How do I tell people I don't want anything for my birthday?

[Anonymous]

Maybe I'm a complete cynic or a hypocrite, but I really don't want to celebrate my birthday this year, at all. I love birthdays and I love giving presents to people and having a good time with them to celebrate, however I don't want anything for my birthday and I haven't made any plans and don't intend to.
I'll be 15 and everyone keeps asking what would I like and my mum and my sister want to make plans for me, but I just don't want to!
How can I tell people this without upsetting them?

[Ozanne]

Tell them that *that* is your birthday wish: to have a normal, pleasant day without the fuss. They should respect this wish just as it would be any other wish someone would have on their own birthday. People just selfishly think that they know what you want and will do it anyway, and if they go ahead and do this, they aren't respecting your wishes.

One year all I wanted to do was order in pizza and watch my favourite TV show and my parents couldn't understand that at all. When they went through with it and saw how happy the day made me without the fuss, they learned that whenever I told them I wanted simple birthdays, they got it.

[Asker]

I'm glad it's not just me!

[emerald77]

Just tell them that you really would be more comfortable not celebrating it.

[Klaatu51]

just tell "i don;t need anything... u don't have 2 buy me anything"

:-)

[Asker]

I know it sounds like the sensible thing but they'll really upset if I say that... I don't know why!

[Klaatu51]

y upset... it's good/... they'll spend less money after all o_O

[Asker]

Haha that's what I thought!

[Lucyjackson7567]

Just say it.