Is acknowledging a birthday important

crimson we do give mixed messages sometimes don't we,in my case I think the whole idea of a surprise ..well I don't know how I would cope because its never happened,but I would love one but hate the attention at the same time
glitabo that is a lovely idea kind of like a happy hour,and then crimson and all others with the same date could join us and we could do that for them...in fact why not for all GNs on their birthdayxxxxxxxxx

Do you know what? I would love a big banner on the bridge/roundabout / fence saying today nellie is 60 ....is that exhibitionist or what!!

Littlenellie; I'm 1st Jan and I hate it. We do all have a curry night but I get hardly any cards. I remember going to a friends house when it was her birthday and there were cards everywhere. I've always hated new year anyway and the older I get the more I hate it. The S.O. says birthdays are really important because it's celebrating the day you were born [obvious, really, but something that never sunk in with me over the years]. Everyone who knows me knows that any sort of surprise party would be my worst nightmare. I received a huge bunch of flowers from work this year because it was my 60th and [me being me]as I'd had a few tests done, healthwise, I was convinced they knew something I didn't and felt really worried. When we were first married my ex husband didn't give me a card for my birthday; I cried for days..he said he didn't understand why I was upset because he hadn't forgotten he just hadn't bothered to get one..if he'd forgotten he could understand why I was upset [note the EX husband bit ]. It doesn't bother me these days if I don't get cards unless it's my children that haven't bothered, as other parents seem to have such a fuss made of them [again something I'd hate; I'm just the sort of annoying person that you can't win with!].

Littlenellie
Can't we arrange some special gransnet time on your birthday so we all send you birthday wishes and love? Perhaps 7pm -8pm.
We can all have a and .

It is a difficult time of year for a birthday, I agree, nellie. My former MIL's birthday was Boxing Day, so her cards were always put in with the Christmas cards, and although the family certainly remembered her birthday, it was never really celebrated separately from Christmas itself.
I hope your neighbour does organise something special for you this year!

Littlenellie, you have almost reduced me to tears. It's such bad luck to be born so close to Christmas. I have or had a lot of relatives in that situation and we have always tried to remember to give separate birthday and Christmas presents. GD1 will be 21 on New Year's Eve. Can't believe she is all grown up.
Don't let your family off the hook. 60 is a landmark birthday and you have had so much to survive that you deserve a decent celebration.

Or have an official birthday on a date of your choosing - just like the queen.

Not always but he is getting better,but he does have memory problems because of his dyslexia ....my answer is to hide away,in case I go outside and shout at the top of my voice IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY,as I did when I was a child,and then got slapped for it for drawing attention to myself.
I honestly think it is the time of year,we did go down the route of June 29 th but it didn't work and wasn't the same,I think if Kate was here a daughters influence may have changed things....have told my neighbour is a lot younger and I think she may have something up her sleeve,,can honestly say that my birthday is the one day where I have so many mixed painful feelings ,looking forward to it but dreading it,and I truly feel hard done by and very sorry for myself....not an admirable trait

I am feeling sorry for you littlenellie - get this in hand this year and PLAN SOMETHING NICE, then tell those that matter to "keep the date" and make sure you go out!

Oh, nellie!
Surely your lovely OH remembers....?

I still get dissapointed and hurt when my birthday is forgotten,never once having a party or cake or even a fuss made.My birthday falls on 29 th December,that tumbleweed time between Christmas and new year,the postman never calls ,or maybe not even back at work,cards ..if remembered arrive with Christmas cards,weeks before and get ripped open by mistake,the scenario Christmas or birthday present apply,and most often if money is short neither,which more than often it is,and always has been all my life because of the date,and if I do get a token box of Roses wrapped in Christmas paper left over from someone's Christmas gifts or unwanted presents.
Restaurants are still serving Christmas food,and regular opening times are suspended,this year is my 60thand have no reason to think things will be any different,every year on my birthday I am still the little girl with her nose pressed to the window waiting for a postman who never comes and it hurts..

I am 70 in a few weeks and I know that 2DSs and DiLs are planning something for me. They won't tell me what it is but said that I should enjoy looking forward to it as they are sure I will enjoy it.

My family always remember my birthday, DH, sisters, DD and DS cards arrive in good time and usually flowers from DD in Brussels too. I get beautiful, thoughtful gifts and cards written by GC too. We receive anniversary cards every year too which is kind and not expected.

Hoist with your own petard, methinks, Greatnan!

I was slightly miffed when my daughter, her husand and his two sisters clubbed together to pay for his mother and father to stay in a hotel in London and go to a show on her 70th birthday. I got a card on mine! (Mind you, they have bought me some great Christmas presents and I have said many times that I am not bothered about birthdays.)

G23, what a lovely GD you have. That sounds like a great idea for a themed party. My family gave me a wonderful 'do' for my 70th, with a bagpiper to pipe in the guests! That should last me pretty well until my 80th.

I was cutting my DGD1's hair on Sunday when she remarked, out of the blue, that I never get a proper Birthday Party. Our Birthdays are only 3 days apart and she was contrasting her big Olympic themed party in a small hall with my modest 2DD + 3DGC afterschool tea at my house. I told her that I was happy to have my most loved people and the cake she had made with her Mummy but she insisted that next year I am to have ALL my friends, everyone is to dress up (not school uniform!) and we have to play games. After a bit she announced that the 'theme' should be the Olden Days..... So, Pass the Parcel, Grand Old Duke of York, Musical chairs, Postman's Knock, here we come - Could I go as Norah Batty?

You share a birthday with my 'baby' brother greatnan He is 55 on Thursday. September is a hectic month in our family with elder son (16th), my sister-in-law (25th), my brother (27th), younger son (28th), eldest granddaughter and youngest brother-in-law (29th).

Time for a lie down after that lot before the run up to C*******s!

Guess when my gs Guy has his birthday? Honestly - the name was chosen and he just happened to arrive a little early.

My birthday is on 27th, and I think I will get a phone call from NZ - fortunately, they get free calls to Switzerland as well as France.

I do genuinely feel that I among friends on Granset - not just the few I have met but all of you who have taken an interest in my daughter's story and given me so much sympathy and good advice. I will raise a glass to you all on Thursday (I have bought myself a bottle of good wine!)

When I worked in Monaco, I shared a birthday with my employer, although he was 18 years older. He thought it was very significant that his car registration number was MC2727. I thought it was just a coincidence, but if it made him happy........

You say "they have busy lives and they don't remember things" - sorry, but we have/had busy lives too! It is the not being remembered that is hurtful. You remember what you want to, I think, so being "forgotten" is as I said hurtful. I would like DD to bring the DGC up to remember and to care - presents are not important, maybe a text is all, but it is the remembering that matters. Knowing that you matter

The simple answer to the OP is, if it's mine - yes!

I would be upset. It's happened to me in the past and I was heartbroken because I thought they were punishing me for leaving their dad. But then I realised that as someone else said they have busy lives and they don't remember things. In fact part of it is my fault because I used to do all the remembering for them so they never learned to do it.

Now a card is lovely but a text keeps me happy. Maybe it's a sign of the times...don't send a card send a text.

I love getting cards, but I stopped gifts for family (adults) a few years ago.
I think a phone call or a quick visit is lovely and if I'm lucky my dgd will make me a yummy cake (she's 10)

Greatnan You are not alone..you've got us lot as soop would say!

As long as I get a card, I'm happy. I don't want DiLs to do the job of remembering, which my son understands now. Presents aren't important, although I treasure home made gifts from years ago.