My 20s have revolved around documenting my “best body years” and birthdays are probably the most socially acceptable excuse for a frivolous photo shoot. But let me tell you something, those things cost an arm and a leg in laygurrs.
In discussion with my colleague this week, he stated that he doesn’t think anyone should do a shoot for their birthday if the sole purpose is to share a drive link for their friends to post pictures, there was also some talk about birthdays being “for women“. I won’t get into that sentiment until I have the right knowledge to engage in a discourse about it.
What does my birthday mean to me?
The answer to that question starts and ends with my babe, Florence (may her soul keep resting). My mum thought every birthday was worth celebrating regardless of the year.
For as far as I can remember, she contracted my dad’s cousin’s wife to bake us the most delectable birthday cakes I ever ate at the time and the year she passed, I got the biggest birthday cake I’ve ever had in my life delivered to my school with some spare cash to get my friends snacks. Needless to say, someone stole that cash and I cried for nearly two hours when I found out.
Anyways, My roommates at the time contributed some of it back and we had a blast! I was 12 when this happened btw so I’ve been about that enjoyment lifestyle for a long time. Moral of the story: I celebrate my birthday every year to keep my mother’s memory alive. This also extended to my siblings once I could afford it.
So what about cake and surprises?
I rarely have a birthday without cake. If Florence could arrange a birthday cake for me in the same year she died, I would honour her memory in the same manner. Sometimes, I buy my own cake (to avoid stories that touch) or I tell my friends I’d like one when they ask what to get me for the day.
This might be why I rarely get surprised at these things or it could be that I prefer receiving gifts of things I like or need and it’s easier to know this if the giver asks me or someone I’m close with for guidance. The thing is, I’ll be surprised when I receive it anyways because I half-assume they won’t get it.
At what cost…?
You’ve read enough about me, let’s see what others have spent in Lagos to celebrate their birthdays. I interviewed my estate members (iykyk) and their responses are below
GC: what’s the highest amount you’ve spent celebrating your birthday, what was it for and what year ?
DB: 200kNaira, we went to the club to pop champagne, eat peppersoup and have a good time. This was 6years ago when money had more value so the fun was to the max.
Dee: 200kNaira, rolled out with my guys and had a fun party at the house in 2020
RF: I don’t spend on my birthday, I’d rather sleep with my phone on DND
DY: 10kNaira and I spent it on food in 2022
LK: I spent 5k on apples for my colleagues last year.
TB: I can't remember probably 100k and above. It went towards food, drinks, cake, logistics, and birthday clothes about 8 years ago.
BM: I do a school drive on my birthdays so I rarely spend, it’s called ‘JL18Drive’. The one time I spent on my birthday, it was probably under 15k and it was for food.
When I started this interview, I expected the men to tell me about a wild bender that ended with their accounts in the red but it appears they’re not about that life.
Shalla to the women for carrying birthdays on their heads like gala in traffic my 21st was so funny, I had a night out on Friday and showed up to my cleaning job hungover and sleepy lol… my colleagues actually covered for my exuberant ass (bless their hearts). No media recommendations for this week, (work has been hella hectic) I’ll tell you how my birthday went next week. Till then…
Stay jiggy,
xx
I have a birthday hack 💃🏼 it will significantly reduce the cost of the birthday “shenanigans” 🤔🤔