25th June 2008
Do Birthdays Matter?

Today I left a comment on Love Is Blonde that I thought would make a good blog entry, if nothing else because it’d engage my readers’ thoughts, and that’s always fun to watch. ;)

Janet wrote about her birthday and so forth, as one often does. My comment was such:

First off, a very happy birthday, if belated.

Secondly, I wanted to comment on the phenomenon of birthdays. It’s funny — every year goes by and still a part of me wants it to be a day that’s somehow different from all the other ones, but the older I get the less remarkable they are. Is that the case with everyone — do we always want the day to be special, even if it isn’t?

I rather think it’s silly of us to expect our birthdays to be anything of note, but there’s some small kernel inside me somewhere that does. I’m not sure where that comes from — childhood expectations? Flirtatious hopes for something miraculous? I don’t know.

I don’t even mention my birthday anymore when it comes for fear that I’ll be perceived as being an ass and self-centered. (not that I’m calling you an ass, Janet, this is just how I feel) The question is, how important are birthdays anyway? How should we feel about them, really? Does it matter once you’re ancient like me? (30)

Aren’t we a funny species in what we do, celebrating the day we are born but ignoring the date of conception;  getting all tied up about when we get married but not the date when we met someone.   Who picked these dates in the first place as being notable?

So, dear reader, your thoughts?    And for the record, it is nowhere near my own date of birth, so this is not a subtle plea for recognition.  It is, very much, something that’s always plagued my thoughts.


Posted: on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 08:11.
Filed under: Philosophy.
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There are currently 9 responses to “Do Birthdays Matter?”

  1. 1 On June 25th, 2008, Katy UNITED STATES (22 comments) said:

    I see birthdays as a celebration of another year of life, cause
    face it….the alternative, thinking as such, is really not appealing.
    However, I also do believe that the celebration of birthdays as a big
    woo-ha-ha has been promoted by “Hallmark” and companies that make
    alcoholic beverages (at our age). I have found, as I’ve gotten older
    (27) that the best birthdays I’ve “celebrated” have been quiet ones
    with family and/or friends. I really do believe its important to
    celebrate to an extent, but perhaps we (the 20-30yrs) are old enough
    to forego the parties, as such. My thoughts….

  2. 2 On June 25th, 2008, The Casual Perfectionist UNITED STATES (8 comments) said:

    Personally, I love celebrating birthdays. Milestones of any kind are exciting. (And, for what it’s worth, my hubby and I still celebrate our “original anniversary” and our “wedding anniversary.”)

    Growing up, I remember my dad turning 29. The funny thing about that was that we celebrated his 29th birthday every year from that point. This year, we celebrated the 30th birthday of his 29th year. (You do the math.)

    Birthdays will always be a big deal in my house. They always were when I was a kid (even for my parents, see above), so I see no need to stop the traditions now. We may not have a full-on party on the day, but the birthday girl or boy gets to pick what’s for dinner and a big deal is made. I love it! :)
    The Casual Perfectionists last blog post..Social Butterflies

  3. 3 On June 25th, 2008, nicheplayer UNITED STATES (75 comments) said:

    Who picked these dates? Hallmark, that’s who!

    I know that, over the years, my attitude has shifted ever-so-slightly from “I’m another year older! Cool!” to “I lived another year! Cool!” And now that Ava’s here, well, time is all f’ed up anyway. Here’s how September goes for us: Wedding anniversary (6th); Ava’s birthday (17th); my birthday (20th). Leah reminded me last night that Ava came home from the hospital on my birthday in 2004. Seriously. What in the hell do you ever ask for again after a birthday present like that? Socks? Boxers? (Don’t say “iPhone,” you naughty, naughty man!)

    nicheplayers last blog post..First chipmunks, now moles

  4. 4 On June 25th, 2008, Arjewtino UNITED STATES (1 comments) said:

    I saw your comment on Janet’s blog and found it to be a perfect way of describing what it’s like to celebrate a birthday when you’re ‘ancient”.

    I find, since I’m arrogant all the time, that pointing out my birthday just makes me seem normal.

  5. 5 On June 25th, 2008, Nathan Pralle UNITED STATES (72 comments) said:

    Nicheplayer: September 20th, eh? That’s my birthday, too! Small world, dude. But September is a good month. :) I was going to say, “threesome”, but no…a kid trumps that. Nice second, though. ;)

  6. 6 On June 26th, 2008, Marie (84 comments) said:

    Might as well celebrate your birthday, if nothing else. Life can be pretty crappy sometimes so why not have a good time on the day you were born? As children the day was made to be all about us and generally good things happened on that day so I think even as we get older we still expect some kind of excitement and attention, even deep down. I just turned 22 and I think I still sort of expected something really neat to happen. What? I don’t know. I did have a nice party with family and friends and got a few presents and that was it. It’s not as full-blown as it used to be and maybe we just never grow out of it. I guess it’s what you make of it anymore once you get past like..age..10 :P I do think that maybe we should also celebrate the little things. Life is short and goes by fast.

  7. 7 On June 26th, 2008, Sara UNITED STATES (16 comments) said:

    I try to blow off my birthday as I get older, but deep down I have always wanted to have a surprise party thrown for me. No, it’s not a hint, just a silly thought of an adult who wants to always be a kid because she always wanted to be an adult as a kid. I have had some nice surprises on my birthday—unexpected flowers or a phone call from someone you haven’t heard from in a while. It’s just nice to know that someone is thinking of you on that day when we really are only turning a day older than the day before. It may be silly, but I say we all shout it from the rooftops and celebrate our next birthday with no regrets!!! :mrgreen:

  8. 8 On June 30th, 2008, janet UNITED STATES (5 comments) said:

    It’s like any other holiday, sort of made up but fun enough to keep doing each year. I guess just a fun day to feel special, but it helps if other people do something nice for you because it’s hard to celebrate alone.

  9. 9 On July 2nd, 2008, Jenn UNITED STATES (4 comments) said:

    I am a lover of birthdays. At my house, we even celebrate the DOG’s birthday. I have an unofficial birthday week… an entire week of excess and celebration and having and doing fun things. Well, not excess so much as moderation in moderation. I digress. Anyway, I don’t know where the expectation comes from, but my feeling is that you should do what makes you happy, especially on your birthday. And celebrate random things throughout the year, just to remember how good it is to have things in life to celebrate.

    Jenns last blog post..It goes without saying

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