how do you celebrate your birthday essay

Birthday Essay

500 words essay on birthday.

Every year, we all become eager to celebrate our birthday. It is special as it comes only once every year and we get to celebrate it with great joy and happiness . Usually, a lot of wishes of people come true on this day and they enjoy the day with their loved ones. This birthday essay will tell us why it is a special day.

A Special Day

Birthdays are a very special day for everyone who celebrates it. Firstly, it makes the person feel loved when their close one does special things for them. Being loved is one of the most special feelings in the world.

Secondly, it makes the person mature. We all wait for our birthday every day as we get older and gain a sense of maturity every year. Our birthday marks the occasion for the very same thing. Moreover, it helps you gain special privileges as well.

After that, birthdays are also an eye-opener for many as they feel gratitude. When you see many people going out of their way to make you feel special, you feel gratitude for being blessed with so many things.

Most importantly, birthdays call for celebration. It is one day where we get to see all our loved ones in one place. No one can make an excuse and you get to spend time with everyone you love under one roof, it is nothing sort of magical.

My Birthday Celebration

Just like everyone else, I also look forward to my birthday every year. It happens on 9 th March which makes March a special month for me. Ever since my childhood, my parents have a birthday tradition.

Every year, we go to have ice cream late at night to mark the beginning of my birthday. It is a very small thing but it means a lot to me. So far, we have never missed doing this together and I hope we can continue it forever.

On my birthday, I usually throw a birthday party inviting all my close friends. It is a fun-filled day where all my friends partake in exciting activities. My mother makes my favourite dish which I enjoy eating on my birthday.

Moreover, the special part about my celebration is that my siblings prepare a dance performance for me every year on my favourite song. It is hilarious as they include funny steps deliberately to make me laugh.

The most exciting part about my birthday celebration is opening gifts when everyone leaves. I cherish every gift of mine dearly no matter how big or small. My favourite gift till date is the huge teddy bear my father got for me when I was six years old.

Therefore, each year, I wait eagerly for my birthday to arrive so that I can spend a great time with my friends and family. Moreover, it makes me realize how blessed I am to have all this.

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Conclusion of Birthday Essay

All in all, birthdays play an essential role in everyone’s life. It helps people feel special on that day and makes them more grateful. Moreover, they also turn more mature on each birthday. Thus, birthdays must be celebrated with one and all.

FAQ of Birthday Essay

Question 1: Why is a birthday important?

Answer 1: Birthdays are important as they are momentous occasions that commemorate a person’s birth anniversary. It helps people feel grateful for everything they have and reflect on everything they have been blessed with to celebrate.

Question 2: How do people usually celebrate birthdays?

Answer 2: People usually celebrate birthdays with their friends and family. Their loved ones bring a cake for them and they blow candles and eat it with everyone. Everybody sings the ‘Happy Birthday’ song for them and have a great time together.

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My Birthday Essay

Birthdays are often a joyous occasion for a person and their loved ones. People celebrate their birthdays in different ways, for instance, by partying, praying, or going on a trip. Here are a few sample essays on “My Birthday”.

100 Words Essay On My Birthday

My favourite day of the year for me is my birthday, which is on December 20. It's the day when I can do whatever I feel like, and I am made to feel extra special by my parents. My birthdays are always planned in advance. My parents always made an effort to prepare for my birthdays. When I was younger they bought me new clothes, new shoes, and new accessories so that I could dress my best.

They also used to take me to the market and get me to buy may favourite toys and video games. As I got older, slight changes emerged in the way we celebrate my birthday. Now, instead of receiving toys as a gift from my parents, I receive money. My family and friends gather around me to sing "Happy Birthday" as I cut the cake, and shower me with their blessings and good wishes.

200 Words Essay On My Birthday

I believe that it is a privilege for us to get to celebrate our birthdays, for a huge chunk of children does not get this opportunity. I believe birthdays are also a time for us to realise our responsibilities and take a step towards fulfilling them. I always make different plans for my birthday every year, but one thing that is common every year is that my dad and I visit the temple and give out sweets to the poor as we leave. It brightens my morning to see the children's smiles.

Gifting The Needy | Because my birthday falls in the chilly month of December, I made the decision last year to purchase winter clothing for poor and needy families living close to my home rather than spending money on a party and decorations on my birthday. My parents supported and helped me when I discussed this idea with them.

The Celebrations | We went shopping for clothing in the afternoon, including sweaters, jackets, socks, gloves, and other necessities, and distributed them among underprivileged children. The greatest gift they gave me was their joy and well wishes. We had a simple family dinner after returning home, which was a great way to end my day.

500 Words Essay On My Birthday

I, like many of us, am always excited about celebrating my birthday. In fact, my planning of my birthday celebrations begins weeks and months before the actual day. I also get my parents to brainstorm and suggest how we would celebrate my birthday.

One thing I always ensure is that my birthday celebrations should involve the most special people of my life, that is, my family and friends, and that I should also do some good to the needy and underprivileged children. Here is a detailed explanation of how I celebrated my birthday in one of the previous years.

Celebrations At School

On my birthday, which was on December 20’ 2008, the whole school sang a birthday song for me in the morning assembly. I wore my favourite dress to school instead of the school uniform and distributed sweets among all students and teachers. For my friends who reside far from my house, I planned a party.

We went for lunch, my father picked us up and drove us to a restaurant. They were all talking happily as they ate lunch. After lunch and dessert, my father dropped off my friends at their houses before we returned home.

Evening Celebrations

I had a variety of plans for the evening. A birthday party was planned by my parents at home with lovely decorations and a big theme cake.

The Cake | The decoration was done by an event planner, and the cake was also customised. It was of light blue and pink colour and had detailing made of cream-like flowers and leaves, with two candles attached at the top of it. It was made of two layers, the first layer was of strawberry flavour, and the other was of vanilla.

What We Did | By 5:30, all of my friends and family members had arrived wearing party clothes. They all wished me birthday. Around six o'clock, we had begun playing games like races, musical chairs, and other activities. After playing, I cut the cake, and everyone handed me gifts. Although I had to wait, I was very eager to open the gifts. After the cutting of the cake, dinner was served, with a few starters, and both vegetarian and non-vegetarian main course. I also gave the guests a return gift as an expression of thanks. The return gift consisted of a small ‘thank you’ card and some chocolates.

Gifts I Got

Everyone went back to their homes after dinner, and I started opening the gifts, no matter small or big. I received one Barbie doll set, some chocolates, video games and one handmade card made by my friend. I became emotional on seeing the handmade card as it was beautifully crafted, having some pictures of my friends attached to it. I kept this card safely inside my almirah so that it remained as it is and did not get lost.

My parents and I were feeling incredibly exhausted, but we were happy that we had a great party and a meaningful day. My parents got emotional thinking that time was flying by too fast, and soon I would grow up enough to get married and leave their house.

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How I Celebrated My Birthday Essay

The word ‘birthday’ when spelled sounds of exciting parties and beautiful wishes. Birthday is the most awaited day in the life of every person especially children. Most of us enjoy our birthdays in a beautiful manner. We enjoy this day with our friends, relatives and close ones.

Short and Long Essay on How I Celebrated My Birthday in English

10 lines essay on how i celebrated my birthday (100 – 120 words).

1) In the morning I went to the nearby temple with my mother.

2) On returning, we distributed food to the poor.

3) This day was full of birthday wishes.

4) In the evening, I celebrated my birthday at my farmhouse.

5) My parents had secretly organized a small party for me.

6) My friends, family, and relatives joined me at the birthday party.

7) I received so many gifts from my loved ones.

8) After cutting the cake, I played so many games with my friends.

9) We all enjoyed the cake and other delicious food cooked by my mother.

10) At night I was tired and directly went to the bed for sleeping.

Short Essay 1 (250 Words) – How I Celebrated My Birthday in lockdown

Introduction

Birthday is the most awaited day in everyone’s life. It is the day when we are born and is a special day for all of us. We get no scolding from our parents and elders on this day. Birthdays are enjoyed by people of every age group i.e. children, adults or older people.

Planning is the most vital part of a Birthday celebration

We all make plans for celebrating our birthdays every year. Most of us invite our friends and celebrate it at our home while many have plans to go on a trip to celebrate the birthday with family and friends. There are many people who love to celebrate their birthdays with poor children or in orphanages. It depends upon the choice of people. Small kids love to celebrate their birthday by inviting their friends and in this way they get a good time to play with them.

My own experience of a birthday celebration in lockdown

I had celebrated my many birthdays with my family, friends, and relatives. During the lockdown, we could not invite anyone and therefore I celebrated my lockdown birthday in a different manner. I thought to plant some new trees in my garden on my birthday. I spent my time planting trees and every member of my family planted one tree as my birthday gift. Thereafter, I enjoyed the delicious dishes made by my mother and feed the same to squirrels and birds in the garden and the street dogs too. I am a nature lover and therefore I loved celebrating my birthday in the lap of nature.

I really loved the way of celebrating my lockdown birthday as it gave me a chance to spend my beautiful day with nature. It was a memorable birthday of my life.

I have brought a long essay giving a beautiful experience of celebrating my birthday. I hope you will find it interesting to read and get an idea of writing essays on this topic.

Long Essay 2 (1000 Words): How a Birthday is a Special Day in Everyone’s Life

Birthday is the day on which we are born. It is our own and special day for us. Everybody has a unique way of celebrating their birthdays. Although every birthday reminds us of the lessening of one year from our life still we celebrate it and make it a special day for us.

Celebration of My Birthday

I am very fond of celebrating my special day of life every year. I want it to be the most unique and beautiful experience for me. I was born on the 14th of March and therefore my birthday falls at the onset of the spring season. The most unusual thing about my birthday is that it falls in the month of March and every year the annual exams are held during this time. In spite of examinations, I celebrate my birthday with full joy every year.

Last year also I had a wonderful celebration of my birthday. The day started with the beautiful wishes of my parents. I have started getting birthday wishes from my friends and relatives as the clock strike 12 in the night. I felt very fresh in the morning and as I had my exam on that date therefore I took bath and was ready to visit the temple with my father and get the blessing of God. I use to go to the temple on every birthday. My father dropped me at school and the exam on my birthday went very well. In the afternoon I also gave the party snacks to my school friends.

Slowly and gradually the celebration time arrived in the evening. I got a beautiful dress as my birthday present from my parents. I wore the same dress on that day. I along with my sisters had planned the games to be played on my birthday. The planning for arranging the games and return gifts were carried on from one week before my birthday. My parents had invited all my neighbors, friends, and family members to celebrate my birthday. I was overwhelmed with the beautifully decorated room as my birthday surprise. This was done by my sisters and friends. The cake was a white forest and it was my favorite flavor. Thereafter I blew the candles and cut the cake with the song Happy Birthday to you. I took the blessings of my parents and elders. My mother distributed the cake and snacks to everybody present at the birthday party.

It is a Beautiful Part of the Enjoyment

After cake cutting was over I moved to another room with my friends. We had planned different games and puzzles to be played on that day. We enjoyed the musical chair, pass the parcel and puzzle game was most interesting. There was a gift given after revealing every step of the puzzle. We did a lot of enjoyment, danced to different songs and finally, the celebration was near to the end. Everybody was served delicious food. It was time for everyone to leave and once again everyone wished me a happy birthday. We had decided to give cake and chocolates as a return gift to everyone.

A Unique Deed of My Birthday Celebration

For the last few years after celebrating my birthday at my home I used to go to donate food to the poor people in the slum area located at a small distance from my house. The people there were very poor. Last year also I went there with my father and sisters. I thought of celebrating my birthday with the children there. I took a one kg cake that I had bought by saving my own pocket money. I always used to think that we were blessed to have such caring parents and a beautiful family. We have tasted most of the things and we celebrate with the people who are also granted all those happiness.

Celebrating my birthday with the small children in the slum area was the most beautiful part of the day for me. They ate the cake as if they have never tasted it before. The smile on the faces of people over there gave me internal happiness. My father gave them the snacks and food that we have brought for them. Finally, we returned to our home and the celebration of my birthday ended with the immense blessing of many people.

The Time for Opening Presents

I am very much fond of my birthday as I receive different beautiful presents on this day. In the end, after everything was over I sat with my sisters to see what present have I received as my birthday gifts. It is very exciting to see the presents. One by one we had opened all the gifts and were very happy with such lovely presents from my friends, relatives, and family members.

Is Birthday a Special Day in Everyone’s Life?

The birthday of every person in this world states about the day they are born on this earth. It is really a special day for everyone. It brings in us the feeling that the day is totally our own day. It comes once only every year. We celebrate this day and the memories of the day make it a beautiful one. In my opinion, a birthday is a day when everybody cares for us. We receive beautiful presents and wishes from our relatives and friends that make it more special. Isn’t it? But there are also people in this world who are unknown of the day they were born like our grandparents and poor people.

I celebrate my birthday with great happiness and joy. Moreover, the blessing and wishes that I receive on my birthday are very precious for me. My parents make this day as most memorable day every year since my childhood. Every year it is the most special and the day full of surprises for me. I wait eagerly every year for my birthday.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Ans . It is the day when we are born and on this day we experience that how older we have grown, therefore it is special.

Ans . The birthday cake was first invented by German bakers.

Ans . The concept of celebrating birthdays was initiated by Greeks as they admired Egyptians celebrating pharaohs as Gods.

Ans . Silver Birthday is celebrated when a person turns to be of 25 years of age.

Ans . This is the birthday that is celebrated on attaining the age equal to our birth date.

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The New York Times

The learning network | student question | how do you celebrate your birthday.

Student Question | How Do You Celebrate Your Birthday?

Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

• See all Student Opinion »

Birthdays can often be a huge deal for children: themed parties, elaborate cakes, lots of presents, even goody bags. But at some point, do we outgrow celebrating our birthday? Or is it still fun to celebrate ourselves once a year with friends and family?

How do you celebrate your birthday?

In her satirical Sunday Review essay “ It’s My Birthday! Is That O.K.? ,” Alison Zeidman wonders if there is any room for a birthday get-together with friends in our increasingly informal, social-media-obsessed culture. Or is that asking for too much?

Hey everybody! It’s that time of year again … my birthday! It would mean the world to me if you all could be there to celebrate. I know you’re all busy with your own lives though, so if you can’t, no pressure. Seriously — please do not feel obligated. WHEN: I’m thinking Tuesday, March 22. That’s the actual date of my birthday, but more important, it’s a weekday. I know I can’t expect my birthday party to compete with anybody’s weekend, right? Or your Wednesdays. Or Thursdays. Or Fridays. Maybe Mondays, I guess. Hmm … should I switch it to a Monday? Never mind. Let’s just leave it on the 22nd — just in case I’m wrong and one of you is, like, the anti-Garfield and just loves Mondays! As far as time, I’m thinking … 7:30? Right? I figure that’s late enough for everybody to get there after work, but not so late that you’ll start to resent me for keeping you out. LOL. (But not really LOL — I mean, I get it, you have to get home, watch some TV, scroll through Facebook on your phone, stay up for another two hours … I totally get it. Don’t worry.) WHERE: I was thinking we could go to that place where Jen had her birthday dinner, the one with those amazing truffle fries. Remember the truffle fries?! I wasn’t invited, so I don’t — I’ve just heard a lot of people talking about them. It’s in Williamsburg, which I also figured would be good because I know a lot of us are living in that general part of Brooklyn these days. Except for Tom. Tom, you just moved to Park Slope, right? That’s kind of out of the way for me, but would you be more likely to come if dinner were in your neighborhood? And everybody else — would you be more likely to come if Tom’s coming?

Students: Read the entire Opinion essay, then answer the questions below:

— How do you celebrate your birthday?

— Was your birthday a big deal when you were younger? Do you have a favorite party or celebration that you remember? Is it still a big deal for you?

— Is celebrating our birthdays as we get older a fun way to bring our community of family and friends together? Is it just a good excuse for a party? Is it a healthy way to celebrate ourselves? Or is it a narcissistic exercise?

— What do you think of Ms. Zeidman’s satirical piece? What do you think is her message? Does it ring true? In what ways?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment below. All comments are moderated by Learning Network staff members, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Henry Xu on our Student Council suggested this Opinion essay.

What's Next

English that goes straight to the heart

How I Celebrate My Birthday

I always look forward to my birthday as I feel very happy and important on this day. For me, that day is when I am considered very important.

After reading this post, you will know how I celebrate my birthday.

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How I Celebrate My Birthday Essay (250+ Words)

I am very excited as it is my 20th birthday on April 9th. I have a lot of things to do like sending invitations, arranging games, and decorating the drawing room for my birthday celebration. My sister helps me by decorating the cards and writing addresses in beautiful handwriting. She also invites her friends to the party.

My father has a different idea about my birthday. Last year, he took me to an orphanage and made me contribute to their welfare fund. This year, he plans to take me to a school for the blind.

My friends start coming around 5 p.m. I greet them warmly and make them comfortable in the beautifully decorated drawing room. They bring gifts wrapped in colorful paper. Sometimes my uncle who lives abroad sends me a nice set of pens or a pair of jeans.

After all my friends have arrived, my mother brings out the cake and we light the candles. We sing “Happy Birthday,” and I blow out the candles. I cut the cake into small pieces and we enjoy it with some snacks. We also play games that are full of laughter and fun.

As the evening shadows lengthen, my faraway friends start saying goodbye. My father then takes me to a charity home, a school for the disabled, or a hospital in the city. He wants me to remember those people as my brothers and sisters and help them in their time of need.

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Essay on Birthday Celebration

Students are often asked to write an essay on Birthday Celebration in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Birthday Celebration

The joy of birthday celebrations.

Birthdays are special occasions in everyone’s life. They mark the day we were born, making us feel unique and loved.

Significance of Celebrations

Celebrations bring joy, uniting family and friends. It’s a time for cake, gifts, and wishes, adding to the day’s excitement.

Traditional Rituals

Many cultures have traditions like blowing candles and making a wish, symbolizing hope for the future.

Memories and Gratitude

Birthdays are a time to reflect on the past year and express gratitude for our blessings. They leave us with beautiful memories to cherish.

250 Words Essay on Birthday Celebration

Introduction.

Birthdays are universally celebrated occasions, marking the anniversary of one’s birth, a milestone that invites reflection on personal growth and achievements. They are more than just an annual event; they are a celebration of life and individuality.

Historical Perspective

Historically, the tradition of birthday celebrations originated in ancient cultures. The Greeks and Romans celebrated the birthdays of their gods and leaders. However, the personal birthday celebration as we know it today has its roots in the Middle Ages, when the advent of Christianity led to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Significance of Birthday Celebrations

Birthday celebrations serve as a reminder of one’s journey and progression in life. They provide an opportunity to reflect on the past year, evaluate personal growth, and set goals for the future. Furthermore, they foster a sense of belonging and provide an occasion to express love and appreciation towards individuals in our lives.

Modern Birthday Celebrations

Modern birthday celebrations often involve a blend of traditional and contemporary elements, ranging from cake-cutting to lavish parties. The celebrant is often showered with gifts, wishes, and sometimes, surprise parties, which are a testament to human creativity and the desire to make loved ones feel special.

In conclusion, birthday celebrations are a significant part of human culture, serving as milestones that allow us to celebrate life and personal growth. They are a testament to the value we place on individual lives and the joy we derive from communal celebration. As we continue to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these celebrations adapt, reflecting our changing values and cultures.

500 Words Essay on Birthday Celebration

The cultural significance of birthday celebrations.

Birthday celebrations, a universal phenomenon, are more than just parties and gifts. They serve as a cultural ritual, a rite of passage, and a reflection of societal values and personal growth.

Rituals Across Cultures

In every culture, birthdays are celebrated differently, reflecting distinct traditions and beliefs. For instance, in China, a newborn is considered to be one year old, signifying the time spent in the womb as part of life. The Chinese also celebrate the ‘Zhuazhou’ on the first birthday, where the child is presented with various objects to choose from, each signifying a different future path.

On the other hand, in Western cultures, birthdays are marked with parties, cake-cutting, and the blowing out of candles, each candle representing a year of life. This ritual is believed to originate from the ancient Greeks who offered round cakes to Artemis, the goddess of the moon, with lit candles symbolizing the glowing moon.

A Rite of Passage

Birthdays are also seen as rites of passage, marking significant stages in one’s life. The ‘Sweet Sixteen’ in America, the ‘Quinceañera’ in Latin cultures, or the ‘Coming of Age Day’ in Japan, all celebrate the transition from childhood to adulthood, emphasizing new responsibilities and privileges.

Reflection of Societal Values and Personal Growth

Moreover, birthdays reflect societal values. For instance, the emphasis on gift-giving during birthdays in consumerist societies signifies the importance placed on material wealth. Simultaneously, it also underscores the value of generosity and thoughtfulness.

On a personal level, birthdays offer an opportunity for introspection and growth. They serve as milestones, allowing individuals to reflect on their achievements, failures, and aspirations. They are moments to celebrate individuality, to acknowledge one’s existence and significance in the world.

The Evolution of Birthday Celebrations

In the digital age, birthday celebrations have evolved. Social media has transformed the way we celebrate, enabling virtual parties and greetings. Despite the physical distance, it allows us to connect and share our joy with a wider network of friends and family.

However, this shift has also led to debates about the authenticity of such celebrations. While some argue that virtual celebrations lack the warmth and intimacy of traditional ones, others contend that they are a testament to human adaptability and the power of technology in fostering connections.

In conclusion, birthday celebrations are more than just annual events. They are rich cultural rituals, significant rites of passage, and reflections of societal values and personal growth. As we navigate through the digital age, these celebrations continue to evolve, underscoring our adaptability and the enduring significance of these milestones in our lives.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on My Birthday Surprise
• Essay on Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
• Essay on Together Towards Tomorrow

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An Essay on My Most Memorable Birthday [With PDF]

Birthday, TAdaaa! The most exciting day of everyone’s life. A day full of fun and eat. Here in this essay paper, we are going to cover a birthday topic that is My most memorable birthday, so let’s jump into the topic!

Birthdays are a lot of fun. Your friends come together to celebrate your life and have a great time together. In my short life, I have seen a few birthdays. For the most part, they have been all the same. My parents send out the invitations, my friends dress up and come at the appointed hour, we eat a lot of food, play a lot of games and have a lot of fun.

One of the problems with birthdays though, all the good ones seem to melt together. It is hard to distinguish one birthday from another. They all seem to have a common theme and one good party is the same as the one previous to it and the one previous to that one.

Sometimes it is hard to pick one but not this time. I have one particular birthday that has stood out in my memory and while it does not haunt me it does not leave my memory banks. It is just kind of there reminding me that not all birthdays are memorable for good reasons. This particular birthday was not marred by accidents, injuries, or disasters. And the memorable part came after it was over.

It all took place on my 19th birthday, a year out of high school. I was a freshman in college at the time and my friends who attended were my classmates. It was not an exotic affair, just friends gathering together to celebrate a birthday over a nice dinner in town.

None of us had a car so we took the bus to the restaurant. This particular restaurant was not that expensive but it was very birthday friendly. That allowed us to have a good time without disturbing other dinner guests. I do not remember what we ate but it was good. That much I do remember about the food. the cake was shaped like a heart because my birthday falls on Valentine’s Day.

I have become tired of heart-shaped cakes as I seem to have one every year. My birthday wishes now are to get a different shaped cake next year. Before they presented me with their gifts they had to sing Happy Birthday to me which I appreciated but thought they could have skipped that part.

Of course, they did not have to but friends being friends always give something nice to their buddy on their birthday. This part I enjoyed immensely but it did not separate this particular day from all the previous ones. I always received gifts n my birthday.

I am not sure how long the party lasted but it could not go to late as our college had a curfew and we had to be back by 10 or we would be in trouble, birthday or not. By all accounts, this was not a memorable birthday. It was the standard party most people receive on their special day. Good friends just gathered together for a great time of fun and food.

What made it memorable was the news I received after I returned to my college dorm room. My family had called with sad news. One of my best childhood friends had passed away earlier that night. We were friends since before we went to elementary school and we faced school life together. He was more outgoing than I and he had a lot of friends.

What made it hard to fathom was my friend did not have a dangerous or contagious disease. Nor did he take a lot of risks when participating in different activities. No, he died of appendicitis. It had burst before the doctors could save him.

Maybe I would have understood it better if he had not died from such a simple medical procedure. There are times I think about my friend and that keeps this birthday standing out above all the rest.

So how was this essay on My Most Memorable Birthday, do share your thoughts on the comment section, I will love to see your comments!

Read More Essay on My Birthday cake

Essays About Celebration: Top 6 Examples Plus Prompts

Life provides us with many reasons to celebrate. Read this article for helpful essay examples and writing prompts you can use to write essays about celebration. 

From honoring people on their birthdays, commemorating historical events, and holding family gatherings for the holidays, there seems to be a near-endless number of occasions to celebrate.  Celebrations help us feel good about ourselves and the milestones we have achieved. We commemorate things essential to us, whether joyful events like a birthday or Christmas or a sad event like a loved one’s death anniversary. They are also essential to our culture, as they help us stay connected to our roots and heritage and preserve longstanding traditions. Without a doubt, celebration plays an important role in everyone’s life. 

If you’re having trouble writing essays about celebration, read the essay examples featured below.

Top 6 Essay Examples

1. festivals by everett smith, 2. i hate christmas. here’s why i’m celebrating it for the next 2 months. by elisabeth ovesen, 3. a birthday reflection by chava gal-or, 4.  why a pandemic christmas is the best damn holiday on the planet by reuben salsa.

• 5. ​​The Importance of Family Traditions by Lisa Cossey
• 6. ​​What is celebration? by Julian Baggini

5 Writing Prompts For Essays About Celebration

1. why do we celebrate, 2. different ways people celebrate, 3. are celebrations a waste of money, 4. the cultural importance of preserving celebrations, 5. my most memorable celebration.

“Festivals are part of one’s custom, culture and tradition. They are there for us to celebrate. It helps us forget our routine. It gives us some momentary, mental and physical relaxation and thus frees us from die shackles of monotonous work. It is a celebration, entertainment or series of performances of a certain kind, often held periodically.”

Smith writes about why celebrating festivals is so enjoyable, particularly in his native Kuwait. The month is filled with festivities, special events, and prayer. Smith also describes New Year’s Eve in Kuwait: it is celebrated with fireworks, friends, and family as in other countries. Festivals connect us to our traditions and allow us to relax, have fun, and celebrate. 

Check out these essays about being grateful .

“This year, Christmas is self-care and a means of survival. This year, I will not allow my mother’s slight to dictate my joy or the absence thereof. This year, she doesn’t win. I will break the chains created by her malfeasance, and I will celebrate this Christmas. I will celebrate the New Year even though, for many of us, it will most likely be as tragic as the one before.”

Ovesen recounts a Christmas experience in which her mother gave gifts to all the children but her, after which she never celebrated Christmas again. For decades, she did not celebrate Christmas; however, this year, she says, she will make up for all the missed celebrations. She does not want her mother’s mistreatment to control her happiness, so she chooses to celebrate life, family, and missed time. 

“One family even brought me a gift basket that literally brought tears to my eyes.  Another friend made me a gluten free cake which has now ruined my sons ever making me cake again; hers was too good!!!!  One gift that I always treasure is the phone call I receive each year from my brother; this year was no exception.  Finally, I was also able to hang with one friend in the morning and another friend in the evening.  Life is and was truly good!”

In her short essay, Gal-Or reflects on her birthday that year and what she has realized about life. She lists a few lessons she has learned, including the importance of having a voice, quality time, family, and friends. Her birthday celebration is simple; she only mentions meeting up with two friends, which makes her extremely happy. Gal-Or’s essay is an excellent example of how different people like to celebrate in different ways; some are content with the simplest celebrations.

“I’m thrilled that this year I have no obligation to visit. That finally, I have a legitimate excuse not to plaster on a fake smile, hold my tongue, and pretend that we all get along. This Christmas promises to be one of the merriest ever, knowing it’ll just be me, my wife, and the kids. Simpler times. No extravagance. No kowtowing. No begging and pleading in-laws to stay even though you want them to leave. No emotional regret for ruining yet another Christmas.”

Salsa remembers the Christmas celebrations before the COVID-19 pandemic and all the stress, squabbling, and discomfort that came with them. He recalls the chaos at previous Christmases with his in-laws and is relieved that the times keep them apart. Since the pandemic keeps the extended family from celebrating, he is relieved that their celebration will be relaxed, with just him, his wife, and the kids. 

5. ​​ The Importance of Family Traditions by Lisa Cossey

“No matter what your family tradition is or what your family chooses to create, just having something for all family members to look forward to each year is important. Traditions help create warm, positive memories that can be recalled fondly and draw family members back to one another year after year.”

Cossey’s essay simply describes how her family celebrates Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, they have several traditions, including camping trips, baking pies, and video calling other family members. These traditions strengthen familial bonds and create memories to cherish. Cossey also gives examples of other family traditions,  including movie nights, reading books, talent shows, and cooking. 

6. ​​ What is celebration? by Julian Baggini

“Perhaps on reflection, the best thing to do would be to curl up with a good book. The case is, as ever, inconclusive. But in a world where dogmatism is increasingly the greatest threat, perhaps the tentative nature of philosophical discourse is precisely what we should be celebrating, quietly.”

This essay about celebrating World Philosophy Day opens with a philosophical question. How exactly should such an eccentric occasion be celebrated? Baggini proposes having a philosophical discussion in a cafe, as many great philosophers once did, and a Greek-style party with philosophical exchanges. However, in typical philosophy fashion, the answer is inconclusive. Baggini suggests instead celebrating the “tentative nature of philosophical discourse.”

We all know the types of occasions that people celebrate, but why do people continue to celebrate? In your essay, look into the different reasons people celebrate, whether superstitious, cultural, sentimental, or entirely different. Don’t just give examples of occasions to celebrate; explain why people celebrate them. 

Think of an occasion such as a birthday, holiday, or religious festival and write about how people typically celebrate it- What do they eat? Who do they celebrate with? What are other traditions connected to it? You may include information from the internet, but your essay can be based entirely on your opinions and experiences. 

Some say that celebrating is a waste of money, particularly for occasions like Christmas, as it takes away the holiday’s true meaning. People spend so much on a celebration just to have a “superficial” understanding of the occasion. For an engaging argumentative essay, write about whether you think these sorts of celebrations are wasteful. Be sure to include perspectives from both sides of the argument, and have a strong rebuttal to the opposing viewpoint

Celebrations reflect one’s culture and heritage, familial, regional, religious, or national. Are festivities and celebrations essential to keeping a culture alive, or are there other ways to do this? You do not need to have a solid “yes” or “no” argument in your essay; it can be more nuanced as long as it is explained well.

An easy way to write an engaging essay is by reflecting on a celebration you found particularly memorable. Write about the celebration in detail- Who was there? When was it? How did you celebrate? How has it impacted you today? From a childhood Christmas to a loved one’s funeral, this essay has many possibilities. 

Check out our guide packed full of transition words for essays .

ProWritingAid is one of our top grammar checkers. Find out why in this ProWritingAid review .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Paragraph on How I Celebrated My Birthday | A Different Experience For Me

Paragraph on How I Celebrated My Birthday – As humans, we have different personalities and preferences, which is why we celebrate our special days in different ways.

Write a Paragraph in about 100-150 words on the following topic:-

Ans:                                         WHEN I CELEBRATED MY BIRTHDAY

Last month, I celebrated my 16th birthday. It was celebrated with pomp and show. The big drawing-room in our house was decorated beautifully. My father had invited all his close friends. I had invited all my class-fellows. Many families from our colony were invited. The birthday cake was big and beautifully made. Sixteen candles were put on it. These candles showed that it was my sixteenth birthday. I touched the feet of my parents and received their blessings. Then I blew out the sixteen candles one by one. All the guests shouted with joy, “Happy Birthday to you.” Then I cut the birthday cake and distributed its small pieces among the guests. I got beautiful presents from my near and dear ones. My father had arranged an orchestra on this occasion. It presented a very good programme of music. In the end, the guests were served dinner. I will never forget my sixteenth birthday.

Download the above Paragraph in PDF (Printable)

Paragraph on how i celebrated my birthday.

As soon as my birthday is about to come I start planning a week before. This year also I started planning. I decided to stay in and have a relaxing day. I woke up early and prepared all boxes of toffees to be taken to school. Later that afternoon, I celebrated my birthday with my family and friends. There was dance, cake cutting and games. We watched some movies and ate pizza together. It was really nice spending time with them. Towards the end of the night, we all went out for ice cream. It was a really fun way to end my birthday!

How I Celebrated My Birthday- 100 Words

When I turned 16, I thought it would be a good idea to celebrate by going out with my friends and enjoying myself. But what I didn’t account for was my birthday falling on a weekend and so all of my friends were unavailable.  So instead of having a fun night out, I ended up staying in and watching Netflix all day. Although it wasn’t the best birthday experience, at least I got to spend it alone. And that’s okay; sometimes you just need some time alone to recharge and reflect on your life. So if you’re feeling down on your birthdays, remember that everyone experiences them differently and that there are plenty of other ways to celebrate without involving other people.

Paragraph on How I Celebrated My Birthday- 150 Words

On May 15, I turned to be of 13 years. I celebrated my birthday by going out with my friends and family. I really enjoyed spending time with them all and celebrating with them. I had a really fun birthday celebration! We started the day by going to my favorite coffee shop and getting breakfast. We also went to a local pizza place and had a great time. Afterwards, we walked around the neighborhood and caught some other fun filled activities at a local restaurant. My friends had already arranged cake there. Cutting of cake and sharing with all was a great part of my birthday. I also ate way too much cake and had so much fun with my friends! It was such a fun day and I am so grateful for all the love and support that was shown to me. We ended the day with some ice cream at my friend’s house. It was a great way to spend my birthday. I wish that every year should come in the same way. 

10 Lines on My Birthday Party

• Celebrating birthday is like a festival for me. 
• I always celebrate my birthday with a fun games and dance. 
• I always plan all the fun activities a week before my birthday. 
• On birthday my full day is full of different activities. 
• My friends and parents make my birthday memorable by gifts.
• Special moments like return gifts and awards make my birthday celebration unique.
• I invite some of my old friends for a fantastic birthday party. 
• My parents always book a nearby restaurant for my birthday party.
• On my birthday I take some time to relax and enjoy 
• I Enjoy your day to the fullest!

Paragraph Writing on How I Celebrated My Birthday- 250 Words

I want to share with you some of the details of my birthday celebration. I had a really fun day this year. I had a really fun birthday celebration! My friends came over we started out by going to  the park. It was so warm and sunny and we just had a lot of fun running around and playing tag. We also ate some chocolate, toffees, pizza and played games, at the park and then went home for some ice cream. After that, my friends and I went to a nearby arcade to play some further games. It was so much fun!  It was great to get together with them and just have a good time. I celebrated further time on my birthday in a very special way. I invited all of my friends and family to come over to my house for a big party in the evening. We had a lot of fun cooking, eating, and playing games at home also. Then it was time for cake cutting and my friends offered my several Gifts. My parents came over and we had a delicious dinner. After dinner, we all went out for ice cream. It was so much fun getting to spend time with them. Later that night, my friends and I took a walk around the neighborhood. It was so nice to just enjoy each other’s company. Finally, on my birthday, I got to sleep in! Overall, it was such a fun day and I’m grateful for all of the special moments that were included. It was such a fun experience getting gifts from everyone I love. I loved every minute of it!

  Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Long Essay on My Birthday Celebration- 1000 Words

This year was a bit different than most. For one, I turned 26 which, considering that I’m now an adult, felt like an eternity ago. And secondly, I celebrated my birthday in a unique way – by traveling to five countries over the course of 10 days. While it was undoubtedly an adventure and a new experience for me, it wasn’t the only thing that made my birthday special. In fact, there was something else that happened that day that I’ll never forget. I met someone special. Now before you start thinking that this person is just some random stranger I met on my trip, let me explain a little bit more. We met while I was in Morocco and he ended up staying with me for pretty much the entire trip. We shared meals and conversations, laughed together and even got a little romantic in some of the quieter moments. Needless to say, it was an unforgettable experience and something that I’ll never forget. So what does all of this have to do with writing? Well, as cliché as it sounds, writing is ultimately about storytelling. And what better way to celebrate my 26th birthday than by sharing my story with you?

I started Planning My Birthday Party a Week in Advance

My birthday is just around the corner, and I have been planning it for weeks in advance! I decided on a unique theme for my party, and I am so excited to pull everything off. My friends and family are all going to have a blast! Here’s what my party will look like: I decided to have a “Birthday Bash” theme for my party. This means that there will be lots of fun decorations, games, and surprises waiting for everyone who attends! To start things off, I hired a clown to come entertain the kids while we eat our picnic lunch. After lunch, everyone is going to get into their respective party costumes and head over to one of the attainment rooms (the other one being reserved as a photo zone!). There, they’ll be able to enjoy some fun games such as “Pin The Tail On The Donkey” or “Ring Around The Rosie”. Once everyone has had enough fun playing games, it’s time for the big surprise! Every guest will receive an invitation card with instructions on how they can join in on the special birthday performance by my favorite singer (whose identity I am keeping secret until showtime!). Everyone who participates will make me very happy (especially if they can perform a unique or hilarious song)! After the performance is complete, everyone will gather back in the main room for cake and presents. It’s going to be an amazing day full of surprises!

I Invited all of My Close Friends and Family Members

For my birthday, I invited all of my close friends and family members. We had a BBQ at a 5 star hotel and it was so much fun. I’m grateful for all the amazing people in my life.

I Arranged for a DJ to Play Music Throughout the Party

To celebrate my birthday, I asked a DJ to play music throughout the party. This was a great way to keep everyone entertained and happy! It was also great for keeping the party going all night long. The DJ made sure to play all of my favorite songs, which made the experience even more enjoyable. I would definitely recommend hiring a DJ for your next party!

I Picked out the Perfect Birthday Cake

I spent my birthday weekend in New York City with my family. On Saturday morning, we took a walk around Central Park and had brunch at a restaurant in the park. After, we went to the top of the observation deck at Rockefeller Center to take some pictures, and then headed down to Times Square for some shopping. We ended up getting dinner at a pizza place near our hotel before coming back home. On Sunday, we woke up early and took a taxi over to the Brooklyn Museum where I saw an exhibit of African art. Afterwards, my parents took us all out for breakfast at a small diner down the street from our hotel. We walked around Flatbush Avenue for awhile before heading back to our room and watching some TV. That night, I got ready for my party at my friend’s apartment in Chelsea. It was really fun catching up with everyone there and playing games like Truth or Dare. Afterward, we all went out for dinner at a Mexican restaurant nearby. My friend gave me a really nice birthday present – an airline ticket to go visit her in Chile next month! Overall, it was a great weekend – I loved spending time with my family and friends, experiencing different parts of New York City, and eating delicious food!

I served Snacks and Drinks Throughout the Night

I served snacks and drinks throughout the night, in addition to providing decorations and a special cake. I had my parents come over and we all had a great time. It was really fun to get together with them and celebrate my birthday.

I Hung Out with My Friends

I had the best birthday party ever! I was with my friends and we had a blast. We ate pizza and ice cream, played games, and danced all night. It was so much fun. I can’t wait to do it again next year.

I Got a Lot of Gifts

I celebrated my birthday with a lot of family and friends. I got a lot of gifts, but the best gift was spending time with them. We ate cake and laughed until it hurt. It was the best birthday ever!

I Enjoyed Myself

I enjoyed myself by going out with my friends for dinner, then going to a movie. I also baked some cake and had a few drinks with my family. Overall, it was a great birthday and I’m glad that I celebrated it the way that I did.

Thanks for reading my essay on how I celebrated my birthday! It was a lot of fun and I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading about it. To start, we hosted a small get-together with some of my closest friends. We had burgers and fries (of course) and played games together until the late hours of the night. After eating all that junk food, we went out for ice cream cake at a local joint. It was all very nostalgic and fun – I can’t wait to do it again next year!

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Essay On ‘My Birthday’ For Classes 1, 2 & 3

Key Points To Remember When Writing an Essay on ‘My Birthday’ for Classes 1, 2 and 3

10 lines on ‘my birthday party’ for class 1 kids, short paragraph on ‘my birthday party’, long paragraph on my birthday party for kids, what will your 1st, 2nd or 3rd grader learn from ‘my birthday party’ essay.

Birthdays are the most special day of the year for children. It is a day full of celebrations where children enjoy many fun activities, party with their friends and family, receive a lot of gifts and of course… make a wish as they blow the candle on their special birthday cake! These are all fun, and memorable moments, which children will remember for a long time. So, while writing an essay on this topic, they will indeed have a lot of ideas. With a little bit of help in putting together these ideas, you can guide your child to compose a good essay. Here are tips on how to write an essay on ‘My Birthday’ for students of classes 1, 2 and 3:

• When writing essays about birthday parties in a few lines, stick to simple facts about your birthday and celebrations.
• Avoid elaborating on any point and state only its gist in one line.
• When writing it in a small paragraph, start by describing why your birthday means so much to you.
• Talk about your birthday and the celebrations you have planned.
• It can help if you add points about how you feel about various events that happen throughout the day.

Children of lower primary classes find it easiest to write an essay in 10 simple lines. After that, they can start learning how to write a more detailed paragraph. Here are 10 lines on ‘My Birthday’:

• My birthday is on January 20. I celebrate it every year with my friends and family.
• We invite my cousins, relatives, and friends home for a party on my birthday.
• My parents always bring the best cake for my birthday.
• Everybody gathers around me to sing the happy birthday song in the evening as I cut the cake.
• After cutting the cake, everybody will enjoy a great treat with delicious food.
• We play games after snack time. Birthday games are always fun to play. 
• My second-most favourite part of my birthday is getting lots of presents from my friends and cousins.
• I eagerly wait for the end of the party to unwrap my gifts.
• Every year my birthday gets better as I become older and make more friends.
• I can’t wait for my next birthday and all the fun.

When writing a short essay on ‘My Birthday’, it is essential to have your points well thought out. Decide on how to start and touch upon things with minimal detail. Here is how to write this short essay in about 150 words:

My birthday is the most special day in my life. I love my birthday since my parents give me gifts on that day. I cut a cake and have a party with all my friends. This year I got a bicycle for my birthday, and it is the best gift I have received so far! My birthday celebration starts bright and early in the day. I wake up early get ready for school in special clothes for my birthday. We are allowed to skip uniforms on this day. 

The birthday celebration in school is fun. My classmates sing ‘happy birthday’ for me in the morning, and I get to distribute chocolates to everyone. I always carry a few more chocolates and give all my best friends one extra.

The real party starts at home in the evening, and all my closest friends are invited. My family and neighbours also join in the celebration, and we all have a great evening.

Long-form essays are a bit tricky to write for all kids. They need to have a mental picture of the details they need to include and weave a good narrative. Here is a sample of a long essay on ‘My Birthday’:

My birthday is the most awaited event of the year for me. It is the day when I am treated extra special and get a free pass for everything! I always have my birthdays planned out. If it is a school day, I have to attend as usual but after school, I have a party planned in the evening with friends and neighbours. If it is a day off from school, my parents usually take me out during the day. We go to my favourite place and have fun. Then, we go back home and have more fun at the party in the evening.

My parents always plan for my birthdays beforehand, so that everything goes smoothly. On my birthday, I get to decide what clothes to wear, select the cake, plan party games and decide other such details almost a week before my birthday so everything is ready just in time. My parents always get me the cake of my choice, and it is a new design every year. This year it was the Avengers, my favourite superheroes. I always invite my friends from school and the neighbourhood to my birthday party so that we can enjoy ourselves together.

If my birthday falls on a school day, I wear special clothes to school for the day because we are allowed to skip our uniform that day. I carry two bags of chocolates to share with all my classmates. Birthdays are always fun because the teachers and classmates treat me extra special. I like distributing chocolates to everyone in my class, and always give one extra to all my friends.

At home, we have the party planned out for the evening. By the time I return from school, my mother decorates the house and has the place all set for the party. All my friends arrive in the evening, and we cut the cake soon after. My mother makes delicious snacks for all of us, which we lap up happily. We also play many games and have the most fun time. In the end, it is time to open the presents. I start unwrapping all my gifts as soon as everyone leaves. This is my favourite part of the entire day, as I always have to wait to see what I might receive in every new box!

The essay on ‘My Birthday’ teaches your child to write about their experiences and thoughts in simple English. Although children have ideas about what they want to write in the essay, they may not always be able to put it into words. With these samples, they will get some ideas about how to word their thoughts and write a good essay.

Some children may also want to write about their plans for their birthday coming up soon. They may have many ideas and thoughts about how they would like to celebrate their day. Writing this essay will help them think about how to plan a day and will encourage them to write from their imagination. 

This topic also encourages children to appreciate all the special ways in which their birthday is celebrated, and be grateful to all the people who help make it fun and memorable.

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30+ Epic Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday & Have a Memorable Day

Last Updated: May 15, 2024 Fact Checked

• Birthday Celebration Ideas
• Planning a Celebration
• Throwing a Birthday Party

Enjoying Your Birthday

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA . Dev Murphy is a wikiHow Staff Writer with experience working as a teacher, ghostwriter, copyeditor, and illustrator. She loves writing how-to articles because she loves learning new things and because she believes knowledge should be free and accessible to the world. Dev's creative writing and visual art have been featured in many venues online and in print. When she is not writing for wikiHow, she is drawing pictures, making perfume, or writing hybrid poems. Dev earned her MA in English Literature from Ohio University in 2017. She lives in Pittsburgh with her cat, Nick. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 198,630 times. Learn more...

Birthdays: we all have them, and we all want them to be special. You can’t go wrong with a classic birthday party, but if you want to spice things up a bit this year, we’ve got you covered with a list of unique and exciting ways to celebrate your big day, from going to a concert to having a picnic in the park. Keep reading for tips to make the most of your special day below!

Birthday Ideas At a Glance

• See a play, concert, musical, or comedy show.
• Have a picnic or make reservations at a restaurant.
• Visit an escape room, hit up the arcade, or go bowling.
• Go the traditional route and throw yourself a birthday party.
• Get a makeover or have a relaxing spa day.

What to Do on Your Birthday

• Make the outing really special by stopping for drinks or dinner beforehand, or grabbing dessert (did someone say birthday cake?) at your favorite restaurant afterward.

• For a more festive feel, bring cake, balloons, and a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner (or not-so-subtly hint to your friends to do it) and turn your picnic into your own magical outdoor birthday party.
• You could always make reservations for a big party if you want, but don’t worry about bringing as many people as possible! It may be easier to get a reservation for a small group of close friends.
• 4 Take a scenic hike. Did you know spending time in nature is good for your mental health? [1] X Trustworthy Source Mind U.K.-based mental health charity focused on providing advice and resources to anyone facing mental health problems. Go to source Enjoy a peaceful stroll through nature and breathe in the fresh air. Plus, you can always bring a picnic and find a spot with a view to stop and eat. Invite friends to take in the sights with you or take a quiet hike by yourself if you prefer.

• There are escape rooms centered on all kinds of themes, from ancient Egypt to Harry Potter. See what cool escape rooms there are in your area, or make an adventure of it and road trip to your room of choice!
• Make sure you set out some snacks and drinks if you plan to play games for a while!

• Some places may even give you free shots if you tell them it’s your birthday. Picklebacks all around!

• From facials to cucumber water to mud baths to much-needed massages, a spa day is a great way to show yourself some self-love!
• Buying spa products can get expensive quickly, but asking everyone to bring their favorite lotions, masks, and nail polishes is a great way to save money and make your guests feel more involved.
• 10 Get lost in a bookstore. Are you a total bookworm? If so, there’s no better place to spend your special day than a bookstore. Hit up a local bookstore or check out a bigger chain bookstore, and find a few new reads for yourself! Plus, you can always bring a couple of friends, grab some coffee or tea, and chat about the books you find.
• 11 Play games at an arcade. Arcades aren’t just for kids! It’s never too late to head over to your local arcade with some friends and spend a few hours playing games—and winning prizes, of course. So, go ahead and indulge your inner child with everything from Pinball to Mario Kart!
• 12 Go bowling. Round up a group of friends and head over to a bowling alley for a few games and see who can knock down the most pins! Bowling is super chill and easy to do, yet lots of fun—and since most bowling alleys have food and snacks, you can also grab a bite to eat there.
• 13 Visit an amusement park. There’s no shortage of things to do at an amusement park, from thrilling rides to games, treats, and gift shops. You could easily spend your entire day getting lost there with a couple of besties, and you never know—you might even get special treatment there if it’s your birthday!
• 14 See a comedy show. Check to see if there’s an improv or comedy show in your area and snag tickets. There’s nothing like a healthy dose of laughter to make a birthday feel extra joyful, after all. You could even join an open mic night and try a comedy routine of your own!
• 15 Go camping. If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, why not plan a camping trip? Find a local campground where you can lay out a few tents, light a campfire, make s’mores, and tell some stories with a group of friends. Try bringing some games to play, too, to add in some extra fun.
• If thrifting isn’t for you, you could also go on a regular old shopping spree with a few friends and hit up your favorite stores.
• 17 Have an ice cream social. Get a whole bunch of ice cream flavors (including a couple of your absolute favorites) and some toppings—like sprinkles, chocolate syrup, cookies, marshmallows, cherries, or whipped cream. Then throw a party where you and your guests make your dream sundaes together!
• This is especially great if you’re already planning on adopting a pet. You might just meet your new best friend at a cafe with adoptable dogs or cats!
• Rope a friend or your significant other into taking the class with you! That way, you’ll have an activity to share—and something special to do with one another regularly.
• 20 Get a makeover. It’s a new year for you, so try a new look! Treat yourself to a new hairdo, a wardrobe update, some new makeup—or all of the above. Visit a salon or beauty counter for hair and makeup, and find a few pieces of clothing to add to your wardrobe at either your favorite store or one you’ve been wanting to check out.
• 21 Have a pajama party. Who says pajama parties are for kids alone? You can do this with friends, a partner, or even your whole family if you have a partner and kids! Hang out in your favorite comfy pair of pajamas, eat snacks, and binge-watch your favorite TV shows to make your birthday chill and tons of fun.
• 22 Do some karaoke. Rent a private room at a karaoke place for you and your friends, or head over to a karaoke bar where you can mingle and sing along with total strangers—whatever makes you more comfortable! Belt out your favorite songs, have a few drinks, and stay out a little too late to celebrate your special day.
• If you have the funds, you could even rent out a movie theater for your birthday and have your party there!
• 24 Plan a trip to visit a friend. Give yourself the gift of quality time with someone you really love, whether that’s a close friend who lives farther away or a family member. Make plans to take a road trip, train ride, or plane and go see them for a few days. It’s a surefire way to make your birthday super memorable!
• 25 Book a room at a hotel. You don’t have to go far; staycations can be tons of fun because they feel like vacations without you actually having to travel! Rent a hotel room for your birthday and spend the night enjoying the hotel amenities and ordering room service. Try bringing someone with you, too, whether you end up sharing a room with your partner or bestie. [6] X Research source
• AMC will give you a large popcorn when you buy a movie ticket on your birthday if you’re an AMC stubs member .
• Baskin Robbins offers a free scoop of ice cream when you join their Birthday Club .
• BJ’s Brewhouse will give you a free pizookie for your birthday if you’re a Rewards Member .
• Cheesecake Factory will give you a free slice of cheesecake if you’re a member of Cheesecake Rewards .
• Coldstone Creamery offers a buy one, get one creation free for Club members .
• Olive Garden offers a free dessert so long as you get a meal there for your birthday, no signup required!
• Starbucks will give you a free drink or food item if you’re a Starbucks Rewards member .

• 28 Throw yourself a birthday bash. Take matters into your own hands and plan a spectacular birthday party so you can host your friends, put out food, play some music, catch up with everyone, and above all, have a very happy birthday. For advice on planning and throwing your birthday party, check out our guide below!
• 29 Write a letter to your future self. Try starting a simple tradition of writing a letter to yourself reflecting on the past year and your goals for the year ahead. It doesn’t have to be perfect or super deep; just share your thoughts as best you can and give yourself something special to look back on when you reopen it on your next birthday.

• Sleep in. Have a big breakfast and relax.
• Cook a favorite meal, or watch those rental movies you haven’t had the time for.
• Invite friends or family over for a casual hang, or enjoy the alone time!

How to Plan a Birthday Celebration

• Not only will picking something from your bucket list guarantee the day will be memorable, but checking an item off your list will also help you feel successful and more accomplished! And why shouldn’t it? You’re getting things done!

• Consider activities you can do without leaving your hometown or spending less than $100. [8] X Research source
• Create a total budget for everything—and we mean everything . For instance, if you’re planning a party, you’ll need to make a list of all the different vendors that you're going to need to hire: venue, caterer, florist, musicians, etc., and then make a budget for each particular category.

• Give yourself permission to go all out if it’s a big year, but still keep to a budget.
• There are lots of helpful resources out there to make it easier (and cheaper) to take that trip around the world you’ve always dreamed of—for instance, if you want to travel on a budget, consider going out of season for cheaper flights and lodging (even if it means putting off your trip until your birthday is over).

How to Throw a Birthday Party

• It might be fun to choose a theme for your party, whether that theme is 70s glam, the nifty 50s, English high tea, or based on pop culture—like one of your favorite movies or TV shows.
• Decide what you’ll serve. Are you having a full dinner or just drinks and appetizers? Think of who’s coming and consider what they might like. Are your guests more carnivores? Vegetarians? If you know your guests’ preferences, use that knowledge.
• Consider the climate when planning your party . If it’s cold, warm dips and hot bread can be a relatively simple path. If your birthday falls in the warmer months (or if you live in a hotter region) cool drinks, fruits, and cold dips are great.
• Consider your guests’ enjoyment, but don’t overthink it: just plan a party that you would want to attend, and good times will be had by all.

• If you want to lift even more of the burden, don’t have the party at your house: have it at someone else’s house, an event space, or even a hotel room or Airbnb.

• Potlucks are a great way to make your friends a part of the cooking. Ask everyone to bring a dish, or create a signup sheet with an online invite service for coordination of dishes.
• Know anyone who is known amongst friends for a special dish or dessert they make? Ask them if they would like to make it for your birthday: they’ll feel appreciated, and so will you!

• When things don’t go exactly as you planned, go with it—it’s your birthday, and, well, you can cry if you want to, but there’s really no need. Everyone will have a good time if the host or guest of honor is relaxed and enjoying themselves, so that’s all you need to worry about.
• Things not going according to plan often makes for a great story. So if the dog gets in your cake or your BFF gets drunk and dances on the table singing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” roll with it (and take pics).

• Pamper yourself also: sleep late, wear your favorite outfit, get some quality spa or massage time, or have a luxurious bath followed by chocolates.

• If possible, get your birthday (or the day after if you’re planning on being up late) off from work. Take the day and enjoy it.

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• ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/
• ↑ https://bucketlistjourney.net/things-to-do-on-your-birthday/
• ↑ https://www.thebash.com/articles/adult-birthday-party-ideas
• ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a40717930/things-to-do-on-your-birthday/
• ↑ https://www.favoritefamilies.com/7-simple-fun-ways-to-celebrate-your-birthday-as-a-grown-up/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-practice/201207/how-write-bucket-list

About This Article

To celebrate your birthday, start by deciding where you want to go or what you want to do, since your birthday should be a day that’s all about you. For example, you may want to go to a movie or play, or have a picnic with some friends. Alternatively, pick something from your bucket list, like eating at a particular restaurant or visiting a special place. You can also throw yourself a birthday party, such as a backyard barbecue or a potluck dinner, where guests can bring food, drinks, or supplies for the party instead of gifts. For more tips, including how to celebrate milestone birthdays like your 21st or 30th, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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In a Secret Manhattan Garden, a Birthday Party for Katharine Hepburn

Every year, a small band of New Yorkers gathers in a tucked-away Midtown park to celebrate the actress, a beloved neighbor they remember as an everyday city dweller.

Sabrina Seidner showed off her Hepburn pin. Credit... Dolly Faibyshev for The New York Times

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By Alex Vadukul

• May 15, 2024

Nearly every spring for over two decades now, a tender ritual has taken place in a leafy plaza in the Turtle Bay area of Midtown Manhattan.

It is the Katharine Hepburn Garden Party, a posthumous birthday celebration for the four-time Academy Award-winning actress, who was a beloved member of the neighborhood until she died in 2003. The gathering is held at the garden named after Hepburn that is nestled within Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, and last weekend, dozens of loyal elderly local residents came out to toast her 117th year.

A sign bearing a portrait of Hepburn that welcomed guests to the party read: “Celebrate Kate’s Birthday. Cake, Coffee and Live Music!” The flier pinned to a community board noted: “Put on your dancing shoes. Wear your spring hat.”

Hepburn’s old neighbors sat in rows of folding chairs while they tapped their feet to a jazz band that played tunes like “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Cheek to Cheek.” Volunteers from the Turtle Bay Association and Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza handed out Katharine Hepburn pins and slices of cake. Nearby, an informational sign included factoids about Hepburn’s life, black-and-white photographs of her running errands in the neighborhood and biographical chapter headings like “Tomboy at Heart” and “Tree Hugger.”

Relishing the sunny afternoon’s birthday festivities was Ethel Bendove, 89, a retired accountant.

“I still remember one cold winter day years ago when I saw a woman shoveling snow, and I noticed that she was wearing a lovely pair of boots,” Ms. Bendove said. “Then I realized it was Katharine Hepburn. She said hello to me and then went back to her shoveling. I guess it surprised me to see her doing that, and I never forgot it.”

To the congregants of this birthday gathering, Hepburn was not only a legend of American cinema, she was also an everyday New Yorker, one who took out her trash and shoveled her own snow, just like everyone else. (Well, except that she did so outside a four-story townhouse, anyway.)

For some 60 years, Hepburn’s Manhattan residence was her brownstone at 244 East 49th Street, and when she wasn’t making movies with Spencer Tracy or challenging traditional notions of femininity by wearing turtlenecks and trousers, she was an active member of the Turtle Bay Association.

With the same outspokenness that made her a roguish figure in Hollywood, Hepburn advocated stopping the destruction of trees on her street and the development of skyscrapers in the neighborhood. She also had a green thumb. Growing up, she enjoyed picking bloodroot and lily of the valley from hills along the Connecticut River, and she transplanted her love of nature to the city, planting wildflowers in her townhouse’s backyard .

When Hepburn was 90, the Parks Department dedicated the green space tucked inside Dag Hammarskjold Plaza to her. The small oasis, which was designed by the landscape architect George Vellonakis, is little known to even the savviest New Yorkers, and it has the feel of a secret garden.

Its footpath is lined with steppingstones inscribed with Hepburnisms like “Enemies are so stimulating” and “Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.” A wall displays tablets engraved with scenes from Hepburn classics like “The Philadelphia Story” and “Little Women.” There’s also a bench that once belonged to Hepburn’s country home in Old Saybrook that her estate donated to the garden after her death.

“Once for lunch she invited me and Millie Margiotta of the Turtle Bay Association to her Connecticut home, and after I saw the bench, I told her lawyer we’d love to have it for the garden one day, and he said it was all ours if we wanted it,” Mr. Vellonakis recalled in a phone interview. “After she passed away, the bench accidentally went to auction, and we had to get Lauren Bacall to help us get it back for the garden.”

Last weekend as the birthday party began to bop, several speakers shared their remembrances of Hepburn’s legacy with the crowd.

“Her mother was a suffragette ,” said Anne Hersh , a founder and director of Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. “And she would take Katharine Hepburn when she was just a little girl, and she would be expected to hand out posies to people to ask them to vote, to let women have the vote.”

Sabrina Seidner, a real estate broker who is an alum of Hepburn’s alma mater, Bryn Mawr College , recounted how Hepburn inspired campus traditions like skinny dipping in a fountain after finals, and that she wore pants to the college’s graduation ceremony in 1985.

“It was a special day,” Ms. Seidner said. “And one of the things she said to all of us was, ‘You go out there in the real world, you will get knocked down, but just don’t get knocked up.’”

Mark Levine , the Manhattan Borough president, took a moment to address a topic of concern for some: the green scaffolding currently cutting off a segment of the park, which had been installed in advance of facade work required on a building abutting the garden.

“I’m going to do everything I can to get this down and to get it down as soon as possible,” Mr. Levine said. “We have 4,000 scaffolds up throughout Manhattan. It’s an epidemic.”

The crowd cheered.

As the jazz band, Peter & the Master Keys, resumed swinging, guests continued to reminisce about Hepburn’s life in Turtle Bay .

Meryl Brodsky, an economics policy analyst, recalled Hepburn’s sometimes salty relationship with her neighbor Stephen Sondheim, who died in 2021, and lived in an adjacent townhouse that recently sold for $7 million.

“There’s a story about how Sondheim would grouse about her threatening to call the police on him because he liked composing on his piano in the wee hours of the night,” Ms. Brodsky said. “She hated it.”

Then Ms. Brodsky turned to Ms. Hersh to ask about her favorite Hepburn movie.

“‘The African Queen’ is mine,” she said. “What’s your favorite, Anne?”

“Maybe ‘Adam’s Rib,’” Ms. Hersh replied.

“‘Adam’s Rib’ is so great.”

“Remember when we screened it out here?” Ms. Hersh said. “Everyone was here. That got a big turnout.”

Also enjoying the birthday festivities was Robert Rosenblatt, an entertainment lawyer. His two miniature schnauzers, Uggy and Princess, kept him company.

Mr. Rosenblatt said that he never had the luck of encountering Hepburn in the neighborhood, but that the garden’s existence always let him feel close to her.

“The closest I ever got to meeting Hepburn is sitting on her bench,” he said. “This neighborhood still has her glow and grace to this day, partly because she was so devoted to this community, and I still feel that grace whenever I sit on her bench in the garden.”

Alex Vadukul is a features writer for the Styles section of The Times, specializing in stories about New York City. More about Alex Vadukul

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Opinion: A Shakespeare sonnet in Spanish, for his birthday

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Orozco is a Mexican poet and diplomat. He is the cultural attaché of the Mexican consulate in San Diego and lives in Point Loma. This essay was translated from Spanish by a member of the Editorial Board.

Traditionally, William Shakespeare’s birthday is celebrated in April. April 23, to be exact. It is a good date — like any other — to remember and return to the current legacy of the English poet, who hasn’t abandoned us.

From the penetrating psychological observation of human passions, to his criticism of power and tyranny, passing through the paradises of his lyrics and the joy of his humor, the English poet still resonates with us. His iridescent verse is heard today as clear and alive as yesterday, whether to meditate on death, condemn the corruption of the powerful or celebrate love. The vast world of his creation, a universe that seems to be constantly expanding, is renewed and renews us every time we read it.

And like Miguel de Cervantes, Shakespeare is necessary and essential to us today, in these times when, as German poet Bertolt Brecht would say, we are forced to defend the obvious, such as the right of a people to exist and not be eradicated from the map and from history. Shakespeare and Cervantes demonstrated in their work a lucid commitment to reality and the arduous process of transforming it into beauty, wisdom and human dignity.

I suggest then that we take Shakespeare’s birthday also as an excuse to celebrate the spirit of translation, especially in the space of this multicultural border, where the exchange between Spanish and English is such a common daily reality that it often goes unnoticed. Translation thus represents a first act of diplomacy, understood as a form of humanism in action.

Of the 154 sonnets published in 1609, we take here number 76, in which Shakespeare speaks of his verse and of that which, like love in humans and the sun in nature, is simultaneously old and new. In the game of literary translation I decided to use hendecasyllable verses, the traditional ones of the sonnet in Spanish, for this version.

Why is my verse so barren of new pride, So far from variation or quick change? Why with the time do I not glance aside To new-found methods, and to compounds strange? Why write I still all one, ever the same, And keep invention in a noted weed, That every word doth almost tell my name, Showing their birth, and where they did proceed? O know, sweet love, I always write of you, And you and love are still my argument, So all my best is dressing old words new, Spending again what is already spent: For as the sun is daily new and old, So is my love still telling what is told.

Soneto 76 ¿Por qué carece mi verso de orgullo, de cambio y variación tan alejado? ¿Por qué no sigo el tiempo que vivimos y escribo en el confuso y turbio modo? ¿Por qué he de escribir lo mismo siempre cerrando la creación en una imagen cada verbo mi nombre delatando mostrando su nacimiento y origen? Hacia ti escribo siempre, mi dulce amor, y amor y tú serán siempre mi tema. Solo resta hacer mi palabra nueva, dispendio haciendo de lo ya gastado. Como el sol que es viejo y nuevo cada vez, mi amor relata así su misma historia.

Poetry, the highest level of writing, sharpens our perception to observe and appreciate the world more precisely, to understand it and ourselves a little more. Today, when technology seems to devour every last minute of our lives, poetry opens up an indispensable time within time.

To return to Shakespeare is to rescue the word from the abyss into which politicking and commerce have plunged it and to return to it its full and legitimate powers. Powers that reveal and enchant, that dazzle and stimulate, that make us doubt and leave us perplexed, that elevate consciousness and transform reality.

Thanks to the often secret and unacknowledged work of translators, we can begin the work of understanding each other and from there, understand that, as on this border, we share the same sea, the same sky, the same land and the same word.

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