New Years Day Birthday Party

[Pancakerolls]

Does anyone have a child birthday that lands on 1st Jan and what do you do to celebrate?
My youngest nephew (of 4) is turning 1 this New Years Day and their parents brought it up that we would be expected there for their birthday. The conversation came up when we were discussing Christmas plans and where to host etc but the party convo went something like;
“Shall we all come to yours for Christmas as you’ll be here the week after for ‘nephews’ birthday and you don’t want to travel up twice.”

Thought it was quite presumptuous and got quite annoyed that they have now effectively planned our New Year’s Day for the next 18 years…

We have a tradition at our house on New Years Day:

• New Years Day cooked breakfast
• Take all the decorations down
• Watch one last Christmas movie
• Eat all the leftover Christmas chocolates etc.
• Rest

The main issues we have are:

• they live 2 hours away (longer if there is traffic on m25).
• Me & my hubby spend New Years Eve drinking, playing games and watching movies until early hours of the morning.
• We have 4 kids ourselves so we have to pack bags of spare clothes/toys/snacks for all.
• We have a large 7 seater with low Mpg so a 4 hour trip would cost us around £100 in fuel
• We will see them 6 days before so it’s not like we haven’t seen them in a long time.

They are very good at the guilt thing and I’m a sucker for it.

Would you go because they’re family and families make sacrifices for each other?

Thanks everyone!

I'd go for first birthday but not every birthday beyond that.

A close family member’s birthday is January 1st and I have to tell you they always gets screwed. People are either hung over, too tired or on a diet (Jan 1st resolution). I would suggest a New year’s Eve birthday party.

Oops read that wrong sorry. Yanbu. Jan 1st bdays suck!

I'd do it just this first year. But definitely not every year.

Have they made the effort for all your children’s birthdays?

Yanbu. It would be a firm no from me. And how damn rude to just assume that you will be attending.

Do they always prioritise your DC birthdays? If so it might be nice to reciprocate. If not then I’d stick with your plans. They can’t dictate what you do.

I agree do it for the first year but not necessarily beyond that. Do they come to each of your children’s birthdays every year?

1st birthday and other milestone birthdays yes, other years no.

Thanks everyone! Yes, we equally visit for each other’s birthdays.

Is it really going to be the next 18 years though? Once child goes to school they will be having parties on the weekend either side

Depends what effort they put in for your child's birthday. If you expect them to visit for your children, its a bit shit of you to not do the same, it's not their fault the child has the second worst date in the calendar for his birthday.

@Pancakerolls

Thanks everyone! Yes, we equally visit for each other’s birthdays.

Well, if they’ve made the effort for all four of your children, it’s only fair that you reciprocate.

Of course you should go. Those excuses are rubbish. You can stay up playing games on 30th Dec. Take Decs down on 31st.

Of course you should go.

If visiting is the done thing you would be terribly rude to not attend a first birthday. However just because the birthday falls on a holiday you could visit nearest weekend moving forward. You wouldn’t visit to celebrate on a Tuesday in March for example so sure a few days out ok then too.

Separate card and present to Xmas gifts. No doubling up!

We if they come to your kids then that's your problem

You should have turned round at the beginning and said 'no obligation to come to my kids birthday as who would want to do that ?'

But now you've made out it's normal ...

I'd never go to one ever

If they’ve been there for your kid’s birthdays then it’s a bit shit not to do theirs. Especially the first.