Q&A for How to Celebrate Your Birthday Alone

Yes! To make the day extra special, buy yourself a gift as way to celebrate your special. This way, you won't feel at the mercy of waiting on others for gifts.

The person who said that to you has either been really disappointed himself about birthdays or simply doesn't care one way or another about being celebrated on his special day. If the thought of not being celebrated makes you sad, then celebrating that special day is important to you, and, therefore, it's important. Don't apologize for that, and don't let yourself be shamed for it. You're worth a party.

Gather up snacks and drinks from around the house and do a movie marathon. Take a break and go to a nearby park to get some fresh air and stretch. Museums and some local attractions are often free. Or you could make it a spa-day at home: pamper yourself and give yourself a makeover.

Make yourself feel good by treating yourself. Baths, indulgence, and maybe some movies. Do what makes you happy.

Do something small for your son. A card, buying chocolates, or just saying "happy birthday" and telling him how much you love him.

You could use paper and crayons to make your own colorful decorations.

Get a bunch of treats, and binge-watch shows. Share your day with a pet, as they can be fun, too.

You would have to express to your parents your desire to do that. They might object, though, as they'd almost certainly want to celebrate with you.

Have a movie marathon or binge watch your favorite series with a lot of snacks!

Well, how DO you feel about it? If you're hurt (understandable), express that, but keep in mind that sometimes the realities of life make having things your way difficult if not impossible, even on your birthday. You might suggest some small way of celebrating on the actual day, if that's really important to you -- even just having a special dessert for dinner, for instance.

Take the day off from work and go for a hike or visit a beach with plenty of food and things to do there. Bird-watching is another great activity for a relaxing, technology-free day.

You can go watch a movie, read a good book, have a special breakfast, relax, enjoy yourself, order some take out, browse the internet and do whatever makes you happy that day.

Just relax and treat yourself to a nice day. Sleep in and watch your favorite show or movie. Read a book, cook or make a cake, just do what you love. Your happiness should depend on you and no one else.

Get out of the house, go to your favorite place, and do something you enjoy. If you have children, plan something with them. Reach out to friends and other family members.

You could just have a day to yourself where you go to the spa, take yourself out to lunch for a healthy meal, etc. You don't need a huge cake to celebrate your birthday; just spend some time making yourself happy!

Remind them! Then invite them to do something to celebrate.

You could bake a cake, play video games, take a bath, or do anything else you enjoy doing in your free time.

You can do both, either by having one party with everyone at once or two separate celebrations.

Go for a long walk to a local park or another community gathering place, like your local library. Exercise, read, or call a friend to come over.

When you are home alone do something that you love. For example, you could watch a movie or read a book. Also, buy the foods that you love and enjoy them.

Just invite a few friends over to hang out. It doesn't have to be a party, you could just watch a movie together, play a board game, etc.

Maybe use your disposable income on a new gadget or a less extravagant, short getaway, and watch your most favorite movies in a comfortable setting. Treat yourself like you deserve something good for making it through another hectic year. That is always a great way to celebrate a birthday.

There are some great tips in wikiHow article Plan a Party on a Budget .

Ask a friend or a family member to take you somewhere to celebrate -- and be sure to take some money with you.

Call your friends, and if you can't meet up, spend some time talking to them on the phone, or texting. If you're home alone, turn on some music, find a cake recipe that you like, and make it! It can be your birthday cake, which you can share with your friends when you see them. Your parents don't have to be the center of it all; it's your birthday, and you should focus on yourself. Do whatever you like to do. Have a spa day, or make some popcorn and watch your favorite movie!

You could bring in a cake or some other kind of treat to share with your coworkers! You could also just focus on things that make you happy throughout the day so you can maintain a positive attitude and have a great birthday.

If your parents aren't planning on giving you a birthday party, or you don't feel like it should be a big deal, maybe ask one friend over to play a game or watch a movie or go to the beach. This will make it seem casual, like it isn't a birthday party, but still be fun. If you mention that it's your birthday, the friend might even go the extra mile and give you a present. If you want to have an even better time, ask your parents if you can bake a cake or something. If even hanging with one friend isn't an option, eat a cake and watch a movie with your family or even by yourself.

You could probably find something fun to do outside of your home. Go on a long walk and think about everything you're grateful for. Buy an expensive birthday cake and eat it alone!

They are only as important as you want them to be. If you'd prefer to spend your birthday just going about your normal activities, that's perfectly fine, too.

Do something different this birthday. Instead of focusing on yourself and your (perfectly legitimate) need for companionship and future hope, why not choose a person or two in your life to encourage and buy or make a "birthday" gift for? Having an outward mindset will give you more of the peace you wish for on your birthday and much more for the rest of the year.