I attended a birthday celebration for my good friend who has had three children and was now crossing into the realm of forty years old. She confessed to me that she wasn't thrilled about the party, but she conceded because he husband and kids were so insistent. I knew that her family had made a pretty big error in judgment when I got there and the entire house was full of black balloons and morbid "over 40" decorations.
She put on a good front, but I could tell that she was a little bit crushed by it. Her husband even made her put on a birthday t-shirt that had the same design on it as the balloons. Her and I have been friends since childhood, and I could see that she was really torn up about the whole thing. Instead of consoling her about turning forty, her family basically pointed their fingers and laughed.
My friend is not alone in feeling bad about 40. Most everyone feels weighted down by time and age when that 40th birthday comes. Seeing it as the start of a slow end is very common. Some are disheartened and others become terrified. If someone you know feels this way, then reconsider buying the birthday t-shirts.
What would have been best for my friend in this situation would be tons of love and a quiet dinner with family. She needed love and support because she was feeling as low as she could get. What happened instead is she was forced out into a spotlight and made to do a little dance while wearing a birthday shirt. I could see the humiliation in her eyes all night long.
There are some birthday t-shirts out there that are okay, though. Anything that trivializes or makes fun of the person wearing it should not be bought as a present for anyone. Presents are supposed to make you feel good and remind you of good times. Reminding someone of how bad they feel makes for a terrible gift, wouldn't you agree?
It all boils down to just not being an idiot when you want to get somebody birthday t-shirts. Look to t-shirt designs that inspire happiness and pleasant thoughts. Get your loved one something nice for once and not just something that makes everyone point and laugh. Don't be a bad friend when it comes to buying presents, because it's not your birthday celebration. Don't make the gift something that makes you happy instead of your friend.
She put on a good front, but I could tell that she was a little bit crushed by it. Her husband even made her put on a birthday t-shirt that had the same design on it as the balloons. Her and I have been friends since childhood, and I could see that she was really torn up about the whole thing. Instead of consoling her about turning forty, her family basically pointed their fingers and laughed.
My friend is not alone in feeling bad about 40. Most everyone feels weighted down by time and age when that 40th birthday comes. Seeing it as the start of a slow end is very common. Some are disheartened and others become terrified. If someone you know feels this way, then reconsider buying the birthday t-shirts.
What would have been best for my friend in this situation would be tons of love and a quiet dinner with family. She needed love and support because she was feeling as low as she could get. What happened instead is she was forced out into a spotlight and made to do a little dance while wearing a birthday shirt. I could see the humiliation in her eyes all night long.
There are some birthday t-shirts out there that are okay, though. Anything that trivializes or makes fun of the person wearing it should not be bought as a present for anyone. Presents are supposed to make you feel good and remind you of good times. Reminding someone of how bad they feel makes for a terrible gift, wouldn't you agree?
It all boils down to just not being an idiot when you want to get somebody birthday t-shirts. Look to t-shirt designs that inspire happiness and pleasant thoughts. Get your loved one something nice for once and not just something that makes everyone point and laugh. Don't be a bad friend when it comes to buying presents, because it's not your birthday celebration. Don't make the gift something that makes you happy instead of your friend.
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