# I don't really want much for my birthday **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 8, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359 "2012-11-08T15:33:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/1 "2012-11-08T15:33:39Z")
I don’t really want a present for my birthday. As it falls on a week-day this year, I’m just going to take the day off work and indulge in a few simple yet rarely-enjoyed pleasures, like: [ul] Sleeping late and having breakfast in bed.[/ul] [ul]Maybe spending the day in London, wandering around The British Museum and/or The Victoria & Albert Museum.[/ul] [ul]Renting a movie for the evening, with Chinese take-out for dinner and my favourite ice-cream for dessert.[/ul] Looking at the list above, it strikes me that these wishes are really mundane and pedestrian, but I can’t think of any presents that I actually want. Times are hard and money is tight. I don’t want much, but I fully expect that my office will forget about my birthday for the second year in a row. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2012, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/2 "2012-11-08T15:40:13Z")
Meh. Some people don’t really care about birthdays. Birthdays are fun when you’re a kid. As an adult, it’s just another day in the year. At least you won’t be at work and can sleep and do what you want. It would never, ever occur to me that I should do something for the birthday of a colleague. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/3 "2012-11-08T15:47:27Z")
Here at work we just mark colleagues’ birthdays with the signing of cards, the provision of cakes and nibbles and the consumption thereof. But they forgot mine last year, and I think they’ve only remembered twice in the seven years I’ve been here, the gits. I don’t want to descend into petty bitching, but …still… Anyway, this thread isn’t about that. It’s just about the simple pleasures I don’t really get to enjoy often, but which I plan to indulge in. I’m just going to have a “me” day. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/4 "2012-11-08T15:54:29Z")
Sounds heavenly! I hope nothing happens to disturb your plans. But do get yourself a bit of pastry somewhere, won’t you? A vanilla slice with tea at the museum cafe? Happy birthday! ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/5 "2012-11-08T16:01:11Z")
That sounds like a fabulous birthday! I’m the same way; I generally don’t really \*want \*anything on gift-giving occasions. The things I want I tend to just buy for myself anyway, or they’re too expensive/elaborate for someone to buy me as a gift anyway. I’d love to spend the day walking around the British Museum for my birthday. Of course, I live in California…but substitute any one of a number of museums in San Francisco and I’d be just as happy (well, almost). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/6 "2012-11-08T16:12:03Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Sounds heavenly! I hope nothing happens to disturb your plans. > > But do get yourself a bit of pastry somewhere, won’t you? A vanilla slice with tea at the museum cafe? > > Happy birthday! Thank you! I’m certainly planning on treating myself to various and sundry nibbles, treats and munchies throughout the day. Food will in fact play a large part in my plans for self-pampering. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/7 "2012-11-08T16:16:35Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > That sounds like a fabulous birthday! > > I’m the same way; I generally don’t really \*want \*anything on gift-giving occasions. The things I want I tend to just buy for myself anyway, or they’re too expensive/elaborate for someone to buy me as a gift anyway. > > I’d love to spend the day walking around the British Museum for my birthday. Of course, I live in California…but substitute any one of a number of museums in San Francisco and I’d be just as happy (well, almost). 🙂 The two things I’m truly passionate about are books and food, so either of those will do me nicely, but I get plenty of free books via work anyway, so the only thing I’m truly lacking is “me-time”. A Kindle Paperwhite \*would \*be nice actually, but I have a perfectly decent eReader already so I can’t justify the cost. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/8 "2012-11-08T16:19:10Z")
I think those ideas are lovely. I, however, have asked for things for my birthday, and am getting them: - To see Wicked (will be seeing it on the 20th) - Sherlock Season 2 - A new lighted case for my Kindle I also have the day off. They’ll have cake at work and a card. My birthday is the last of the year, and after all of our events, so I figure it’s just an excuse to have a party. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/9 "2012-11-08T16:23:56Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I think those ideas are lovely. I, however, have asked for things for my birthday, and am getting them: > > - To see Wicked (will be seeing it on the 20th) > - Sherlock Season 2 > - A new lighted case for my Kindle > > I also have the day off. They’ll have cake at work and a card. My birthday is the last of the year, and after all of our events, so I figure it’s just an excuse to have a party. Sounds fantastic, and happy birthday in advance! And sorry to hear about your gecko… I’m actually feeling a little morose today so my list is a little unambitious, but maybe I’ll think of something better tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/10 "2012-11-08T16:25:18Z")
Well, I would love to wander around London. It’s one of my dreams, actually, to go to london. Sigh. One day. Thank you (regarding my gecko). ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/11 "2012-11-08T16:28:05Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Well, I would love to wander around London. It’s one of my dreams, actually, to go to london. Sigh. One day. > > Thank you (regarding my gecko). Come to London on the 21st of November and we’ll wander round the British museum and scarf patently unwise amounts of food together. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/12 "2012-11-08T16:34:40Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > Come to London on the 21st of November and we’ll wander round the British museum and scarf patently unwise amounts of food together. 😃 Oh, I’m on my way, hon. I’ve actually been to the fair city twice, but once I was ten and missed my connecting flight so didn’t go beyond the hotel, and once I never left the airport. Le sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/13 "2012-11-08T16:55:23Z")
We tend to do things for our birthdays in the 8404/Plankton household. **Suburban Plankton** and **Ledzepkid** ’s birthdays are close. This year we went to see Aerosmith in concert. Nobody got presents, but the kid got a cool t-shirt. I’m already trying to figure out what I’m going to do for my birthday in January. Maybe San Francisco and go to museums and things. Maybe Disneyland. I would love to go to London and wander around there. I’ve been twice and still haven’t made it to the British Museum. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/14 "2012-11-08T17:00:01Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I would love to go to London and wander around there. I’ve been twice and still haven’t made it to the British Museum. Join the party! \*\*Anaamika \*\*and I will try to save you some food, but we can’t make any promises 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/15 "2012-11-08T17:04:17Z")
Heck, I live in London and think that sounds wonderful. I can’t think of anything I want for my birthday (or Christmas) either. Me-time is more valuable than trinkets in any case. Well, maybe a scarf would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/16 "2012-11-08T17:07:20Z")
Ooh clothes! I forgot about clothes! I haven’t bought new clothes in ages so I could do with a new coat or something - or maybe just a warm woolly hat to keep the wind off my shaved head. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/17 "2012-11-08T18:52:29Z")
Your birthday is Nov. 21st? Mine is Nov. 27th. I would like to go out for a nice dinner with my husband and maybe a couple other people; as for gifts, well, I don’t know - I don’t need anything, either. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/18 "2012-11-08T18:59:36Z")
Mine is the 30th. I close out the month. We have a bunch of November birthdays. TDN’s was the 1st, I believe, and No One Special shares a birthday with me. ---
**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/19 "2012-11-08T19:15:47Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Birthdays are fun when you’re a kid. As an adult, it’s just another day in the year. I generally agree, but… This year Mrs. Call said the same thing, “Oh, I don’t want anything but I know you’ll get me something so no more than $100” I complied. I got 20+ things, each under $100 (well except one… after tax) - some dollar store stuff, each with a memory or some significance attached. I wrapped each of them in identical giftwrap. On B-Day Nature Girl helped me deliver the stream of presents to the kitchen table in exaggerated multiple trips - Mrs. Call’s eyes widening each time. I was honestly able to say, “I did not get you one single thing for your birthday.” She loved it - it was like reliving Christmas as a kid. (oh yes, I’m not-so-stealth bragging here…) ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359/20 "2012-11-08T19:28:51Z")
Having breakfast in bed then walking around London sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime dream to me, so enjoy. My husband does get me a cake on my birthday, bless his heart. When I worked nobody in my office ever mentioned birthdays. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-really-want-much-for-my-birthday/640359.md?page=2)