Why are 'normal' birthday's becoming such a big thing?

[MacduffsMuff]

So it seems anyway. It used to be that 18th, 21st then the 'big' birthdays (30/40/50 etc etc) were celebrated with parties/celebrations and 'normal' birthdays were a bit more low key like a meal out with friends.

Now it seems that birthdays, any birthday, is huge news. Massive blow up numbers, balloons, big fancy cakes etc - twice in the past week I've seen a 23rd and a 27th birthday in this way - including the humungous cake. Is this a thing now?

And no, it doesn't bother me, no it doesn't affect me and no I'm not complaining, it's just an observation. We used to go to the local chinese restaurant for birthdays.

Instagram, social media, the kadashians ....the ott-ness of every celebration is getting worse.

Less actual fun stuff to do (because covid) so the small stuff that can be done is amplified?

Yes I think it's covid too, we need to grab some joy out of whatever we can now!!!

Because huge balloons and huge fancy cakes etc used to be super expensive.

Now you can both of those things in Asda, ok so the cakes may not be super fancy but they do pretty good celebration cakes and even the most ham fisted person can manage to put a few extra macarons on top.

So now it doesn’t need to need to be a big milestone birthday treat, you could have all of that for a Sunday lunch if you wanted to.

I think it's social media :/

Because thanks to the influence of America, we need fucking seal claps for everything.

I saw someone had a massive half birthday party for their child on social media which at first I thought was a bit much and then I realised was just a boredom / lockdown thing in the same way I had lots of random “themed” days with my kids. I’d judge if they did it normally but anything went during lockdown.

But I do tend to agree. People on MN do seem to expect a lot for birthdays too.

Probably because we have very little nowadays to make days different from each other. Before there were various religious holidays peppered throughout the year lasting several days and now apart from Christmas and Easter there is nothing so most of the year is the same. It's nice to celebrate something to break up the year a bit.

I think it’s weird the way people say “congratulations on your 60th” or 50th or whatever. Why “congratulations” I’ve not done anything other than keep breathing, do they think I’m that decrepit I should be dead? 😂

This year I think people have made a special effort because of COVID. Especially in the early days of lockdown when things were so bleak. Other than that I haven't noticed any extra effort for birthdays other than people acknowledging it.
My sister always has a week long birthday as she enjoys the attention.

I remember being bemused 15 years ago when uni oaks spoke of 'my birthday weekend' thinking 'eh, you only get a day love' but now I hear women my age plus talking about 'my birthday week'. WTF? It's screams of self importance.

@GoshHashana

Because thanks to the influence of America, we need fucking seal claps for everything.

Stop blaming Americans for everything you don’t like, FFS. 🙄

My dad didnt think I should celebrate my 40th. 🙄

@redbigbananafeet

I remember being bemused 15 years ago when uni oaks spoke of 'my birthday weekend' thinking 'eh, you only get a day love' but now I hear women my age plus talking about 'my birthday week'. WTF? It's screams of self importance.

Oh yes, people having multiple events and holidays and parties and lunches.

I find it a bit cringey.

I love a party so almost any reason is a good one

Is this a thing now?

I'm early 30s and this is not a thing I've noticed among any of my family or friends.

So it may be "a thing" for some people, but it's not for anyone I know.

I so think there's a link with social media, particularly Instagram. I haven't seen any 53 year olds (my age) surrounded by balloons and a 4 tier cake. Covid may have had an impact but I noticed this long before.

*do