Yearly parties for adults?

krissyh21 · August 2011

Am I out of the loop or is this over kill?

This acquatance I know from work throws himself a birthday party every year. When I first met him he was turning 40 so when I got the invite I was like "cool" - yes I will attend (although I do not really know him well).

Then the next year I got another... umm 41. Okay? Sorry I am busy.

And again this year... 42.

WTF?

And to add his version of "hosting" his own party is by having it at his place and asking everyone to bring a dish and BYOB. So it is not like he is really "hosting" anything.

Ali212 · August 2011

Hmm...I have one friend who used to throw herself a birthday party each year. She was clearly one of those people just really into her birthday and wanted to always have a good time on that day. While that's not me, I thought it was fun and am always up for a fun party! However, I think it's odd to throw yourself a birthday party, invite people over and then make it a BYOB&Food....that's odd (my friend always rented out a bar and had open bar with apps-type food).

mrsolsenk12 · August 2011

I can see big years (21, 30,40,50, etc) but yearly is weird to me.

ETA: I can see having dinner with some friends for your birthday but not a full blown party at your house.

EastCoastBride · August 2011

Eh, I see parties as a great excuse to get out and see my friends. I have one friend who LOVES to have a party every year. He actually hasn't the past couple years - both he and his 2 kids b-days are in a 2 week span of one another at the end of Aug/ beginning of Sept (i.e. now!) and his wife is a teacher. So this is a CRAZY time of year for her and trying to fit in a party for him got to be too much, I think.

But... if done in the right spirit, I have no problem with it.

that being said, it being potluck AND BYOB? Yeah.... that would annoy me and I doubt I would go.

queenbone · August 2011

I don't have a problem with the yearly party, BUT if he isn't actually hosting anything then it sucks and I wouldn't go. One of DH's friends is like that, always throwing parties and telling people "you bring whatever you want to eat and drink, I'll make a really big salad." Another year he made popcorn. Not kidding. I'm fine with pot lucks, but you either hane to provide all the alcohol OR provide all the food and make it BYOB.

The worst part is this guy is a trust fund baby but mooches off of everyone else who works for a living. I gave it a pass when he was in his early 20s, but he's 33 now. He needs to a) grow up and get a job and b) stop throwing parties for himself.

PrincessShay80 · August 2011

I think it's weird. First off I cannot stand any party that is is BYO anything! I think if you are throwing the party it's your responsibility to actually host the party.

I had a big blow out party for DH last year ( he turned 40), like the works, a band, catered, with a full bar and bartender, This year he gets nothing! HAHA! Last year I turned 30 and I didn't want a party, becasue I was in the middle of planning DH's- we went out with some friends- got a VIP table at a club and hung out.

Normally for birthday's (not milestone birthdays) we go out for dinner with friends and family for our birthdays-but no actual party- going out to dinner with our friends isn't anything new- we do that all the time- it's just another reason to go out and have a drink.

My mom, dad and my DH always get me gifts,and I always spoil DH for his birthday- but we don't exchange gifts with friends.

I think it's very strange for an adult to have an actual birthday party every year- I would be too busy to attend this year.

JillRock96 · August 2011

Hmm...I'm big on birthdays, but that even sounds overkill to me. I am all for a family party every year, but I very clear about NO gifts for adult birthdays, and I definitely don't expect people to bring anything. They are going to end up being big from here on out (because our families are huge), but they are mostly just fun, laid-back BBQs with cake -- an excuse to get together once a month or so.

KYRN · August 2011

Is he expecting gifts? If so then it's weird, if not I guess I can see that he just likes an excuse to GTG.

kimberic · August 2011

My SIL does stuff like that. But then she also suggests things for us to buy for her on FB.

charmcitygirl · August 2011

Some people are just really into their birthdays. Or they're really into partying and want an excuse. We have a friend like this and we go every other year or so.

We don't bring a gift for him, but rather something to share at the party like wine or crab dip.