“We always celebrate birthdays, but we don’t overdo it. It’s all about getting together, learning something, making a hachlatah, making a l’chayim, making a shehecheyanu”
I don’t do birthday parties for my kids (except if it’s a special milestone birthday), but I do make sure to give my kids really good presents each birthday. I spend about $100 per kid on their birthday and buy around four or five presents that I know they’ll love, as opposed to one big gift. I also get my parents birthday gifts. For my siblings, it depends — for example, once there was a concert right around my sister’s birthday and I knew she’d love it, so I bought her a ticket, but I don’t usually do that. For friends, I’m happy to take them out.
—Baily W.
I’m not good at this, and barely manage with my kids, though I will make a nice dinner and a cake for their birthdays. I do try for my parents because I realize it means a lot to them at their age. Otherwise, at least I’m consistent; I’m not singling anyone out here! I hope no one judges me, it’s just that life is so busy and it’s hard keeping up with family, though I do wish I was a little better in this area….
My husband and I both have mutually agreed not to get each other birthday presents. But if there’s something I know he wants, I’ll try to get it for him, or I’ll pick up a pastry he likes. I try to always be thoughtful, instead of just doing one big shebang one day a year.
—Yechiel and Shifra Jacobson
I give to my husband and kids, and parents and in-laws, but not siblings and friends. The cost varies depending on age, and if it’s a milestone. I’d say I spend approximately $30 to $50, and maybe about $15 for the younger kids. For my spouse I’ll spend up to $100.
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