Do you remember your childhood birthdays?

[Brunts12]

Do you remember your birthdays when you were a child? If so, were they good memories or not so much? I’ve never really thought about it until I had my own children, and it made me realise how utterly shite my birthdays were. Some years, especially from around age 12, I didn’t get a present or any acknowledgment at all, just your normal typical day. For context, I am an ‘80s child and my parents weren't poor at all, dad was a senior engineer and mum was a uni lecturer. I just think my mum wasn't a particularly emotionally available parent, while my dad simply couldn’t care less. Weirdly, it's only now, thinking about it, that it makes me quite sad.

We always had birthday celebrations and lots of fuss. My parents didn't have a lot but they created nice occasions and good memories.

Birthdays are a big deal in our house and my dc have always have parties and a big fuss.

Thats really sad, OP. My birthday memories are all a blur - more feelings than solid memories: excitement for presents, my mum making me whatever cake I'd asked for (she was very good at cake decorating), always a family party at home with my grandparents, aunts and cousins with proper 80s/90s style food and the excitement of seeing everyone and getting more presents.

I think negative memories often stand out in clarity than positive ones.

I remember the parties - despite being pretty skint DPs did make an effort, and DF was brilliant at organising games. I only remember a few presents - Five Go To Smugglers’ Top (I was a huge FF fan) from a party guest, and a goldfish bowl with 2 goldfish from cousins.

Always £2 from a GM - this was aeons ago.
I soon used birthday money to buy my goldfish a better aquarium home.

I remember at 6 remarking that I was now ‘halfway round the clock’ which DPs found very amusing!

Actually, I do remember my 14th very clearly! My mum took me to London for a shopping trip. It was the first time I'd gone to London shopping and not for a museum or event. I felt so grown up! My first time in the Top Shop on Oxford St (instead of our way inferior local one) and buying shoes in Shelley's in Covent Garden. I have a vivid memory of that staircase and feeling very worldly 😂I remember in whenever I go down that little side street, although it's long gone now.

Not really no but my family didn’t make much effort - they’d be presents (which is good enough I guess) but things like fun balloons and decorations / parties / a day out etc we never did and I think those are what makes the best memories

I definitely make a bigger deal of my kids birthdays than my parents did.
I would get a small gift and usually a small party. I properly spoil mine as I enjoy it, can afford it and they deserve it. I'm definitely more emotionally available than my parents were too. My dad has acknowledged it to me.

Sorry your birthdays were a bit shit op

I never had birthday parties when I was growing up. I think maybe a friend came to tea. I remember my 7th birthday as I was given a three layer wooden pencil box and was absolutely over the moon. My parents never made a fuss about their birthdays or about ours. There was very little spare money. I felt loved and cared for and don’t resent them for it. They did their best and made sure we all got a good education so we could get on in life. There’s far too much pettiness involved in looking back.

No. Except my 18th. My parents had completely forgotten, and when I asked if anything was happening that day, my dm looked at me blankly and asked why.
I finally (v unusual for me) had a go at her. Told her my friends had presents and parties and special shopping trips, and she couldn't be bothered to even get me a card, she so clearly didn't give a stuff. I really went for her, but I was upset. I left home about 10 weeks later and barely spoke to her until after I had graduated.
My ds has had fabulous parties ever since he was 5. Soft play, pool parties, Go Ape, air rifle lessons. Home made cakes. I'm busy planning his 18th for this summer . It's loads of fun. I don't understand my dm's joylessness. It doesn't cost the earth to mark a special day.

My Dmum & Ddad always made our birthdays special.
The one thing that sticks out in my mind is our birthday treat meal from the local Chinese takeaway.

Back then, something from the chippy was the norm so having a Chinese meal was exotic and a real treat.
I seem to recall we always had the S&S chicken or S&S pork, rice and chips (which always tasted different to those from the chippy).

I remember bits and pieces.
We were allowed to choose what cake mum would make. I nearly always chose a Blue Band recipe chocolate sponge!
candles were simple
Sometimes a party at home.Only rarely anything different, once we went to a local Lido. I had to buy my party shoes and presents from my pocket money.

We always got presents, always a birthday cake, and always some kind of celebration.

When were primary school age we had parties - when little, maybe a dozen friends for a birthday tea and games etc, and when a bit older it might have been something like a ‘film night’ with a rented new release on video or a sort of mini home disco. Parents NEVER stayed in those days, kids were dropped off and collected, even when they were tiny.

When I got to secondary school age I never wanted parties or big celebrations of any kind so it would be a ‘birthday treat’ with three or four mates, something like the cinema and Pizza Hut, and once a West End theatre trip with just my best friend.