Benefits of a December birthday?

[Biancadelriosback]

It's DS's birthday today (2) and out of the 10 people invited to his party, 5 didn't come. Excuses range from lack of money to need to go Xmas shopping. He obviously didn't know the difference but I'm sad for him and worried about a lifetime of crap birthdays. Can I ask you to tell me the benefits of a December birthday?

My DC was born on Christmas Day. They have expressed being sad that they can't have a day that is just about celebrating their birthday, so we now do a birthday celebration day about a week before that ties in with when we hold their party for friends. Always had a good turn out of friends at their parties so far. We also do a birthday cake on Christmas Day and don't do joint birthday/Christmas presents and have asked family not to as well. I don't know what it will be like for them when they are an adult, hopefully good friends and family will continue making sure their birthday doesn't get overlooked.

My birthday is New Year's Eve.

Positives:

• never had to go to school on my birthday

• as an older child I never went to bed on my birthday because I was allowed to stay up till after midnight, which was fun

• I liked getting all the cash gifts at one time as I sometimes then spent it all on something pretty big rather than having to save and wait.

Negatives:

• as an adult, the feeling that people just want to get the day out of the way so they can go out and party and celebrate something that is not me

My parents were great, I had parties when I was 5, 6, 8 and 11, and my friends did turn up. As an adult I've never had a celebration other than family on my birthday. I did arrange something on the 30th once.

Never had joint birthday/Christmas presents or birthday gift wrapped in Christmas paper. That would have bugged me.

Also a lot of people are vocal about hating NYE, which feels odd. Times like that I wish I had some random day in October or March.

But it could be worse, It could have been Christmas Day or NYD.

Not me, but we have 2 December birthdays and 2 very early January, and the December appear to have the better deal. Yes, parties coincidence and are rather tinselly, but at least people arent partied out and broke.

January 3rd and 6th brings sale gifts (like half price cheese and port) or just a "joint" Christmas present. Not that theres anything wrong with cheese and port per say, its just you havs to eat in over a few days, when youre stuffed anyway.

My birthday was yesterday and I’ve always loved it. I love Christmas anyway, so have never minded sharing. My family have always been great about celebrating with me - even if it’s only going out for a meal. My kids and everyone else know the rules (no joint presents, no Xmas wrapping paper and a birthday cake). I don’t mind at all that friends are often busy I have a great time with the kids and DH. My son also has a December birthday and has never complained.