Generally, I think birthdays are shite- who wants to keep a running count of how old you are?- but birthday parties are another thing entirely. Done properly, for one night, everyone around you has to turn their focus to you and only you.

[he gives her a littly twirl.]

Now what's not to love about that? Even if they're only faking it for social propriety, they still came out and celebrated that you were born at all. The people who matter will still be with you the next day, but the ones who don't had to be contrite for an evening, and that's just lovely.