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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tell me about your January birthdays?

145 replies

Exceptionallyeccentric · 29/12/2018 17:05

I’ve seen lots of complaining on here recently about people with December birthdays/their dc have December birthdays. And everything that is crap about it.
And I get it.
But Aibu to think January is an even worse time?
Dc2 is due the end of next month.
I had a conversation today with a shop assistant about how much she hates January and what a dreary and miserable time of year it is and it’s got me thinking.

At least a December birthday people are generally happy and jolly.
Everyone seems to hate January, and I get that this is a first world problem, but I feel like this child will be much less likely to get a happy, jolly celebration as everyone will be skint/dieting/freezing. Sad

Dc1 is summer born and always has a lovely celebration.

I’m hormonal and probably overthinking this somewhat.
But if you/your dc has a January birthday how is it for you?

OP posts:
DayManChampionOfTheSun · 29/12/2018 19:57

I am Jan 5th and I love it! It feels like a new beginning every year, total reset!

Not that bothered about gifts etc, people don’t want to do much but then I don’t either really. Didn’t mind as a child as parents would always make a special effort and do great birthday parties so I never felt like I missed out

Unobtainable · 29/12/2018 20:00

Yes, mine is in two weeks’ time. I hate it.

When I was little, I always had joint birthday/christmas present(s) from everyone so half the amount my sister had. Everyone was watching the pennies after Christmas too so no trips or parties either. We used to get really heavy snow in January too so nobody could come to the house and we couldnt go out because of the bad weather. It was dark, cold, misetable and people were tired.

As a teenager, everyone is too broke, tired, hungover, depressed to do anything after xmas/new year. Everywhere is closed and there are only a few hours of daylight.

These days I throw my own party and pay for food and drink and tell people not to buy presents - it works!

Life is unfair so you just have to make the best of it. Please dont do ‘joint’ xmas/birthday presents when your child arrives and I’d suggest paying for parties, including food & transport, and putting a price cap on gifts, otherwise your child will miss out.

starrynight19 · 29/12/2018 20:02

I have both my dd’s birthday in January.
My eldest loves it as she says it keeps that Xmas feeling going.
It’s very expensive but I always make sure they have as much as they would if it was later in the year.
Yes party’s are always inside and we have done many in the snow but everyone has usually made it. Even the year we had to take everything to the social centre via sledge.
I think if anything I over compensate as my dads is also Jan and he said it’s miserable as no one ever wanted to go out.
My girls haven’t known that up to now and they turn 11 and 14 this year.
I also always make a fuss of my dad.
I guess it’s what you make of it. Just be organised with party prep and invites etc.

blackteasplease · 29/12/2018 20:05

DB is the 2nd Jan and I really think it's the worst day of the year for a birthday. No one is up for a party on 2nd Jan.

recklessruby · 29/12/2018 20:06

Mine is the 26th and I love it
Lots of people have been paid and want to go out after the poor bit after Christmas.
It's something to look forward to Smile.
Last year my birthday was mild weather and ds and dd (both March babies) had snow with the beast from the east.

nellieellie · 29/12/2018 20:06

I think if beginning of January then, yes, will be a bit of a Christmas/New Year hangover. Mine is near the end and never seen it as a disadvantage. Before children, used to go on lovely breaks in Lake District with DP. Nearly every year it would be sunny, crisp and beautiful for walking.

OohLookAtThat · 29/12/2018 20:15

Mine is February 13th. Everything is about Valentines and it makes going out for a meal really difficult to book.

Larasshadow · 29/12/2018 20:16

DS has his birthday at the start of Jan, thing we notice is that school friends don't always find their invitations in school bags as they get mixed up with Christmas cards! It's also a huge pain trying to plan for something in the new year whilst trying to be organised for Christmas.

I'm in January too and have memories of getting snowed in and friends not being able to get to my party. The present business never bothered me but then I don't remember ever getting joint Christmas and birthday gifts.

Anise7438 · 29/12/2018 20:17

Early January.

It's awful.

Most people forget and are too skint and don't want to go out. They always say they'll do it later in the year but life gets in the way and it feels stupid holding it after the event?!

Whatjusthappenedthere · 29/12/2018 20:18

January the 2nd must be the worst Birth day of the entire year.

FilthyforFirth · 29/12/2018 20:21

This wont be that helpful...I am born in January and hate it for all the reasons you mention. I am currently TTC no 2 and will stop in April as I dont want to have one in Jan...

However, all is not lost! Just make sure you make a huge fuss of their birthday. You say end of the month, that is better than the rest of the month. They will be back at school so can have parties and people will have been paid to go out when they are older etc. Mine is mid so just bloody awful.

Equimum · 29/12/2018 20:21

I think it depends a bit. DS1 has a birthday tomorrow, and it’s always a bit tricky. It’s difficult to organise a party this soon after Christmas - entertainers taking a break, people away etc. We also find that people tend to forget, so I’ve already had a text from my brother to say he’s only just remembered, and a message SIL to say they didn’t get his present in the post on time.

Mind you, DS2 has a late August birthday, and we find people tend to forget that one too. Family and friends with children tend to forget amidst the holiday hype, and everyone is broke again, thanks to holidays, school uniforms etc.

AnotherExWife · 29/12/2018 20:25

I have an early January birthday. As a child it was great, traditional parties with friends (children always love parties!)) and anything was bought in the sales or regifted I was too young to realise or care. As an adult it's crap as everyone is skint and receiving multiple boots bath sets bought cheaply in the sales is miserable (I know it's the thought that counts but I don't like baths!). I've got a significant birthday coming up and I've decided I'm going to spend it somewhere warm & sunny!

fartfacemcfartfaceface · 29/12/2018 20:27

Mine is 17th Jan. nobody can ever be arsed to do anything, weeks away from December and January pay days so proper skint. My birthdays are always a low key affair!!

fartfacemcfartfaceface · 29/12/2018 20:28

To add, I never have parties. My dh arranged a surprise 30th a few years back and it snowed, so literally 2 people turned up. 🥳

Moretinsel · 29/12/2018 20:30

We’ve got a party for three January weekends, one is my LOs. I like it, something to look forward to after Xmas

whatacarryon2018 · 29/12/2018 20:32

@MakeTeaNotWar I'm
5th as well! Nightmare time for a birthday, I always do something in February. My 21st was on New Year's Eve which was fun but generally nobody comes out!
When I was a little girl, my mum would do my party in August 😂😂

EdtheBear · 29/12/2018 20:34

Me and DC1 are mid Febuary, pain in the bum trying to organise anything as its all Valentine's nights.
Gift wise as a Child i didn't mind it, would use it to get things i wished I'd ask for Christmas. As an adult I found I was getting lots of re-gifts so stopped buying other people. For DC i think about birthday gifts in Dec.

Now I said February was a PITB i can tell you DH & DC2 are just before Christmas. That is 10x worse.
No chance to say can i get x to go with y etc, or exchange toys.

subspace · 29/12/2018 20:40

Yeah I'm mid Jan and it's not great. Friends either too skint to celebrate with me, dieting or doing dry January - as somebody who hardly drinks myself it's shit hearing them whinging about not having a drink and/or trying to get sponsorship at my actual birthday meal table Xmas Angry congratulations, you found a month without alcohol sooo hard, no I'm not paying you for something that's just normal for me and could/would/should be normal for most people; maybe you should consider if you have a problem

I'm cool with my presents coming from the sales because that means my friends spend the same amount or slightly less and I get more, win win!

Kittykat93 · 29/12/2018 20:43

My birthday is New Year's Day. Everyone grumpy tired and hungover. Never have any decent plans except for maybe going out for lunch. I'd love another date !!! Grin

currentcake · 29/12/2018 20:44

There's nothing you can do about it now

currentcake · 29/12/2018 20:48

We have a DD who has a feb birthday, it is what we make it for her

WhatOnEarthDoIDoNow · 29/12/2018 20:52

I get cards from family but no gifts or money and a cake and a happy birthday song but that it because it’s so close to Christmas and everyone is skint but otherwise ignored by them. My friends often get me a card or a token gift. Think my friend is also going to bake me a cake. I also know what she’s bought me for Christmas so I need to remember to buy her something as well.

ChristmasFluff · 29/12/2018 21:04

Mine's mid-January, and it's fine, I am not massive on birthdays, abut as a kid it was a nice thing to look forward to after the Christmas come-down.

Hopeless for parties - often snowed off. I now do my parties in April: conceptionday rather than birthday :-D

PoutySprout · 29/12/2018 21:04

January the 2nd must be the worst Birth day of the entire year.

Agreed.