Birthdays! Do you treat your birthday just like any other day or you celebrate it (or expect to) with your loved ones/do something from your wishlist?

[Genie23]

I used to be pretty excited about birthday until the age of 11. Since then it just became another day for me. So, whenever my loved ones did something for me, I didn't get any more excited or happy as they were.

[Ozanne]

As a kid and teen, birthdays were fun of course. But when I got into my 20s, people seemed to treat [my] birthday to be an excuse to have bad ideas. For example, the idiotic "sex gift" from boyfriends, or the pressure to drink until I blacked out from the many friends who just kept buying me drinks.

Looking back, how disingenuous. A drink as a gift. A sex act as a gift. I'd rather no gift at all! A drink is not memorable nor personal. Having sex is something two people do regardless of the date on the calendar, and to make a "special" act only possible on one day is cheap.

In my late 20s I just made a declaration that I was going to have peaceful birthdays from then on. I had a bit of pushback from friends who demanded I can't spend my birthday at home, telling me how to spend my birthday and with whom, and doing what. But that was enough. I decided to grow up. So after my late 20s and all through my 30s/40s I've been enjoying serene birthdays. :)

[Anemone978]

My birthday was always a disappointment because it was in December so none of my friends wanted to come (because they couldn't buy me a gift) even when I said I don't need a gift most people wouldn't come.. So usually only 2-5 would show up..
Now my husband always buys me a cake and something I like which is nice :)

[Genie23]

That's really sad. I'm so sorry. They weren't your friends then. If I was your friend, I'd have made at least something for you like something handmade that you could use, like a frame, or at least make a dessert or something even if I was broke.

I am really happy to hear that at least you have a great husband now who gives you sweet memories on your birthdays. 😇

[the_sinner]

I’ve had different birthday phases:
Until 10th standard I used to have proper cake cutting with a very tiny group of friends. I used to treat my birthday like a festival during those days lol.
During high school I didn’t have any parties and I just visited the temple with my family post which we went out for a family dinner.
During college I cut the cake at midnight but the hostel boys used to beat the shit out of me in the name of “birthday bombs” and we used to smear cake on each other’s faces. Stupid us.
Then I graduated in 2020 when Covid happened and since then I’ve celebrated my birthday at home as I’m WFH. No more cake cuts but I get gifts from my family.


I have my birthday next month and I’m pretty sure it’ll be the same this time too unless I suddenly try to get creative and plan something fun.

[Genie23]

That like a festival part cracked me up! 🤣

Wow! You did have very different phases indeed! Well, at least it was nice in their own way!

It's my birthday today and I chose to relax more than I did the rest of the year, lol. I think you should try something creative of fun. Something you always wanted to try, you know? You're young. Have fun!

[the_sinner]

I’ll think of something good.

Happy birthday to you! 🎂
The day’s not over yet so even you have time for planning some fun too 😉

[Genie23]

Thank you!! I couldn't but hey, maybe next year!

[Constatine]

Every birth day we do things when never ever dreamed of doing.

Last year we did a hot air balloon ride thingy.

Year before that i got a crash course on a racing circuit.. ( well actually learning to prevent crashing...🤣😂 )

This year my lady and i will go to a " how to handle your 4x4 ln extreme rough terrain.

My lady wants this year a romanic dinner as a true lady.. so i and up with horses, a long dress old classic romantic style ,

dinner and a walk on the beach at night..

So yes... every year some crazy fun things😂🤣

[Genie23]

🤣🤣🤣

[Constatine]

If you can celebrate your birthday like that... who needs presents. 😃😁

[AviatorTom]

My birthday is pretty much a normal day. Only special thing my SO and I do is go out to dinner sometime during my birthday week... using my birthday coupon.

I once worked for a company where your birthday was one of your paid holidays... that was nice.

[Genie23]

I never heard of birthday coupon before. 😅

Wow! I would like to work for that company, so I could at least sleep as much as I want on my birthday without taking a day off, lol

[AviatorTom]

At many restaurants, if you sign up for their program... they send you ads... they will often send you a coupon for something special on your birthday. Could be a free dessert, reduced price entree, or some give you a free meal when you pay in full for the other (s).

[Genie23]

Ah! Okay, we don't have that here. They take our contact number and send us promotional messages instead but never a birthday coupon.

[TheUniqueOne96]

I just make a cheesecake and buy a veggie sizzler from Pizza Hut, that's all really.

The presents phase died out ages ago, like it were nice getting presents as a kid and all, but I already pretty much buy things I need anyway, so I don't see much point.

If there's something I want and it's not too expensive, I may ask someone to buy it, but in general, I'm reluctant to ask, as I don't generally like asking for things.

[Genie23]

Cheesecake 🤤🤤🤤

Ah! I know what you mean.

[Dinklex3]

Nooo. I always make sure to celebrate. No one could ever shut me up about my birthday.
I grew up with birthdays being a big deal. They still are to me even at 30.

[Billlewis]

@Dinklex3 Yes, ma'am, I just started following you and I'd be honored if you would follow me as well, if it's alright.

[Dinklex3]

@Billlewis Hello. I do not accept any follows from anyone on this site, nor do I follow others. Nothing personal ✌️

[Billlewis]

Yes, ma'am.

[Genie23]

I love this. Hope this excitement and happiness towards your birthday never fade away!

[DryGermanGuy]

Have not celebrated for the last ~20 years. As you described it, a day like any other. When I am throwing a get together with friends, it’s unrelated to my birthday.

[Genie23]

It seems silly and awkward, doesn't it? The thought of blowing a candle on a cake amd people singing Happy birthday for you after a certain age?

I started getting really awkward in my 20s, lol.

[DryGermanGuy]

Talking about awkward, have you seen Office Space? It has a great scene of an absolutely cringey birthday singing for the generally hated department boss! 😂

[Genie23]

That sounds hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣

No, I haven't seen it yet but after reading this I'm curious and I'm going to check it out on YouTube. 😆

[TrueConfection]

My kids want to spend the day with me on my birthday and that's the part I love. Otherwise, I'd be happy to pretend my birthday didn't even happen.

[Genie23]

I think that's really very sweet that you have some people in your life who are happy and excited on your behalf 🙃

[TrueConfection]

Thank you! I feel very fortunate 💕

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

On every birthday of mine I do something I was scared of doing before. That’s my tradition as a way to oppose my fears and celebrate the “New me”.

[Genie23]

That's really admirable! 😇

[Justasian]

My parents tell me to thank them not me so every birthday for me is just another day of the year, Yay and thats it. Not much people notice or even seems to care for me, but when it comes to my friends birthday or someone else then i put on a happy face to celebrate their birthdays

[Genie23]

I thought they were joking when you said that but when you say not much people notice, it made me sad, I've went through some really tough times too where I felt I care about people and their special days more than they carr about mine. But as you grow older and keep meeting new people, you'll meet at least few people who would at least wish you on your birthday. It's sweet you try to make your friends birthday even more better.

[alice55]

I love it and I celebrate it, I'm actually the only being excited for birthday and any others special days cause my family don't care about those stuff.

[Genie23]

I wish I had your spirit 😭

[AlexEfron]

It's so monotonous for me, I have forgotten my birthday many times. It's nice that family members remember and wish. Though my last year's birthday celebration was fun and memorable. I don't celebrate my birthday, but it was the last day of my college life and I shared my birthday with my best friend (you already know who 😂), so I did want to celebrate it, in college, with everyone. And I did. Probably the best birthday celebrations I've ever had

[jamesgoldman]

I celebrate but then it's Christmas Eve so I don't work and can drink as much as I want, eat what I want and all that

[Genie23]

You were born on Christmas Eve!! Lucky you! At least you get to see happy people around you on every birthday.

[jamesgoldman]

Yeah it's good because you can push for combined presents, busy so most people can't do much

[Anonymous]

I feel special when my family celebrates my birthday 🎂 My mom makes me a cake. She does that for my brother and sister too.

[Genie23]

Awwww!! That's so sweet!

[LiamJHayden]

My birthday is so awesome that even people who don't know me celebrate it with fireworks. lol

[Genie23]

You're a New Year baby!! Lucky you!! Lol

[OfMiceandMen]

It tends to be just one of those days. The only time it wasn't just a regular day was when I was on holiday.

[Jennz6]

Now that I am older I don’t celebrate 🎉 anymore

[Genie23]

That makes two of us 🙌

[BoopBoopBeep]

I don't think I've celebrated 4 of the past 5

[Sparkie460]

I prefer not to celebrate it. It's not a big deal to me

[jammcm]

After 77 of them, the are just like any other day. When I reach 100 I will have a big party.

[bolverk]

At my age its just another day like any other.

[mandyfire98]

I celebrate it normally with loved ones

[Genie23]

Honestly, that's the best kind of celebration. To have your loved ones around you even if you're just having a lunch together

[FellowTraveler]

Any other day. At times wish I didn't have one.

[Genie23]

I'm sorry to hear that 🙁