Birthday Celebrations….what do you do

I expect nothing whatsoever from others for my birthday, i never make a big fuss over it. Next year i will be 60 and i have plans set in my mind, thankfully next year my birthday falls on a Sunday so that makes my planning soooo much easier. No party, I'm not a party person, never have been, I'd sooner spend it with my family.

As 1 of my friends said " Its just another day." 🥳

My birthday is also our wedding anniversary. Planned on purpose so DH has no excuse to forget.
We usually try to be away, just the 2 of us. We cruised into Venice on my 50th.
For my 60th the AC told us we'd need to be back from our holiday for the actual day. They'd planned a day out culminating in a dinner for the larger extended family and a night in the hotel. All a surprise.
We have booked a long weekend away for this year.

Have to agree with Witzend regarding unexpected pleasure in surprise. If my sons had told me what they had planned for my latest zero birthday I would have asked them not to but I did indeed have a very memorable and happy occasion with many members of my family. Not what I would have chosen at all ever but.....somewhat wonderful once I got over the initial shock.

We have family get-togethers for all our birthdays - not individually, but grouping a few together, so usually four or five dos a year. We’re having one this weekend for DS’s (end August) and DD1’s (end September). The dates depend on when we can all make it, and the venues vary depending on who fancies hosting. Everyone gets a cake, usually made by me (I’m having a go at a 2D comic cake this time, so wish me luck). Before the grandsons we’d all go out for a meal, but they’re still young, so for now it’s better for them just to run riot together in one of our houses.

For big birthdays DH and I have in the past hired local venues and invited family and lots of friends, but I’m not sure we’ll do it again. For one thing we have January birthdays, four days apart, so a) the weather’s usually a worry and b) everyone’s a bit partied out by then!

My birthday is just after Christmas, ( waves to Kitty) so there’s not much happening due to Christmas and New Year fatigue.
For big birthdays I usually hint ( large hints ) to DH what I’d like to do, he always manages to get it right.

This lunch was a couple of days before my birthday. On my actual birthday me, OH, sister, brother, his partner and my daughter went for lunch at my favourite restaurant. Much food and wine was consumed - I had Steak Diane which I adore.

It was my 70th this year. My brother, his partner, my sister and my niece all came over from Australia. My sister had asked my children what sort of meal I would like. She cooked lunch for 12 and my niece made a birthday cake. My younger son insisted it should be accompanied by a bowl of whipped cream. My brother made a speech. I had some beautiful presents. My elder son gave me a cooking course voucher and I’m going to a Patisserie day school in a couple of weeks! However, it feels weird being 70 and I haven’t got my head round it yet.

Sar53 looking forward to seeing the photos 😘

It was my 70th in June. I arranged a birthday lunch for 24, all four of our daughters (2 each), their husbands and our 10 grandchildren plus two of my brothers and their wives. This was all arranged back in January, menus were decided on and wine ordered. We had a small private room in a local hotel.
I paid for the whole thing as it was important to me to have all the most important people in my life together. Probably the one and only time as we are spread all over the country.
It was a fabulous afternoon and everyone had a brilliant time.
I have lots of wonderful photos of the day.

My birthday is in July, so when the children were at school we were often away or travelling to holiday destinations or my family home in Europe.
If not it was a BBBQ on the closest weekend with a bouncy castle etc.

My 60th I was totally spoilt by DH, friends and family.

Now it’s a family meal with AC, GC and my best friend.

I'm not a big party person, but still like the day recognized, if even in a small way. My DH never forgets, and will ask in advance what I would like to do; go out or stay in. If staying in, he will arrange that we have a cake and invite the family around for cake. My DD is good at remembering, and will remind her brothers to go visit Mum!

DH usually tells be to buy myself something nice for my birthday as well. He admits to being bad at gift giving, so will remind me to buy myself something! Since I am born in November, a pair of boots or nice gloves are guilt free options!

I dont do celebrations aimed at me. I dont mind others having celebrations but just not me. We all have a birthday after all.

I wouldn't like a surprise party but DH and a couple of daughters arranged a party for my 70th which was lovely. My birthday is the January and no one really wants to do another thing so soon after Christmas and New Year so it was really lovely.

DH birthday is August so we often have a bash around then.

I do like surprise presents though - that shows thought.

My friend had a surprise birthday party at her house and only knew about it when she returned home to a house full of people. She said she didn't enjoy it at all and could only think of all the dusting she wished she had done.

I would be mortified if a surprise birthday bash was arranged for me, could not think of anything worse. I certainly don't like a fuss or to be the centre of attention. Much happier with something more low key like a meal in a lovely restaurant or Mr J and I going away for a few days. Happy for those who want a big surprise but it is definitely not for me.

I think I would actually faint if my husband organised anything to do with birthdays or any event, come to that.

In 10 days we are going on the Northern Belle train for afternoon tea, which of course I booked. I could have gone to Spain for a week for what it’s cost but I have always fancied it. His birthday was July and mine is Oct so it’s to celebrate both.

All holidays I book, all days out, all meals out, everything. He enjoys whatever I plan when we actually go but always says he has too many jobs to do at home to even think about going.

My adult children always take me out somewhere special, so I don't have to arrange anything. I'm not a party person - too much noise and hard work too.

My DD's live hundreds of miles away so it is just DH and myself .Usually a good meal out on the nearest weekend. DD's do send presents and cards and I usually get a lovely bunch of Autumnal flowers I would not buy myself from DH.
My big one was during Covid so we went for a tour of the part of the country I had been brought up in with a picnic at the seaside.

Lunch out with my OH usually and a family meal during the nearest weekend, sometimes at home, sometimes at a local pub. The meal takes a bit of arranging so everyone has an input for available dates, so no-one forgets! We do the same for my OH and AC's.
Only under 10s have a celebration on their actual birthday!

My eldest daughter arranged my sixtieth birthday. I was completely blown away! I was sitting with my class when the head walked in with her and told me I had the day off!

Keep my head down.

Same as you bytheway sort it myself, usually a family meal, MrJ does ask me for a list of gifts I’d like and gets me flowers. My daughter and grandchildren visit with cards and a small gift, she also nudges my son!

I usually go to lunch with my husband. Our daughter, son in law, granddaughter, my sisters and their DHs usually visit the night before with gifts.

My adult children come round with their families after work to have a slice of birthday cake made by the oldest granddaughter. They bring small gifts and cards which the youngest grandchildren open together with any cards that come through the post. To see them all together for an hour is all I want.

When my H was alive if I didn’t organise something, just usually a meal out, or a meal in which I cooked then nothing at all would happen ,even big birthdays.
He just wasn’t an occasion man.
Now my GD lives with me, she will organise a nice meal out, last year we went to the Ivy in Manchester with drinks first at 20 stories, a roof top bar 20 stories high, it was very special.
My D lives a long way from me and my S, just like his father, does nothing.
You get used to it after a while, doesn’t mean you don’t notice though.
A belated Happy birthday.