Birthday question:

carlyhammond · January 2016

Ok, I know this is a January moms board- but I was induced and my son was born 12/26 and well I went through my pregnancy with you ladies- and well I feel comfortable with you all.

So, my question:
I know it's super early to be thinking about my sons birthdays but I am not sure how to go about it.
His birthday is obviously the day after Christmas....
How would you or how did/does your family celebrate birthdays that are around Christmas?
I want my son to feel important for his birthday and not have his bithday get lost in Christmas activities.

Thanks

MissMheMhe · January 2016

DH's birthday is 12/11, which isn't as close to Christmas as your LO's but close enough that his mom tried to everything to make it a separate event. She used to let him have a half-birthday celebration over the summer where he could invite several friends over for the day and they would have a birthday party (but without gifts). He loved it for a few years, until he got 'too cool' for parties. We've decided we are going to try the same for our LO (bday is 1/5) when he gets old enough and see how it goes. I am looking forward to celebrating his birthdays with family over the holidays as there will be lots of people around to help welcome each year as he gets older...much better to get love and hugs in person than over the phone

carlyhammond · January 2016

I was actually thinking of a "half birthday" nothing big but like he could get one present from us during the
Summer so he could get a gift other than around Christmas.
And I guess when he gets older we could invite friends over but no presents from them- just a present from us.
Hm, I don't know how to go about it.

jeanbug12 · January 2016

My oldest's birthday is close to Christmas, he is only 5 now, but he loves it! He thinks it is great that there are Christmas lights up and we have the tree up on his birthday. We don't do big friend birthday parties, just celebrate with family and we do that on his birthday. If he ever asked for a birthday party with friends, I would probably do that a couple weeks after his birthday, sometime in January, but still have our family celebration on his birthday.

Ebiejay · January 2016

I'm not so close, 12/18, but aside from the weather being too cold to do as many things and everyone being too busy to come to my party, it wasn't much of an issue. My friend is 12/25 and she hates it, the family has a half Christmas day and a half Birthday.

I think 12/26 is fine, make the 25th about Christmas, and the 26th all about his Birthday. You don't need to remove decorations, but maybe add some Birthday ones, let him have his gifts under the tree if he likes (I used to love doing that), make Birthday food instead of holiday leftovers... the usual. A lot of kids have Birthday parties a couple weeks before or after the actual day anyway so you could still do that when he's old enough to invite his friends. I'm not sure I would do a half birthday, it just doesn't seem to have any real meaning, but maybe it could work for your family if you made it a tradition.

hailees · January 2016

Also a 12/26 momma here. I'm excited about DD's birthday being on that day! I think it'll kind of extend the holiday feeling. It's always a little bummer when Christmas festivities are over, in my mind a 12/26 birthday will be a great way to keep the good times rolling

Plus I think it'll be great since many people are off work on those days, so we will have the opportunity to celebrate as a family. I have people in my life born on 12/24, 12/28, and 12/29, they've never complained, but rather made the most of it!

In terms of making things feel special, I'm hoping to focus less on gifts (though, yes there will be gifts) and more on activities/family traditions (special breakfast/dinner/dessert, praying for her and speaking words of encouragement, special dates with her, decorations, etc). If in the end she feels left out and lacking, it's probably more reflective of a fault of DH and I in our parenting journey.

SummerOH · January 2016

His bday will be special if you make it special. The date doesn't matter. I have two friends with Christmas Eve and Day bdays and they never felt slighted because their families made sure to separate the holiday from their bdays. DD's bday is 12/20 and she hasn't ever felt like she shared it with Christmas (she's 16 now). We do usually have her parties earlier in the month for logistical purposes. DS's bday is 12/14, so close but not as close. December is a just month full of celebrating in our family!

SaguaroBlossmom · January 2016

My birthday is on Christmas, so I have nome input. Always make his birthday a separate event. My parents always did the Christmas stuff in the morning then after dinner it was all about me. We did cake and presents and they made sure to wrap everything in happy birthday paper. There were no combination gifts , it was always Christmas gifts and birthday gifts. My relatives were good about the separation also.
I'm finding that as I get older more and more people forget about my birthday and only remember when they come over for Christmas. But I do have to say it is nice to have everyone around on my birthday

mommap2 · January 2016

My birthday is actually 12/26! My parents have always made a big deal out of my birthday and I loved it. Christmas Presents got tucked under the tree and mom got out the birthday banner, she would have the family over and we would celebrate my day. When I got older I would have my friends party later in January. I think the most important thing is to make it a special day with your son. Really celebrate him.

scornwell717 · January 2016

I didn't know our little ones were born on the same day!

I had already thought about this as well so thanks for posting this. Glad to know I'm not the only one thinking a year in advance

claireloSC · January 2016

My bday is also 12/11. As long as you treat it as a separate event it still feels exciting and special and different from Christmas.

I like having lots of fun stuff to look forward to from Thanksgiving to New Years!

carlyhammond · January 2016

Thanks for all your input and suggestions!
My family has mostly summer birthdays apart from my two sisters birthdays are 1/12 and 12/9.. With my sister who's bday is in December my parents ALWAYS made sure that Christmas decorations were put up after her birthday.. Even still to this day my sister is 30 and married they wait to put up decorations until after her birthday.

I guess I'm concerned with my family wanting to combine his birthday with Christmas. But I guess I'll have to enforce that they are two seperate events and should be treated as such.

As for the half birthday- my mom was saying "poor kid will only get presents once a year" which made me feel bad, (not like it's my fault.. Ok it kind of is lol) so I thought maybe one special gift halfway through the year - obviously he will get toys and such when going to the store big im talking one specaul gift that I wrap (and I suck at wrapping) and give to him so he feels special.

Who knows what I'll do. Obviously I have like a year to figure it all out. Just trying to get juices in my brain flowing on how to approach it.

I'll definately celebrate his birthday and his life. Christmas is such a BIG event that I hope he never feels like his birthday is lost in all the "hype" of it.

Leah6120 · January 2016

My mom and brother are both on Dec 30th. We always did their family birthday party close to Christmas because family was already around and off work, but my brother had a party with his classmates usually a couple of weekends later into January. He always enjoyed spreading the fun out a little bit. I'll admit now that he's an adult we just do family party for them both but they doesn't care anymore.

BarrettJ89 · January 2016

My son was born 12/9. I will say, for his first birthday, it was super overwhelming (especially being so close to my due date with #2). Trying to figure out ways to make sure he got things he needed, not just toys was HARD. We had a small party, in which he came home with a zillion toys. We aren't big party people, but we wanted to have a first birthday party (isn't that like a right of passage for a mom?). From here on out, we probably won't do any yearly parties until he is in school. We will likely get together just us and my parents in the future to celebrate him.

But seriously, who thought it was a good idea to have one kiddo, then Christmas, then another baby all within a month?! Yikes.

carlyhammond · January 2016

I'm actually not a party person..
It al started when my sweet 16 birthday party literally had NO guests besides my family. It was sad.. I cried... Tragic....

I decided when I was pregnant I'm no having a big first birthday party for him, I don't see the point- he won't remember it. I'll have dinner with the family, a cake for him, and I'll do a big photo shoot with a smash cake session. But im not going all out with a first birthday he won't remember.

Call me strange but, I'm not going all out,

I want his birthday to be special- but not surrounded by 100 people he won't even remember was there.

Ebiejay · January 2016

@carlyhammond I've always said 1st Birthdays are for the parents anyway. My nieces and nephews had big parties, but I'm with you... small family dinner and a cake seem like the best option for us. And a couple photos for the scrapbook. Lots of time to decide that though.
I'm so sorry you had such a bad 16th, I'd have been devastated if that had happened to me!

knottie800607d19cf1a819 · March 10

My little one also has a birthday close to Christmas, and I’ve been thinking a lot about making it feel special and separate from the holiday chaos.

One thing that’s worked for us is planning a completely different theme, no red and green, no holiday wrapping paper, just a fun birthday vibe. I also go all out with food, making sure it feels like a true birthday party rather than just another holiday meal. Last year, I did a big spread with homemade cupcakes, a themed cake, and some of my little one’s favorite snacks.

Something else I love doing is ordering personalized water bottles with my baby's name and birthday from https://bottledevents.com/ It’s a small touch, but it makes the party feel even more special and unique.

You’ve got plenty of time to figure out what works best for your family, but I think as long as you make it a separate celebration, your son will always feel like his birthday is just as important as any other! 😊

knottie989b53fbd75805be · June 5

Totally understand where you're coming from, my niece was born on 12/27, and my sister has faced the same challenge every year. It’s tricky making a December birthday feel separate from the holiday whirlwind, but it’s definitely doable with a little planning!

One thing that’s worked really well is setting a firm “birthday zone.” For example, they completely wrap up Christmas decorations by the 25th night, and then the 26th is all about birthday mode, different decorations, birthday wrapping paper (never leftover Christmas ones!), and a whole shift in focus. It really helps kids feel like their day is unique and not just an afterthought.

The half-birthday idea is great too, especially for outdoor parties or when you want to spread out gifts. Some parents even do a small celebration in December with family and then a “friends party” in June. It doesn't have to be over the top, just meaningful.

Also, if you're looking for fun and unique ways to make the celebration extra special (even on a budget), sites like Wowzers Fun have some creative birthday ideas and printable games that can help make the day stand out, whether you’re celebrating in December or doing a summer party.

In the end, the key is just making sure your son feels like his birthday is all about him, no matter when you celebrate.

knottie6f55c2cdcd00affa · June 5

One idea I’ve seen work well is having a small family celebration on the actual birthday, then doing a party with friends in early January when everyone’s less busy.

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