To think birthdays with a nought aren't such a huge deal.

[Arabesque]

I'm having a birthday with a nought in it soon and am just planning a nice family meal that evening. However, some people are acting as if I'm refusing to celebrate Christmas or something.

To each their own and all that but AIBU in thinking we've gone a bit OTT about celebrating 'big' birthdays. Every week there seems to be a 40th or 50th birthday party going on or a tea party in work for someone who turned 30. When did birthdays with a zero become such a big deal? I don't remember my parents making a song and dance every time their age moved up a decade.

Were you around for your parents 20th, 30th and 40th birthdays? I was 16 when my dad turned 40, and he made a massive fuss.

People can celebrate their birthdays however they please. You're being a birthday grinch. And BU.

Dont complain. It was my birthday yesterday and I turned 23. I had planned a night in the pub then have a night of drinking tonight at a wedding.

Instead I was at the doctors yesterday with tonsillitis and spent it sleeping and taking 5 tablets every 4 hours.

I will take your birthday if you want

YANBU. Your birthday, your choice.

I would sooner eat my own shit than have a forced social gathering on my birthday. So go figure when I get an invite to someone else's.

Now Christmas on the other hand, I start planning in August. Am a ChristmasZilla.

I'm with you OP,

I don't celebrate any of my birthdays, whether they've got a zero at the end or not, just don't get it.

I celebrate Yule, not Christmas, and I keep that low key as well, I hate social gatherings generally.

I will be 40 this year. I'm not bothered. I don't understand why some adults want to make a big fuss of their birthday, but I understand that they do, if that makes sense.

So I just get up and get on with my day and don't bother about my birthday and those that want everyone to make a big fuss about them get that (hopefully) and we're all happy.

It's your birthday - you should celebrate it how you want!

FWIW I almost completely forgot to celebrate my 40th because I thought I was going to be 39. I somehow lost a year after having kids!

To quote a line from Dilbert re. the millennium 'I refuse to be pressured into having fun just because we use a base 10 counting system and a big round number is coming up'

YANBU

YANBU to think that they are not a huge deal for you.
YABVU to think that this means nobody else should celebrate theirs. Why seek to limit others' fun just because it's something you wouldn't do? How much is 'too much' celebration when it comes to trying to enjoy life as much as possible?

my next one is a half century
I plan to have a blast
will probably not have many family there at all - only my sister came to my 40th - suited me fine

depends on the zero. I am going to need a lot of cheering up when I hit 60.

Each to their own. If you want to celebrate, do, if you don't, don't.

I had a party for my 30th - it was great fun. For my 40th I'm going away for the weekend with my DH. Lots of friends have expressed surprise that I'm not having a party, but I don't want one. It's a lot of hassle and expense so everyone else can get drunk and, quite honestly, I'd rather spend the money on doing what I want. The last time we had a weekend away, just the two of us, was May 2010, so I think we're due another one!

Oh good lord, why not have a party? I have a birthday party every year and had a terrific one for my 50th back in June. People fill your house, drink fizzy wine, tell you how fabulous you're looking and shower you with delightful presents. You feel aglow with faux-youthful loveliness and the delight of seeing lots of people you love all gathered together. What's not to like?

YANBU. Nowadays 'big' birthdays seem to require 'big' presents plus attending weekends away, or meals in expensive hotels. My mum was saying 50 used to be a big deal because you'd reached 'half a century' but now everyone's celebrating 30th and 40th birthdays as if they're some kind of huge milestone in life.
Fine if they want to, but it has definitely accelerated in recent years.

Birthdays are a much bigger deal to me than Christmas. Jesus who?

I'd have a party every year if I knew enough people to make it worthwhile. I bloody love my birthdays.

I bloody love my birthday whether it has a nought on it or not!
Honestly I have more celebrations than the Queen!

DH and the kids make a big fuss over me and we go out. On on of the days nearest the weekend me and my mates go out.
Colleagues at work buy me a bit of something as well.

I love celebrating and joining in with other people birthday and making a fuss if they like it!

I don't understand the fuss either - DH is very "into" birthdays though and expects a fuss.

But then again, nor do I see the point of New Year. Do what you want, and let others do what they want.

I've never made a big fuss about -0 birthdays (and I've had quite a few!). As its on New Years Day, party folk are a bit partied out. At least I never have to work on it!

I hate celebrating my own birthday so im with you there. I was pregnant on my 30th and people kept telling me ill have to celebrate it next year! WHY?????? I wouldn't have made a fuss if I want pregnant, in just not that bothered about any of my birthdays, it is strange to me how getting older (once you are an adult) is anything to celebrate at all!

I don't mind joining in the celebrations for other people's birthdays though, as long as it involves wine and cake!

You do what you want and I'll do what I want.
I do think 70th birthdays are extra special though.

I think a lot of people go over the top with 'milestone' birthdays these days, much like everything else really - weddings, baby showers, hen and stag dos etc. I'm all for enjoying life but equally I can't bear too much fuss - I find it very self-absorbed. Fine if you're the one who's celebrating but for the family/friends/colleagues who are expected to organise surprises, buy presents and attend expensive get-togethers it's not always quite such a big deal.

I think you should do exactly what you feel comfortable with for your birthday :)

That's fine if that's what works for you motherinferior

Each to their own and all that, but I can think of nothing worse than a houseful of people, telling me that I'm wonderful, that's my idea of hell!

I don't drink alcohol either, so definitely no wine here.

I think everyone should do what makes them happy. Anyone complaining about 'being older' though needs a slap, because the alternative isn't much fun and many people who aren't 'getting older' would have loved to have had the opportunity.

Why 70ths in particular MrsCakes? A family member has that one coming up and I know a big deal will be expected to be made despite us doing exactly the same for their 60th.

I tell you what is over rated and that is 21st birthdays for DC. You feel you ought to be giving them a car or something but they are still just kids at Uni- it comes too soon. Ought to be their 25th.