To think it’s tedious when adults are precious about their birthday (not big birthdays)

[GotMooMilk]

We have been invited out for a friends birthday (33 or 34- not a ‘big one’) and one friend has asked if her sister visiting from Australia can come out. The response was along the lines of ‘she can if you want if she will be alone otherwise but I’d rather I knew everyone there properly as it’s my birthday’.

Maybe I’m being unfair but when adults are precious about ‘their birthday’ and wanting spoiling from anyone beyond their partner/parents I just find it so tedious. My own birthday I’ll go for dinner with DH or lunch with the family but wouldn’t be offended if something came up on the exact day and we had to celebrate at a later date it’s no big deal. I had a friend who was was really annoyed at me (told me this!) for not ‘making an effort’ and coming out for her birthday despite booking a table for 7 midweek when I don’t finish work til 8 on that day. Aargh!

I have a pal who has always been precious about birthdays and always wants all eyes on her etc. She’s done it for so long that when he 50th arrived hardly anyone turned up as they were so sick of her birthday behaviour and every year had been treated as if it was a big birthday.

i personally hate birthdays - happy for them to go by unannounced

. I can afford to throw myself a small party but for some reason, I just feel really awkward about it, I don't know how to do the "birthday girl, centre of attention" thing and hate the idea of people feeling they have to get me something or give me special treatment
Give it a try, maybe start with something at home so it doesn’t matter if many people don’t go. I only got into my birthdays at 40 and honestly it’s been such a positive addition in my life. Each year I plan something nice to do, I don’t wait for others to plan it for me. I’ve enjoyed the last 14 birthdays so much, even my lockdown birthday when I went for a solo walk in the snow and took some pretty photos of frost on leaves and then had a takeaway with my family.
Next month I’m off to Mexico for my birthday and have already emailed the hotel so I may get a cake or bottle of wine delivered to the room. I’ve also booked an excursion for the actual day.
I don’t think it’s a case of being self centred but us women can end up doing so much for others we forget that we are worth it and important.

I think a chance to celebrate anything is a good thing. Birthdays, promotions, anniversaries - you want to go all out? I'm with you! I don't find it tedious at all. Not sure why it was an issue with the sister going.

What do you hate about birthdays @StinkyWizzleteets?

Well, it's not something that my brother and sister are able to do anymore, so I think it's actually rather a good thing to happen to people.

I have a friend like this. She's lovely in so many ways but omg she doesn't half go on about her birthday. She's talking about it and making plans for it 2 months before the event. She never misses an opportunity in the week leading up to it that it is her birthday on Thursday next week. Even people she barely knows! As someone who pays not much attention to my own birthdays,I find it a bit cringe making.

I loved celebrating the kids but have always been quiet about my own. I had quite a big birthday yesterday and just wanted a relaxing day.