How do you celebrate your and your loved ones' birthdays?

I have a bad track record with birthdays. With my last boyfriend, I forgot every single year and scheduled something I couldn’t get out of (taking the GREs, teaching obligations, travel). Plus I’m not big on gifts (giving or receiving).

So with my current relationship I am trying to do a better job. I have two decent gifts picked out, and there will be a joint Halloween/birthday/judgment day party a few days after.

But I’m not sure how far my girlfriend obligations extend outside of this. The actual birthday falls on a Sunday, so am I obligated to plan fun events for the day? Pay for dinner? Am I to provide some kind of cake situation? Do I have to make it myself?

Advice is welcome, but I am really interested in hearing how the rest of you celebrate, both for yourself and the people you’re obligated (out of love!) to plan things for.