A picture on Instagram or a Facebook wall post is all fine and dandy, but there are so many more special ways to make your friend feel special on his or her birthday.

Have a friend with a birthday coming up? Lovely. Ditch the PicStitch of screen-shotted Snapchats and try one of these suggestions. Any of them will mean infinitely more to your friend than an online shout out. 

1. Buy a card. Venture to your local Hallmark store -- or CVS, if you are feeling less adventurous -- and commit a chunk of time to reading every cheesy or sappy card in order to find the perfect one.

2. Write a letter. Make sure to use your best handwriting and send the letter a few days in advance in order to ensure arrival near actual birth date.

3. Call. Sing them happy birthday over the phone. Or just say happy birthday if you’re not the musical type.  They didn’t answer? Let them off the hook because it is their birthday. Leave a heartfelt voicemail. A rendition of the happy birthday song is still encouraged. Make sure to remind them to call you back for a live version.

4. Send a happy birthday text message. Be sure to use birthday emojis such as the present, the cake, and the streamers. Tell them how much you love them. Include a happy selfie if you feel so inclined.

5. Bake a cake. If you feel like you might burn down your kitchen in the process, make a detour to your local bakery and purchase a cake instead. Don’t forget the candles. If a whole cake seems like too large of a commitment, search out a single slice of cake for purchase. A cupcake can also accomplish the same task as a single slice of cake. 

6. Don’t forget the ice cream. Double check that the cake and ice cream flavors are complimentary.

7. Pie is a great choice. If they do not like cake, they are bound to like pie. Pie is also a satisfactory surface for birthday candles. 

8. Go out to eat at their favorite restaurant. They know the one. You know the one. Go there. Pay for the dinner like the generous friend that you are.

9. Cook a favorite meal. Better yet, cook them their favorite meal in the comfort of your own home. Don’t forget about dessert.

10. Make a super rad mix CD. Include music that you think they would like, not just that you like. That part is very important.

11. Buy flowers. Buy a lovely bouquet or, if you’re feeling adventurous and in touch with nature, venture into the forest or to your nearest field of wildflowers.

12. Make a homemade edible arrangement. Cut pineapple into the shapes of flower. Use raspberries as the flowers’ centers. Add chocolate. The possibilities are endless.

13. Ditch the PicStitch app and create a real life picture collage. It is tangible and can be used as home decor. Amazing. 

14. Do that thing with them that they love, but you do not. You know that thing. They love it. You would be perfectly fine with never doing it in your life. Do it with them. C'mon, it’s their birthday.

15. Serenade. Ride to their house on a lawnmower. Bring a boom box. Stand on the lawnmower outside their window. Play music loudly until they notice and come outside. This is starting to sound strangely like an 80s movie. 

16. Throw a surprise party. People love surprises. People love parties. There is no downside.