Just celebrate

When I was little, there was so much excitement surrounding the celebration of a birthday. Whether mine or someone else's. There were lists to make, colour schemes to choose, games to organise, presents to beg for or give. There was so much that went in to the planning of a good birthday party.

As I grew up, however, I found my attitude towards birthday parties gradually grew up with me. Instead of looking for candles in the shape of my age, today I'd rather not even have a cake on my birthday, let alone have a party of any sort. Who wants to celebrate growing old and still not having a life?

Understandably, not too many of us do. Nevertheless, here is a list of good birthday ideas that will remain good even after you've reached the age of not wanting to celebrate like you used to:

1. Remember, you might not want cake or candles after a certain age, but you will always want presents. So express your wishes once in a while. To generous friends, if possible.

2. Give your parents a hug. Even if it's early morning when they troop into your room with much noise while you're half asleep. It's their day too.

3. If you decide to organise a party in celebration of your birthday, make sure you do it for your own sake, and not for the sake of seeing that cute new guy at work play ducky-ducky quack-quack.

4. That cute new guy at work is likely not to volunteer to play party games especially if the said party games have been meticulously designed to humiliate him and/or have him sit on your lap.

5. Keep your circle close. Call your real friends over. Have a blast being silly in an unplanned, unimpressive kind of way. Some pictures taken on your birthday will make great blackmail material.

6. Being happy, and throwing an expensive party, are two wholly different matters. If the two coincide, great. If not, choose being happy over all else, at least for this one special day.

7. Who cares if you look terrible, it's your birthday.

8. Be polite to people who forget it's your birthday and call you to remind you about that book you borrowed and keep forgetting to return. They mean well.

9. Some people might not wish you a happy birthday, even if they say the words. Remember, happiness has nothing to do with their wishes. It has everything to do with such people not being invited next year.

10. Spend some time talking with your old friends and your family. No matter how many new people come in to your life, there are certain things about you only these people will know. They are precious.

Birthdays are a wonderful thing, whether you celebrate them or not. They are an excuse to be happy. So don't let them slip by like any other day. Let yourself smile.