Birthdays

The day we are obliged to celebrate. The day that stresses out ones families and friends. The day that little kids look forward to. The day that 17 year olds simply cannot wait for. The day that elderly people dread and lie about. The day that celebrates the culmination of 52 weeks or 365 days. What day am I talking about you ask? The day is: Birthdays.

What is all the fuss about? This day is one which whether we love birthdays or not, we have all hated at some point in our lives. Society tells us that once a year we should celebrate the date of our birth with family and friends alike. As a young child you live for these days, as its ‘cool’ to be old. With age comes: strength, growth and respect, things we crave as a young child. Not only will you be bigger and stronger but the prezzies you get are the main reason for your unnecessary bursts of excitement. Children aren’t really interested in growing up. All they want is; that remote control car or the latest PlayStation game. The happiness of the birthday is measured by the quality of their gifts and not by the moments that surround it. As we get older our happiness can be measured by somewhat different means.

As a teenager growing up all you want to do is turn 18. Being 18 gives one a false sense of adulthood as we can finally do things we always dreamed of doing as a young kid. We can go to the cool night-clubs. We can drive a car. We can sing “18 till I die”. We can even consume the social lubrication that is alcohol. When you are 17, you count the days down to your 18^th, it becomes the highlight of your adolescent years. The next big birthday after that is 21, but before you get there you have the small matter of turning 19 and 20 to get out the way. These birthdays usually involve a lot of drinking and dancing. We celebrate for the sake of celebrating. Society tells us that birthdays are meant to be celebrated so we immediately tell ourselves: “it’s my birthday, I must get drunk”. As young people we will gather together, booze in hand and party, using our birthday as an excuse for our intoxication.

21 is another big birthday, in the birthday world. When you turn 21 you are now an ‘adult’ according to society. Instead of just gathering the mates up for a standard party, we make this one a little more formal. Although the concept is the same as every other party you attended after your 18^th (get drunk and go crazy), it is somewhat different. Instead of getting drunk and partying with our friends we get drunk and party with our friends and our family.  There will also be speeches involved where people close to you will share stories about you to the rest of the party as we laugh at your expense. After this birthday, the ‘fun factor’ of growing up subsides dramatically. As we move through our twenty’s we are forced to become responsible and face some daunting life choices that we’d prefer not to. This is the time period where we are forced to grow up and embrace adulthood, whether we like it or not.

The thing that makes my brain do summersaults when it comes to birthdays is the concept of presents. I feel that this is the most impersonal concept we indulge in as a society. Why should one receive gift on their birthday? Sure it a celebration but so are a lot of things. I don’t buy my friend a present every time he passes a test that he works hard for. I don’t buy my dad a present when the Springboks win a rugby game. I don’t buy sister a present when she passers her driver’s license. These are all celebratory moments why shouldn’t we set aside a day and celebrate them like we do birthdays? There is nothing more infuriating then trying to find someone a unique and special birthday present.

The whole ‘present thing’ really makes me question birthdays and their true meanings. When we are young children they are days which we look forward to. Presents are a vital necessity. As we get older our interest in thoughtful gifts fades away as we’d rather spend this day throwing up in the toilet of a nightclub. Presents are a bonus but not a necessity. Furthermore as the years surpass birthdays become mundane inconveniences. Presents are appreciated but not really wanted. My point is that birthdays and they hype that surrounds them should be calmed down. We should use these days to celebrate our lives with the people we love. I do realize how cheesy that sounds but it is the truth. I feel that as a society we have become obsessed with the materialistic tangible products that come hand in hand with days like the one I’ve been speaking about. Our happiness is influenced more by the gifts we receive than by the people who buy us those gifts. Sure, birthdays are a day to celebrate, but don’t cry when you don’t get that designer handbag you always wanted, smile and love the person who went to the trouble to get you that ‘not quite as cool’ jersey from Woolworths. On days like these, it truly is the thought that counts.