Returning Players

If you’re a returning player, check /u/Lishtenbird’s chart out to see what’s been added in your absence. Also check the Story Section to see if you're up to date. As a reminder, Living World Season Complete Packs will save you money as opposed to buying individual episodes (In Gem Store, under Accounts -> Living World)

Birthday Gifts - If you’re a returning player, your characters receive a birthday gift in the mail each year after they were created. Here’s a breakdown of gifts:

Birthday boosters - save for times when you'll need it (PvP/WvW reward track bonus, magic find for events, etc)
Any minis can be right-clicked and added to wardrobe. Same thing with mail carrier/victory rock, backpacks, luminous weapons (you can use these in their item forms to have a free-to-apply skin once so you don't use transmutation stones but obviously they'll take up space)
Bag of spirit shards - open 'em
Teleport to friends - save them. You can use them to port a character into expansion/Living World Season areas without spoiling story.
Birthday cards - use 'em right away. Just free karma.
Black lion statuettes - can be traded for a bunch of things that are on gem store. Save them up in your bank.
Guaranteed wardrobe unlock - use 'em right away and pray you get something cool haha
Amulet of Celebration (8th Birthday) - Stat-selectable Ascended Amulet. Make sure you right-click and customize to select stats and no, you cannot change the stats later on. Choose carefully.
Celebratory Birthday Enrichment (8th Birthday) - Goes into any ascended amulet with an enrichment slot. Can be freely removed. Has a fireworks effect when you draw/stow your weapon or enter combat.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - Look up the dye packs to preview what colors you want OR you can do what I do since I suck at fashion wars and pick the most expensive dyes. Check wiki for prices (ex. https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Celebratory_Dye_Pack). Scroll down to the bottom to see the other birthday dye packs (3rd through 8th birthday)