the workplace, although it certainly would bring some laughs. It seems to me, however, that it would be very easy for someone to “cross the line” while roasting the individual. Many things said in sarcasm actually hold some truth, and feelings could get hurt. Unfortunately we live in a “politically correct” world and if a Roast took a wrong turn, it could become an unwanted HR issue. Just saying…
I’m not a fan of the “roast”. It might take a turn for the nasty. What I would suggest – decorate the cubicle or the desk by hanging all the birthday cards clothesline style. No hurt feelings using the cards instead of jokes.
In high school we’d decorate our friend’s lockers with fun wrapping paper, ribbons and balloons. In college, we’d do the same to their dorm room doors, and if we wanted to play a prank on them, we’d seal them in! Wouldn’t it be fun to deck out your coworkers’ cubicles or office doors for their birthdays? I think I’ll suggest this in my office!
I was afraid to voice a negative vibe but I see I’m not alone. A roast could get nasty, even if you think it sounds like fun. Maybe it’s a guy thing, like practical jokes. I wouldn’t want one at my birthday, just cake & cards, please.
I’m all in for having a big Birthday office celebration but only on the special milestone ones like, 40, 50 etc.
That’s a funny video! Can we have more videos & cartoons? But seriously, I think a quiet celebration is better than a roast. Most people don’t want to advertise that they’re a year older. I just like some cake & cards and I’m okay with that.
Very cute video. There are only 6 of us at my real estate office but we have a birthday hour around 3pm once a month. We share cake or cupcakes and if someone actually has a birthday that month, she gets cards from all of us. Our rule of NO cake in the office except during birthday hour is helping us to watch our waistlines.