# Do you like celebrating your birthday? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 16, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649 "2019-02-16T02:38:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/21 "2019-02-16T14:07:18Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > . . . We didn’t celebrate much, come to think of it. I guess they were Leaf fans too. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/22 "2019-02-16T14:11:27Z")
Fuck no. An hour ago my gf asked me if I wanted to go out for a special dinner or have her make me something special at home. I’d just as soon forget another reminder of aging. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/23 "2019-02-16T14:12:59Z")
No real celebration. **Mrs. FtG** bakes a cake. Get a few cards. Might get an Amazon gift certificate or something off my Amazon wish list. Have a burger, fries and a root beer for dinner. (That one goes waaay back.) A nice small part of an otherwise regular day. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/24 "2019-02-16T14:29:22Z")
If by “celebrate,” you mean going out for a nice meal or drinks with friends, sure. Anything more than that seems silly if you’re an adult. (Also, I usually go to an academic conference that coincides with my birthday about five years out of seven, so I’m generally busy most of the day doing conference-things.) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/25 "2019-02-16T14:46:03Z")
If my wife didn’t remind me, I’d likely forget it. Never had much interest in such things. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/26 "2019-02-16T15:02:57Z")
At work everybody’s birthday gets free coffee and cake, and the person gets a free gift bag with some items based on what they purchased during the year. Last year I got a winter hat, thermos socks, and method soap. I’m not crazy about it, but I’ve learned to live with it. ---
**Author:** ![dflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dflower/32/3270_2.png) [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/27 "2019-02-16T15:03:25Z")
Sure. It is a good reason to invite friends to share dinner and drinks. Because it is a birthday most will accept the invitation. I have not found a way to dissuade them from buying gifts, however. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/28 "2019-02-16T15:08:46Z")
I enjoy other people’s birthdays, but don’t like to make a big deal for my own. When I was little, I’d cry when my parents had people come over for my birthday. There are all these pictures of me crying at my birthday parties. Parents finally stopped when I turned 10. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/29 "2019-02-16T15:54:13Z")
My wife celebrates my birthday. For me it’s an excuse to buy an expensive bottle of whiskey. Last year bought a 28 year old bottle of bourbon, paid $200 for it. Worth. Every. Penny. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/30 "2019-02-17T00:19:42Z")
My birthday is also my husband’s birthday, and is also our wedding anniversary. Keeps us from having to remember three different dates. So rather than celebrating our own birthday, we celebrate each other’s, and our joint anniversary. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/31 "2019-02-17T00:59:23Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > My birthday is also my husband’s birthday, and is also our wedding anniversary. Keeps us from having to remember three different dates. So rather than celebrating our own birthday, we celebrate each other’s, and our joint anniversary. That’s lovely! ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/32 "2019-02-17T01:45:14Z")
Haven’t acknowledged a birthday since 1981. The aging thing doesn’t bother me so much as the deep depression accompanying the idea that I should “celebrate” my “special day.” ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/33 "2019-02-17T01:48:29Z")
I don’t really care one way or another. However, my kids are still young and having family events are good ways of bonding as a family. OTOH, my wife’s birthday is two days after my exwife’s. I’ve never actually made that mistake, but I’ll be damned if I didn’t have sleepless nights trying to remind which was which. She’s not really into them either so it’s all cool. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/34 "2019-02-17T01:56:47Z")
I like to do a little something, go to dinner or get a back rub or something. I don’t demand anything fancy, usually, but my main request is that I want a birthday cake made by someone other than myself involving chocolate. Last year was my 50th, though, and so we went to Italy. But it’s something we both wanted to do anyway. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/35 "2019-02-17T03:28:43Z")
I do but unfortunately my wife doesn’t care for doing so anymore (never mind - long personal story). Once I broke the age of 27 I always looked at it as my way of giving the finger to everyone who wanted me dead by then. Two of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t get to do anything for the milestones of 50 and 60; and I doubt I am going to make 70. So I’m just at a loss. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/36 "2019-02-17T04:59:28Z")
my birthday is coming up next week… I could NOT care less… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/37 "2019-02-17T07:02:38Z")
Only by myself. Don’t want any family weirdness. I ski\*, come home and cook a nice dinner and beer. Play with the dogs. No fuss. Been like this for a long time. A good day usually. \*They know when they scan my pass, and sometimes make a scene, but I play it down. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/38 "2019-02-17T14:34:56Z")
I like to celebrate my birthday, and like it even more when others celebrate it too! You don’t even have to be in my presence to do so. I invite any and all to celebrate with and for me. World Party Time! I’m at that stage where I brag about my age. One of those stage of life things…start off giving my exact age, like four and 3/4ths years old, then wanting to be older (gotta drive to have real dates), then lying about my age to buy beer, then the long stage where I am just my age with no frills, then looking forward to the senior discounts and National Park passes, and then…my present stage where I will drop the age bomb at a moment’s notice. Really, who woulda thought I am 75…well almost 76. We humans are weird critters. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/39 "2019-02-18T15:09:19Z")
I like to celebrate with my immediate family. But if my workplace tried to do something, eh, I’d rather not. Only because I don’t want to have to return the favor. I know, what a curmudgeon. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649/40 "2019-02-18T15:47:40Z")
My birthday is in July. I love getting together with my family and celebrating. Why not? Life can be pretty crappy at times, so if there’s a reason to have a little fun and enjoy a beautiful day, I’m all for it. The last few years, I’ve taken the day off work and my sisters, mom, aunt, niece (and whoever else wants to join in) go on a day trip to one of the state parks. We look at the scenery, go for a walk, take lots of pictures and then have lunch or early dinner somewhere. We go to a different place each year. They’re usually places we never take the time to see otherwise and they’re within 50 miles from where we live. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-celebrating-your-birthday/829649.md?page=3)