The birthday is one of life’s biggest celebrations. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the past year, appreciate the blessings that have come our way, and renew our intentions and aspirations for the future. But the birthday can also be a time of self-discovery, reassessing your goals, and figuring out how you want to grow in this next chapter of your life.
When you get to your birthday, it’s important to remember the people that have made a difference in your life. Reach out to old friends, reminisce about happy times, and enjoy the love and affection of those close to you.
If you’re going out with a big group, invite the birthday ring to dinner or brunch at an upscale spot for an unforgettable experience. Whether it’s a fancy meal at Maison Premiere in Williamsburg, or a New Orleans-themed cocktail party at Laissez Faire, you’ll be glad you got to spend some quality time with them on your special day.
Whether you’re a savvy saver and tuck away money with every paycheck, or you’re the type to go on shopping sprees all the time, your birthday is the perfect time to treat yourself. Buy that special something you’ve been eyeing, or even just a nice bottle of perfume or a first edition of your favorite book.
One of the most traditional ways to celebrate a birthday is by gathering a group of friends and celebrating with a cake. The cake is usually a multi-layered confection that symbolizes the celebrant’s age. Traditionally, a song is sung, and the person being celebrated receives presents from their guests.
The term “birthday” came from a calendar system that tracked events and dates. The first documented use of the word was around 3,000 B.C.E, referring to the birth of a Pharaoh. The sand-covered pyramids of Egypt are perhaps the oldest reminder of the importance of marking the passage of time.
While today, the idea of a birthday party is noncontroversial, when it was still relatively new, there were some groups who resisted it. These birthday party poopers believed that the celebrations were self-centered and materialistic, took attention away from God, and turned children into brats. But it’s clear that the birthdate has become an important moment of reflection and celebration for many. After all, a birthday is about the rebirth of the human spirit. It’s the day that we remember that we were born to serve a purpose in this world, and that each year brings us another chance to accomplish our goals and make this a better place to live. What could be more significant than that?