Birthdays are not nearly as often celebrated in Irilolo Culture as in other cultures. Birthdays are more often skipped unless the individual in question is a very important friend (or someone more than that). Usually a close friend (or someone more) who has lasted a while or the celebrators believe will last a while (usually a few months to a year, or even two or three years, depending on the strength of the bond). Someone you feel a strong connection to. It is usually a mutual feeling.
Instead of the birthday alone being celebrated, it is commonly the day before, the day of, and the day after as well. A three day celebration called a Birthfest. The celebration is often just offering to spend time with the celebrated one, and vlecking for fortune, safety, and calm to come their way. Either in the form of just the two of you, or a very small get-together or two, but not a large party (large parties are very rare). There is a rather large emphasis on simply having the time and the cosiness, rather than making a big deal about how it is done.
Nearly every single workplace gives off of work for all three days, and some give the surrounding two days off as well, giving a five day break. If these days are not available due to some important event, nearby days are given off; all in sequence.
School and university students will either not attend these three days or plan nearby days off, all in sequence, if something very important is happening.
Gifts are quite uncommon, but are possible.
The day of the birthday is often celebrated after death but the two surrounding days (the prebirthday and the postbirthday) are more often, but not always, skipped out on. It could depend on the closeness/bond the two shared. Spouses are likely to continue celebrating all three days, for example.
Phrases in English include: "Happy Prebirthday!" "Happy Birthday!" "Happy Postbirthday!" and "Happy Birthfest!"
Saying "Happy X" to a stranger can be considered insulting since you don't know each other well. A phrase like this is saved for the celebrators. For strangers, "I hope you enjoy your Birthfest" or "I hope you have a nice/lovely/cosy Birthfest" are more common, and only if on topic, or from the workplace when granted the time off. Remembering someone you don't celebrate's Birthfest isn't really done.
