Lee Dumler-Montplaisir, 11

What’s your favorite birthday tradition?

“I really like getting to have dinner and dessert with my family.”

What’s the best thing about birthdays?

“I think it’s how people are a little nicer to you [or] it’s about ‘Yay, I survived another year.’”

What’s your favorite present you have ever gotten for your birthday?

“I get Lego sets a lot, but some of my favorites have been the flowers and Harry Potter.”

Nathaniel Stringer, 11

What’s your favorite birthday tradition?

“We usually just go out to dinner, somewhere fancy.”

What’s the best thing about birthdays?

“The cake — I usually get chocolate.”

What’s your favorite present you’ve ever gotten for your birthday?

“Probably my PC — [I got] it three years ago.”

Autumn Ward, 9

What’s your favorite birthday tradition?

“Usually my family and I head out to a restaurant of the person that has the birthdays’ choosing, and we get to choose a meal that my mom makes.”

What’s the best thing about birthdays?

“It’s just getting to celebrate with family and friends. Sometimes it’s the desserts, and other times it’s the presents. It really depends on how old you are and how you feel about birthdays at that time.”

What’s your favorite present you’ve ever gotten for your birthday?

“Any jewelry my parents have gotten me because they really know me, and all the jewelry they’ve gotten me really fits my vibe.”

Kemper Komm, 10

What’s your favorite birthday tradition?

“Going out to my favorite restaurant and eating with my family.”

What’s the best thing about birthdays?

“Spending time with your friends and family.”

What’s your favorite present you’ve ever gotten for your birthday?

“My phone.”

Are birthdays overrated or underrated?

“I’d say underrated. There’s a lot of people who don’t really celebrate much anymore. I don’t know why — maybe [people are] just too busy.”