Do you take your birthday off work?

[itsallbowlsbaby]

It's my birthday this Friday. Not feeling great as still recovering from major surgery last month but I have some holiday to take still and thought it would be nice to take it off (I haven't been able to for years due to using all annual leave on kids school holidays) Is it self indulgent to take the day off for your birthday? And if not, what would I do? (No spa day suggestions!!)

Mine too. Birthday twin. Yes we are going Christmas shopping, for lunch at the Ivy and to the toy museum, in Brighton

I usually do, but mainly because it's close to a bank holiday so I get a longer weekend. I don't always do much, just relax at home, go shopping or occasionally go away for the weekend. I don't see it as self indulgent, just a nice day to take.

Yes, I always do.

Yes I usually take my birthday off work. I wouldn't mind working if I could guarantee an easy day but I wouldn't want a stressful day in my birthday.

My birthday is next month. I'll probably just take it easy - maybe go to a local garden centre and browse the gifts/decorations, have a nice lunch (either out or at home), have a bath with a book. It's not very exciting! I'm sure others will have more interesting ideas!

Is it self indulgent to take the day off for your birthday?

Nothing wrong with self-indulgence

My company gives us our birthday off which is great, DH always books his off

No never, I can’t now I’m a teacher, but even when I did other jobs no, it wouldn’t occur to me.
Just like I wouldn’t let my kids stay home on their birthday.

Mine is in the Christmas Holidays so I'm off anyway, but I absolutely would! DH always does and most of my friends. Do it!

What kind of thing do you enjoy doing? Do you want to just chill at home, have a nice meal and a bit of wine? Or would you be up for a nice little day out pottering? Could you afford a cheap and cheerful weekend away maybe?

I think if it was my birthday at this time of year, I'd go for a short break somewhere interesting and bookish. Have a little wander around and a lovely meal out, mooch around anything historical.

I try to always take mine off. I don't nessarily do anything but better than being at work!

I always do. I did work it once or twice and decided it was rubbish. DH often takes it off too (and likewise me his) so we can do something nice. We often go for a lovely lunch or something as DC at school.

if I was off by myself I might go get my hair and/or nails done and indulge in a bit of shopping. What do you enjoy doing by yourself?

I don't plan it but if I have a days leave left then I will use it for my birthday.
There's nothing wrong with not wanting to work on your birthday!

No.
Its just another (shit) day.

No, it's never occurred to me TBH, mine is fairly soon after Christmas / NY so its usually cold, dark, already just had time off etc. But why not it you fancy it. I'd fancy it more if mine was in November I think.

Yes, always!

I always take my birthday off and as it falls at the end of the leave year I often take the whole week off! Nothing worse than working on your birthday and having something extremely stressful (or depressing) kick off at work

Yes since being in my current role I take the day off.
In my previous role I couldn’t have the day off and it never fell in school holidays when I was a child.
Maybe that’s why I enjoy taking the day off now.

I usually do, and normally have a lovely day alone as DDs are at school and DH is at work. In previous years I've:

Gone and had coffee and cake in a café and read my book.

Gone to the cinema during the day.

Had a facial, or my nails done.

Gone for a long walk and a pub lunch on my own. I love taking my book somewhere and just chilling out.

No

I always have ever since my first year at work when I was late for my own birthday meal due to being stuck at work. Sometimes I meet up with friends, sometimes I just chill out at home.

I am 52 and I don’t think I’ve ever worked on my birthday in my life.

I worked one particularly brutal on-call on my birthday about 20 years ago and have taken leave every year since. I take a whole week for significant birthdays

I never used to but a couple of years ago our work announced they would give us a free day off for our birthdays. It feels like a lovely treat and now I'm a total convert

Usually.

I love to celebrate me!

I always book my birthday off, my husband and I usually book each other's birthdays off too so we can do something nice together. Both kids (now grown up) have school holiday birthdays, so we would book their birthdays off and still do if they are around!

Usually I do but sometimes I don't. This year I took the day before my birthday off to go to an event so worked on my birthday.