"What do you want for your birthday?"

Started by Juno June 20th, 2019 10:16 AM
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  • 25 replies

Juno

OK I PULL UP

Age 28
Female
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted 5 Days Ago
4,561 posts
9.5 Years
As some of you know, my birthday's today! I'm stuck at work until my birthday dinner, bummed it's not on a weekend but celebrating for the next few days makes up for that (family > coworkers > boyfriend > close friends in that order, from today to Sunday)

And a question I encountered a few times the past week or two was "what do you want for your birthday?"

I always feel a bit weird asking for things when they genuinely want an answer and "nothing" isn't acceptable so I have mixed feelings about that - on one hand I will like what you got for me for sure since I asked for it, but then I also feel bad, like I know you asked me to tell you but I still feel greedy basically saying "I want you to give me this" lol

Is this something you find people asking you around gift-giving seasons, and how do you feel about it? Is it practical? Is it lazy? And on the other side of that, when you are shopping for gifts, would you ask this or just want to have a really clear idea of what the people you're shopping for want, or do you enjoy the process of thinking up gifts on your own?

colours

she/her
gracidea fields
Seen December 30th, 2022
Posted December 29th, 2022
8,974 posts
18.1 Years
I feel like as a kid, my parents/family kind of knew what to get me for my birthday, because it's usually the same every year. I'm a sucker for expensive stuff, particularly video games, electronics and clothes. That has pretty much never changed (and likely never will).

These days though, I've honestly been used to getting nothing for my bday, and I think I'm fine with that, because I'm accustomed to buying my own birthday gifts, anyway. I wouldn't want anyone stressing about what to get me, especially if I've never told them what I've wanted to begin with. All I want are birthday wishes and just general acknowledgement of my existence, lol. It's the bare minimum and I think that, at the very least, can be managed.

Sammi

Age 33
she/her
The States
Seen 23 Hours Ago
Posted November 8th, 2021
14,085 posts
18.3 Years
Every year my mom asks me what I want for Christmas and I just go "uhhhhhhhhhh" until I find a bunch of small things for present ideas. I'm not really picky though. I'm 29, at this point in my life, I'm just grateful they're getting me anything. I always pick out things so minor I don't care if they don't get the exact things on my list.
I get money for my birthday which tbh I vastly prefer.

On the flip side oh god please give me a list for presents because the older I get, the worse I get at present ideas. If you give me a list, I'll give you exactly what you want.

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antemortem

rest after tomorrow

Age 24
he/they
Los Angeles
Seen June 15th, 2022
Posted June 14th, 2022
7,467 posts
11.3 Years
My 21st is in 3 months, and all I want is shots, money, and for someone to buy my lunch and/or dinner. I'm easy as psyduck to please these days.
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polymorphism

いかないで

Age 27
Male
京阪神
Seen June 17th, 2020
Posted November 19th, 2019
274 posts
7.3 Years
The only things I want are skills and experiences neither of which money can buy or if it can (like a trip to Europe for example) I wouldn't expect anyone to buy it for me. Other than those things I only want a cheesecake for my birthday and time to spend with my family and friends.

Sydian

fake your death.

Age 30
they/them
Georgia
Seen May 22nd, 2022
Posted November 29th, 2021
33,354 posts
15.2 Years
my mom still has me make up a birthday list tbh. we have a big family so...i guess she just doesn't want people getting me the same thing. i'm literally a big kid so i still ask for games and stuff. but i have to make a list like two months before bc if i wait for my birth month and my mom is asking for a list, i just shrug and go IUNNO??????? lmfao

mental stability and money usually go on the list since graduating college but hey
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Ivysaur

Grass dinosaur extraordinaire

Age 32
He/him
Madrid, Europe
Seen 2 Days Ago
Posted April 5th, 2023
21,076 posts
16.2 Years
I'm so easy to satisfy, because Nintendo has decided to release every new Pokémon game always one or two weeks before my birthday. Every single year. Since Gold and Silver. So it's like "hey, which game is out this year?" and I'm done.

Also invite me out for lunch and I'll be a very happy bean.

Aslan

she/her
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted 2 Days Ago
3,108 posts
10.2 Years
We always made wish lists (and still do to some extent) for birthdays in our family, and we also do the same in my friend group. It just helps to give a guideline of what to buy. I used to love birthdays when I was younger because I could ask for cool new games / books / toys but now my favourite birthday gifts are actually either the cards or anything homemade in general. These days there is not really anything specific I want. I'm just happy to have people wish me happy birthday. :D

gimmepie

Age 27
Male
Australia
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted 1 Day Ago
Honestly, if you're going to ask me I don't see any reason to feel bad about answering. My standard answer is generally, "you don't have to get me anything but if you really insist just give me money". Maybe it's callous or rude or whatever but I'm a practical person and for the most part I'd rather have the ability to add to savings or keep it tucked away until there's something I really want than to get some token gift. Honestly though, I'm generally just happy with the thought and there's certainly a handful of people who know me well enough to get away with ignoring that request and getting me something else anyway lol... which makes me wonder why they bother asking.
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Cubeth

Hi

Age 23
She / They
Seen 15 Hours Ago
Posted 4 Days Ago
2,722 posts
4.4 Years
Happy late birthday!

I usually don't have anything I desire as a gift, so I think money is the best thing someone could give me so I could buy something later, or just save money to get something good.
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pastelspectre

Memento Mori

Age 25
he/him
The Pacific Northwest
Seen 1 Week Ago
Posted 1 Week Ago
2,156 posts
13.1 Years
nowadays i usually just ask for money, or if the person knows me well enough they get me some sort of surprise gift. i'm not too hard to shop for? i just like a lot of kids things and whatnot.

i usually tell the person they dont have to get me anything but if they want to they can. usually they (mostly internet friends) end up insisting on getting me something of some sort.

Palamon

Silence is Purple.

Age 26
he/him
Snezhnaya, Teyvat.
Online now
Posted 1 Day Ago
7,784 posts
14.3 Years
Money, usually, so I can buy more cosplay/idol nuis/the new Pokemon games, lmfao. I'd rather buy them myself than someone else getting them for me.
Female
Seen September 4th, 2021
Posted July 8th, 2020
82 posts
6.7 Years
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Fairy

she / they
in the flowers
Seen January 27th, 2023
Posted January 6th, 2023
This question makes me visibly cringe. I *hate* being asked what I want for my birthday / holidays. I'm not good at receiving gifts on multiple fronts and would much rather stick to giving them. Though I totally do scoff at people for being sheepish when I ask them and they say 'nothing', haha.

I try to give a default 'Amazon Giftcard' answer but if that's not an option then the buyer knows about as much as I do cause idfk what I want good luck m8
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ZeoStar

Seen 3 Hours Ago
Posted 15 Hours Ago
11,403 posts
5.6 Years
Depending on who asks I'll give a different answer. However I usually don't get much in terms of presents for my birthday. Usually I travel with my family and they take me somewhere nice.

bobandbill

one more time

Male
A cape
Seen 3 Hours Ago
Posted 19 Hours Ago
16,786 posts
15.2 Years
It varies. Sometimes I'll have something specific in mind that I know I'll enjoy or get use out of, other times I'll be content with a decent outing with friends or the like. Also food is good. :V

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Age 26
any
Clan of Fools, Waterdeep
Seen December 14th, 2022
Posted December 14th, 2022
11,033 posts
9.3 Years
This is literally one of the hardest questions in life tbf. My answer these days is: "If you can find something fun/cool/weird and also (somewhat) useful, that's awesome. Otherwise, a board game always works."

Can't have too many board games.
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Miss Wendighost

Satan's Little Princess

Age 23
Female
The Abyss
Seen December 21st, 2020
Posted December 2nd, 2020
709 posts
6.5 Years
I would like Zanthar's Guide to Everything (D&D Book), Fitness Boxing for Switch or a Planner for school.
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Kitty

Equipped the Star Ring.

Any
Space
Seen 19 Hours Ago
Posted 6 Days Ago
1,339 posts
5.2 Years
depends on who asks

Before, i used to say just anything cat related. Though now I'm tempted to just link them to really weird stuff like... Pringles flavored ramen or ramen flavored pringles.

Usually they deliver.
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Emilia

~ free falling

Female
Snowpoint
Seen January 18th, 2022
Posted July 21st, 2021
424 posts
4 Years
My parents usually get me what I want lol
Any other family member usually sends a card with a few dollars or a gift card inside, which is nice. :)
What I want this year.. er.. I don't really know.. maybe a Switch? I doubt it though, family is tight on cash.
Though I have until December to think about it some more.. I'll probably just say the usual; food, cookie cake, spending time with my Nana (who shares the same birthday with me),.. I'll be 21 but like heck I'm drinking. I've heard too many stories about how bad that gets.

Lemonski

Is already coming for your pizza

Female
Funland
Seen November 10th, 2019
Posted August 12th, 2019
328 posts
7.4 Years
Money works very well if I don't have anything specific in mind. Though it's always pleasant to receive something edible too, like sweets!

Use your Ba'noodle on your... ba'loney!

Sami

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Age 26
Male
Some stupid city in The Netherlands
Online now
Posted 1 Week Ago
7,209 posts
4.2 Years
It's been common for my family to just give me money these days

And I don't mind it since I haven't really had anything I really want for a long time now.
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Circuit

Wiring your Circuits

Age 27
Male
Berlin
Seen January 6th, 2021
Posted July 29th, 2020
4,815 posts
15.2 Years
I would like Zanthar's Guide to Everything (D&D Book), Fitness Boxing for Switch or a Planner for school.
Ah a fellow d&d player I see ;)

As for me, I never know, and I couldn't tell you. I generally just like money so I can spend it at my leisure when I find something I do want. Or on bills if need be.