Hey everyone, I’m an expat living in Munich, and I just realized my best friend’s birthday is next week… but I’m stuck abroad. Normally I’d throw them a small party or grab a gift in person, but this time I have no clue. I feel a bit guilty about not being there. How do you guys usually handle birthdays when you can’t show up in person? Any tips for making it feel personal even from afar?

I’ve noticed that a lot of people end up planning little virtual hangouts these days, not just for birthdays but for casual meetups too. Even something as simple as sharing photos or a funny video in a group chat can make someone’s day feel a bit brighter. And sometimes, just checking in regularly without a specific occasion builds those small connections that really matter. It’s the little gestures that count the most.

Last year I couldn’t make it to my sister’s birthday, and I was stressing over what to do. What helped a lot was sending her flowers through a service I found online. I used https://www.le-langage-des-fleurs.store/en/collections/flower-delivery-munich and picked a bouquet that felt really “her.” She loved it, and it felt like I was there in a small way. Sometimes adding a handwritten note makes it even more special.