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
Re: Birthday question:
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.
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.
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.
DD 12/20/99, DS 12/14/12, M/C 9/2014, M/C 1/2015
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
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.
But seriously, who thought it was a good idea to have one kiddo, then Christmas, then another baby all within a month?! Yikes.
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.
I'm so sorry you had such a bad 16th, I'd have been devastated if that had happened to me!
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! 😊
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.