It’s my birthday next week, and obviously it’s going to be an incredible 41st year because the birthday Gods have seen to it that the occasion falls on a Saturday. An ideal day for a birthday celebration with no worries about having to go to work the next day.

Score!

A close friend with whom I normally see a movie on each of our birthdays – seeing as they normally fall on a socially awkward weekday – sounded thrilled by this development, and sent me a message which read:

That’s great! I’m having an “insert annoying Tupperware-type party name” here that day. Why don’t you come and we can make it your birthday celebration?

I had no words. I was actually lost for words.

Happy...ish birthday. Image: Universal Pictures

What Iwantedto write was, "As if." For the sake of our friendship I considered writing, "Sure, then maybe we can do something else."

Instead, I wrote nothing. Because there is no way I'm going to one of those pressure-selling parties on my birthday, let alone any other day of the year.

Seriously, it has to be hands down the WORST suggestion I've EVER heard for a birthday celebration. But my colleagues atMamamiaassured me I'm not the only one who's been here:

"The prospect of going away for my birthday is my idea of literal torture."Amanda, 23.

"My mum is always like, 'Let's have dinner at home!' And she can't bloody cook. WHY WOULD I WANNA DO THAT?"Michelle, 30

Post continues after this gallery of cake fails.

GALLERY: Wedding cake fails.

"I like to relax on my birthday with a glass of wine and a good book, but m