Adults who over-celebrate their birthdays?

[Anonymous]

I know so many adults who over-celebrate their birthdays. Examples, I know someone (34) who has celebrated "birthday week" (and "birthday month!") for as long as I've known them. Like, "manicures for my birthday on Monday, drinks after work Wednesday, birthday eve dinner on Thursday, and a blowout on THE day."

Another person (50s) MUST celebrate with everyone. "Oh, you can't make it to dinner with my parents and siblings on Friday? Let's celebrate ME on Satursay then!"

Another one (40s) plans her own events! "Come to dinner for my birthday!"

Is this the epitome of needy? I like to pretend my birthday doesn't exist. It's cool if my husband and kids remembers me, but really, everyone was born. It's not some huge event. Right?

I get celebrating milestone birthdays, but really, playing up your 36th or 44th Birthday? Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

It's lame and all a part of the narcissistic social media culture many people have come to unthinkingly embrace nowadays. It really infantilizes adults. Sure, I like some attention and notice on my birthday, and I still like to get birthday cards, but this over the top "Treat yo self" crap is pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's lame and all a part of the narcissistic social media culture many people have come to unthinkingly embrace nowadays. It really infantilizes adults. Sure, I like some attention and notice on my birthday, and I still like to get birthday cards, but this over the top "Treat yo self" crap is pathetic.

I agree on the infantilism. I get up on my birthday like any other day. I go to work like any other day. I don't need the attention all day, and usually hope nobody remembers! Or if they do, they don't feel the need to make a huge deal that I'm turning 36, or whatever. I love a little card from my kids, and maybe my husband doing something small for me, but other than that, who cares?

[Anonymous]

I'm with you 100%. I can't stand people like this. Honestly, the only milestone birthday worth celebrating these days is 100 because it's hard to get there. Birthdays are for kids (or, I guess, up to 21). After that, get over yourself. Nobody cares it's your birthday, except maybe your parents.

[Anonymous]

OP, do the people you are denigrating in your post have children?

[Anonymous]

I see this, too! And to answer pp's question, the few I know do have kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, do the people you are denigrating in your post have children?

OP here, and yes! All have children!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, do the people you are denigrating in your post have children?

Says the person who cleebrates ME! Look at me! Looke at me! I was BORN!!!

[Anonymous]

I personally think it's fun. However, if I can't make something, I don't think it's a big deal and I hope the birthday person also doesn't think it's a big deal. Otherwise, I'm up for celebrating.

[Anonymous]

Whatever, lots of folks didn't make it see another year and I will celebrate every year that I am able to mark living in this world. You can just live and die if that's your thing. No birthday cake for you.

[Anonymous]

I don't go over the top, but with so many illnesses taking people out at young ages these days I'm just happy to see another year alive. Several friends have died of cancer, and hey we're all late 20s. I'm just thankful to be alive honestly. I never post anything on Facebook on my birthday, but I do celebrate my birthday. This year is a milestone birthday (30), and I'm taking a cruise with DH. Nothing on Facebook. There's a serious problem with people "Facebook living." I read an article about it somewhere. I'll post it, if I can find it.

[Anonymous]

I don't know. Most of my friends either only celebrate quietly at home with their families, or occasionally invite a group to dinner or to their house. If it's out to dinner, it's a modest place we'd go anyway just for fun, and it's understood you pay your own way (though almost always everyone splits the birthday girl's tab among the others, which is nominal and fine with me).

I almost always just celebrate at home, but about every 3 years I'll get a group together, or let a friend send a casual invite for me. To be clear, these invites are akin to "Hey, does anyone want to get together for dinner on January 1?" It just happens to be a birthday. No decorations, gifts, etc...

[Anonymous]

Oh bs. My grandparents and parents celebrated every birthday. They had a dinner party and invited a ton of people every year. I learned to say a birthday toast at 5 and have offered one at every party. Different county. We flew back for as many of grandparents birthdays as I could when we moved here. Parents have been here 25 years and still do a big partly every year and a bigger one for the 10 year milestones. It's fun. They cook/cater the food and drinks. Guests bring flowers and sometimes presents. It's lovely. I've thrown myself a similar party since I moved to college and it's been a blast. Granted I provide everything, food, liquor etc. sometimes people bring things but rarely. It's a wonderful way to see people and celebrate a fun day. We just did that for my 36th, we had 30-40 people. My parents and inlaws helped cook and set up since I have a baby. Friends came with their kids, out of town guests. We had a great time eating and chatting in the back yard and watching kids play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't go over the top, but with so many illnesses taking people out at young ages these days I'm just happy to see another year alive. Several friends have died of cancer, and hey we're all late 20s. I'm just thankful to be alive honestly. I never post anything on Facebook on my birthday, but I do celebrate my birthday. This year is a milestone birthday (30), and I'm taking a cruise with DH. Nothing on Facebook. There's a serious problem with people "Facebook living." I read an article about it somewhere. I'll post it, if I can find it.

I'd love to see it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh bs. My grandparents and parents celebrated every birthday. They had a dinner party and invited a ton of people every year. I learned to say a birthday toast at 5 and have offered one at every party. Different county. We flew back for as many of grandparents birthdays as I could when we moved here. Parents have been here 25 years and still do a big partly every year and a bigger one for the 10 year milestones. It's fun. They cook/cater the food and drinks. Guests bring flowers and sometimes presents. It's lovely. I've thrown myself a similar party since I moved to college and it's been a blast. Granted I provide everything, food, liquor etc. sometimes people bring things but rarely. It's a wonderful way to see people and celebrate a fun day. We just did that for my 36th, we had 30-40 people. My parents and inlaws helped cook and set up since I have a baby. Friends came with their kids, out of town guests. We had a great time eating and chatting in the back yard and watching kids play.

Same poster. Oh and none of this was on Facebook. If someone brings a good camera we share pictures by email later.