Fun Birthday Gifts

Let's talk gifts — birthdays, holidays or special occasions.

The holidays have passed and, as many readers of this blog already know, my birthday came around (again) last week. 

Gift giving becomes more problematic for several reasons when we reach a certain age, despite being still young at heart (isn't everyone?) 

There's a few reasons, including that gifts are not needed or others find it hard to shop for the right one gift since (a) they don't know what someone wants or needs and (b) he/she may not need anything at all.

Typical American mah jongg set with tiles, racks, and bag

Admittedly, I fall into both of those categories, just ask my husband who, for years, has tried to surprise me with a gift. This year, he thought he had it figured in giving me an American mah jongg set similar to the one shown above as he knows I enjoy playing the game.

Was I surprised? 

Yes, but within 24 hours I asked if it could be returned not because his thoughtfulness wasn't appreciated, it was, but that's not why the request was made.

I've been playing American mah jongg for over a year, initially at the local library and also at the senior center where we're members. Both facilities have multiple game sets, that are free to use for playing. There's no need to own a set, although some people own  their own game  as they play regularly with family or friends when away from either facility. 

That's not true in my case. Patrick has no interest in learning or playing this form of mah jongg. Unfortunately, there's no one I know who lives in our apartment building and plays what is a multi-player game. So my gifted game set would have gone unused, essentially collecting dust. This version of mah jongg (unlike Chinese mah jongg) requires the purchase of an annual game card from the American Mah Jongg League, currently $15.

Instead of the game (which was successfully returned) I told my loving spouse that our road trip and meet up with friends in N Conway would be a great gift. He agreed and my birthday was spent candlepin bowling at Saco Valley Sports Center in Fryeburg ME, later dining on delicious Haddock fish tacos for Taco Tuesday. What made the day special was spending it with Patrick and our friends, Jill and Art.

Us with Friends Jill & Art at candlepin bowling, fish tacos and onion rings

Candlepin bowling dates is a New England-based variation of tenpin bowling that dates to 1880. The 10 bowling pins are narrow (15 3/4-inch tall) and the bowling ball is small and under 3 pounds without finger holes. Unlike regular bowling, players get three balls per frame (not 2), and fallen pins (deadwood) remain on the lane. 

Candlepin bowling lane with 10 pins and ball

The highest sanctioned game score is 245, which was set in1984 and 2011. A perfect 300 game is considered very difficult.

Computerized scoreboard with our names and scores (sigh)

The sports center features 16 candlepin lanes with modern amenities like computerized scoring. As the score sheet above shows, none of us came close to breaking any record.

My birthday outing doesn't mean that no gifts were received. Family and friends gifted me when we returned home to Nashua.

Oriental Lillies and carnation arrangement gifted by a neighbor

A neighbor had delivered this beautiful floral arrangement a couple of days before we left. The Oriental Lillies had not yet opened then, but did when we were gone. A week later, the lillies have all opened and I'm enjoying their wonderful fragrance.

Beware when people know you like something. You will received theme gifts. Some of you may recall the penguin puzzle received as a 2025 Christmas gift from family members. They gleefully continued that theme on my birthday and sent these gifts.

My birthday penguin

This birthday penguin stands less just under 3 inches. However, I didn't take the advice to have any birthday cake and opted for onion rings instead.

Penguin heat-changing mug goes from b&w to colorful outfits

How about a heat-transforming penguin mug to enjoy my tea in daily. When cold, the penguins stand around "chilling" and sport black-and-white formal wear. Pour in a warm beverage and see them change into very colorful outfits. The mug comes with instructions to hand wash only with warm water and soap, no soaking or scouring. It's microwave save, but keep out of the dishwasher. (If you're looking for an unusual gift, the sellers of this mug, The Unemployed Philosophers Guild has other heat-changing mugs and many other items.)

My personal supply of penguin pens

I will never run out of a pen especially one with a penguin design. All thanks to my PA granddaughter, who personally selected this gift according to her mom.

Penguin parking sign will be staying in our apt

If only there was someplace to mount this personal parking sign in the underground parking garage at the mill apartments. Sadly, there isn't so this gift will be parked in our apartment.

Cards for special occasions & holidays are always put on the bookcase

Last, but certainly not least, there were cards from family and friends, including one that traveled across the pond from the UK, thanks Kath and Andrew.

So, everyone, that was how I spent my 2026 birthday and surprises I received — of course, none were "necessary." ALL were appreciated and fun because who doesn't need more of that?