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How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

(89 Posts)
Applegran Mon 14-Mar-22 15:30:53

I've had a lot of birthdays! But I still enjoy receiving cards and friendly messages - especially from children and grandchildren - but of course also from friends and other family. I haven't got room for much more 'stuff'! Am unsure what to say when asked what I'd like - recently have asked for donations to the DEC for refugees. Because of Covid I don't want to go to a restaurant either. What do others do or like to happen on their birthdays?

lovebeigecardigans1955 Mon 14-Mar-22 15:35:07

I don't like too much fuss but coffee and a cake in a local cafe is enjoyable. I'd feel a bit embarrassed if a special birthday cake was brought out to me with 'Happy Birthday' sung out loud. I'd smile politely but would find it a bit toe-curling.

M0nica Mon 14-Mar-22 15:35:27

With cards and a meal out.

mokryna Mon 14-Mar-22 15:36:28

My family and friends round a table having a lovely chatty time over a delicious meal. No presents needed.

ShazzaKanazza Mon 14-Mar-22 15:37:08

In Madeira with my DH.

paddyann54 Mon 14-Mar-22 15:37:25

Dinner somwhere nice with my OH ,I keep telling the family no presents, hoping they'll donate to the Ukrainian fund this year .
They have sometimes listened and donated to a charity of my choice

Kim19 Mon 14-Mar-22 16:17:33

Love to have cards and meal out with loved ones equals perfection. Usually lucky.

NotAGran55 Mon 14-Mar-22 16:20:01

No cards or presents, just the company of my sons, their partners and my husband at a meal out.
My sister rings and sings Happy Birthday before going to work and my brother texts a greeting.
No fuss or cake etc.

Pantglas2 Mon 14-Mar-22 16:22:04

An acknowledgment of my special day from those I love - be it text, email, card, phone call, present, drinks or food. All precious in their own way.

Kate1949 Mon 14-Mar-22 16:26:14

Our daughter, son in law and granddaughter pop in the night before, usually with lovely gifts.
On the day, I like to go to lunch with DH somewhere cheap and cheerful.

tanith Mon 14-Mar-22 16:34:53

Cards and a meal with family, either cream tea or lunch somewhere nice.

Jaxjacky Mon 14-Mar-22 16:40:10

This year a meal out with MrJ then drinks in our local including our son and his partner. No daughter or grandchildren as they had covid in the house.

GrandmaSeaDragon Mon 14-Mar-22 16:48:26

Time away with our 2DDs, SiLs, 5DGC and dog at Easter when my birthday falls. This year a week in Southwold, which will hopefully be 3rd time lucky as last 2 years have been lost due to lockdown. Hurray for that but not being another year older!

aonk Mon 14-Mar-22 16:51:21

Just time with my family really. I’m happy to entertain them to a meal or go out. Or just a cup of tea! As long as they’re involved. It’s up to them if they want to donate to charity. Not something we would discuss as all have different views on it.

V3ra Mon 14-Mar-22 17:00:13

GrandmaSeaDragon

Time away with our 2DDs, SiLs, 5DGC and dog at Easter when my birthday falls. This year a week in Southwold, which will hopefully be 3rd time lucky as last 2 years have been lost due to lockdown. Hurray for that but not being another year older!

Fingers crossed for you this year! ?

We had a family get-together weekend recently for my Dad's 90+1 birthday, which had to be postponed last year.
Twenty two of us including six great grandchildren. Dad really enjoyed his weekend and said he couldn't believe he was related to so many people ?

Callistemon21 Mon 14-Mar-22 17:10:15

A meal out with family.

Several people I know have asked for donations to a fund to help Ukrainian refugees in lieu of a present.
A lovely idea

GrandmaSeaDragon Mon 14-Mar-22 17:15:32

Thank you V3ra, less than 4 weeks to go now! So glad your Dad enjoyed his 90+1 party, what a lovely gathering for him. We’ve missed younger DDs 40th and my 70th, so a bit of celebrating is in order when we all get together!

TwiceAsNice Mon 14-Mar-22 19:23:35

Don’t mind as long as I can spend it with family. My birthday is in the middle of July so it’s become a bit of a ritual the last few years to have a barbecue at daughters house and she cooks me my favourite rib eye and mushrooms , a glass of Prosecco or rose and a scoop of ice cream to finish!

I get a card off the granddaughters which I always keep and they all usually give me a nice present too. Sometimes something I’ve asked for and sometimes a surprise. I’m very lucky and grateful

foxie48 Mon 14-Mar-22 19:28:34

My birthday is boxing day so it gets rolled into the general Christmas celebrations, which I don't mind in the slightest. We are often staying with family and my SIL always makes me a chocolate log with a robin and a candle on the top.

V3ra Mon 14-Mar-22 19:53:39

GrandmaSeaDragon we're celebrating my daughter's 40+1 later this year as well!
Between Covid restrictions and the happy discovery she was finally expecting a much-wanted second baby, last year's celebratory holiday had to be postponed for her too ?

Grandmadinosaur Mon 14-Mar-22 20:04:52

We often used to go away on holiday somewhere just me and DH.

Since having the GC I like to see them on the day. The eldest one the GS gets so excited when it’s Grandma or Grandads birthday with the cake, presents etc. Last year when it was lockdown and Grandads birthday we were discussing it saying we’d have cake,presents etc GS added don't forget balloons and pass the parcel so that’s what we did!

Oldbat1 Mon 14-Mar-22 20:18:41

Birthdays - not for me.

nexus63 Mon 14-Mar-22 20:18:48

i don't bother with birthdays any more, never really have done, my son gives me a card (i keep them all) and put's money in my account to buy whatever i want. i get messages on facebook from other family. i think sending cards is getting less and less over the last few years. i still do cards for grandchildren and my dad. lots of people don't bother and to others it is very important,....maybe it's an older thing, i will be 59 this year.

Cabbie21 Mon 14-Mar-22 20:38:42

I like getting cards, and am pleased if I get a text or phone call from any of the family. In 2020 my daughter and the grandchildren did a doorstep visit and brought us fish and chips which was a real treat. I like the day to be a pleasant one but nothing specific.

Serendipity22 Mon 14-Mar-22 20:45:46

Im not in the slightest bit bothered about cards and presents, its the company of my family and friends that make my day special.

smilesmilesmile