Share Our Lives: Celebrating My Birthday

This month for Share Our lives we're talking about how we celebrate/spend our birthdays!


I typically have a couple of different ways that I celebrate my birthday each year.
 
My mom and I spend the day (either on or near my actual birthday) shopping and we go out to lunch. It's such a fun day. She always takes my gifts home to wrap and then comes back later usually with some cheesecake or something. It works out well that my birthday falls in the middle of summer since she'll be up here camping each summer plus we hit some really wonderful sales each year. 
 
last year's haul

July 2020 we had a small party on our patio


My favorite birthday tradition is a new one that my husband and I just started several years ago; we now take little day or weekend trips to celebrate our birthdays.  It has been so fun exploring new little towns and areas! So far we visited:

  • Charleston (for a joint celebration the year we both turned 40)
  • York, Maine
  • Cape Cod/ Nantucket
  • Lincoln, New Hampshire ( a few times; staying at different resorts)
  • Edgecomb, Maine
  • Scarborough, Maine

York Maine 2018

In 2020 we went to York and Freeport Maine

In 2023 we went to Kennebunkport, Maine
 

My boys often buy me a gift (either one big gift they all go in on or little gifts they each pick out) and we have a tiny party at our house just the 5 of us; often with Alec making me some homemade croissants and a delicious cake/dessert of some sort. Sometimes this lines up with the night my mom planned to bring over my gifts anyway and we invite her and my step-father to join in. 



I hope you'll join us next month when we all share some unique things about the areas in which we live.

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Comments

  1. Maria RineerMay 12, 2025 at 5:45 AM

    You have some fun traditions for your birthday! How fun to go on a shopping spree- spending time together and getting a little spoiled, too, sounds like a win-win :). Have a great Monday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 12, 2025 at 9:54 AM

      It really is so fun! We've been doing that for years and years. My mother in law was kind enough to babysit all 3 boys when they were little just so my mom and I could get together for the day.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 12, 2025 at 5:55 AM

    I love the tradition of a birthday getaway!
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amy ScottMay 12, 2025 at 6:54 AM

    Those are great traditions! You are lucky to have that timing with your birthday, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM

      I really am! Funny enough both my sisters luck out with fall sales the way their birthdays land.

      Delete
  4. Handmade in IsraelMay 12, 2025 at 8:02 AM

    It sounds like you have some wonderful birthday traditions in your home. You are so very lucky to be able to go out shopping with your mum x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM

      Thank you! I am so lucky to get to do this with my mom each year.

      Delete
  5. Melynda@Scratch Made Food!May 12, 2025 at 8:21 AM

    I love the idea of a day trip in lieu of gifts, such a great way to celebrate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM

      Thank you! I would much rather have the memories... though I do often find a little trinket here or there to buy when we're our trip! LOL

      Delete
  6. Jennifer GoodwinMay 12, 2025 at 8:25 AM

    I love visiting new small towns! I would opt for that anytime over a gift. I've been to Freeport, Portland, and Kennebunk/port, Maine! I'd love to go back someday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM

      I love that whole area so each year we pick another one to explore.

      Delete
  7. Dara @ Not In JerseyMay 12, 2025 at 8:38 AM

    A little birthday trip is a sweet idea.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Adrienne PatenaudeMay 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM

    I love that you spend the day shopping with your mom. Little getaways sound great too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Carol @Comfort Spring StationMay 12, 2025 at 9:25 AM

    I love your birthday traditions not only with your mother but also with your husband. They sound like marvelous ways to celebrate. #MMBC

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kim CarberryMay 12, 2025 at 9:45 AM

    It sounds like you spend your birthday in such a lovely way. Especially with your mom and the trips with your husband. I never realised before but the places that you have visited, we have in England. York, Lincoln and Scarborough. lol
    What a treat to have Alec cooking and baking for you!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne May 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM

      SO many New England towns are the same as those across the pond!

      Delete
  11. TorontoSAMMay 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM

    I love a summer birthday! What a nice tradition with your mom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM

      Thank you! I love having a summer birthday now but always wanted a birthday during the school year as a kid.

      Delete
  12. HollyMay 12, 2025 at 11:06 AM

    Love your new little tradition with your hubby- so special! The time with your mom too is precious :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kari May 12, 2025 at 11:24 AM

    You know how I feel about a birthday! I love the idea of birthday trips!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM

      They are lots of fun! Plus all weekend he's like "it's your birthday you decide"... to any question about where to eat, what to do, etc.

      Delete
  14. Rebecca JoMay 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM

    I love little home birthday gatherings - always the best to spend time with friends & family

    ReplyDelete
  15. JenniferMay 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM

    I love the idea of taking a little trip to celebrate birthdays. Perfect idea! And you've been to a few of my favorite spots!

    ReplyDelete
  16. JoyceMay 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM

    I love the idea of a little trip. Even just an overnight can be special. You've been to some nice spots to celebrate.

    ReplyDelete
  17. MandyJoyLoves♥May 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM

    What a fun new tradition! Traveling some place new, love that!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Tanya May 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM

    That's such a great idea to take a little trip. The last few years we have been on vacation for my birthday, and now I think we need to add a little day trip for Michael's birthday too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nancy May 12, 2025 at 5:17 PM

    I love the idea of going away to celebrate each other's birthdays. Great idea!
    I enjoyed all your pictures. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jo-Anne's RamblingsMay 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM

    Sounds like you have a good birthday, I like the idea of just going away together to celebrate. I feel birthday's are important days in our lives and should be celebrated.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Aletha Oglesby, M.D.May 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM

    My husband and I both celebrate our birthdays by attending a concert, often a performer from our generation, or someone we especially like. That's not in the post I shared, but it does talk about my birthday. Thanks for the link up.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Everyday MaddieMay 12, 2025 at 6:16 PM

    Oh a birthday trip sounds so fun! I am mentioning this to my husband asap😉

    ReplyDelete

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