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Original poster

December baby having fake birthday

174 replies

ratussbaguss · 09/08/2022 12:48

So DS2 was born in December and I just feel like it's so hard for him to wait an entire year between presents, and then of course to get birthday and Christmas so close together, especially because his sibling gets presents conveniently around halfway through the year.

Has anyone done like a fake birthday in June time for December babies? Or is that mad? Or any other solution?

OP posts:
DailyDuckie · 09/08/2022 13:48

So I get it, we have a nieces and friends kids with Xmas birthdays. We always give vouchers so they can buy something for summer/garden when it’s that time of year instead maybe something you can suggest for family members/friends to do

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 09/08/2022 13:52

Oldest DS has his birthday a week before Christmas. He always had a party around then. Middle DD is January and had her party around her birthday. But particularly when they were younger we started to hold an unbirthday party in the summer - it was never as big as a birthday but we would have a family "party" - grandparents/parents/kids and the children would each have a present - usually something they could enjoy outdoors. As they got older it morphed into "good school report" presents instead. I should add that a "good school report" was not about academic progress - it was attitude and effort.

It was partly because two of them had birthdays near Christmas and partly because my parents loved to spoil the kids but my kids have lovely memories of the unbirthday parties.

Thebig3 · 09/08/2022 13:54

I was born on Xmas day. Never had a half birthday or celebration at different time. I always get asked "oh my god what's it like" my response is I don't know any different. You are making a big deal out of nothing, if I'm honest. I have a son now who is born 12 days before Xmas and we don't do anything mid year for him.

Like others have suggested we may buy a present for him for other things....Good school work or similar

alwaysmovingforwards · 09/08/2022 13:55

IDontDrinkTea · 09/08/2022 12:54

Unless their birthday is literally Christmas Day I think you’re being a little ridiculous, sorry

Agreed.
But each to their own.

Eunorition · 09/08/2022 13:59

"So hard for him", come off it OP. The kid can just crack on like the rest of the winter babies do. It's not 'sad'. Don't start turning him into a spoiled brat.

Butteryflakycrust83 · 09/08/2022 14:01

OP I get your point - children develop and tastes change alot over a year so theoretically its a long time to wait before gifting more toys/activities etc.

I would gift smaller for a December birthday in terms of presents and focus on an activity or day out instead.

Beginning of summer you can always then as a treat buy bikes/trikes/garden play equipment - perhaps for things like excellent school reports?

BunnyHopDance · 09/08/2022 14:02

One of ours is a December baby. We do a half birthday in June so they can have parties with their friends and Christmas doesn’t overshadow it.

ChickenRat · 09/08/2022 14:07

My birthday is December 23 and it's never been an issue for me, in fact I actually really like being a Christmas baby

Although when I was little my mum used to wait until Christmas Eve before putting the tree and decorations up so my birthday wouldn't be overshadowed

KyaClark · 09/08/2022 14:09

I've survived 33 years having Christmas and my birthday three weeks apart without the need for a "fake birthday"

x2boys · 09/08/2022 14:13

My oldest son was born on boxing day, we always spoil him on his birthday but it is a bit crap having a Xmas birthday

MsSquiz · 09/08/2022 14:16

All of the children in our family except dd2 (dd1, 2x nephews & 1 niece) are all December babies (14th, 15th, 18th and 22nd) and we've never had a fake birthday. Surely you just get them some gifts that they grow into the following year or hold off getting "summer gifts" until the summer?

When I was a kid I once got a bike for Christmas and barely used it until the warmer weather - I don't remember it being an issue

We just always ensure separate gifts for birthday and Christmas as you wouldn't give a child with a summer birthday a joint present and different wrapping paper (so no birthday presents in Christmas wrapping) it's not really that difficult

KnottyKnitting · 09/08/2022 14:16

I knew a boy whose birthday was on Christmas Day. He used to have a cake and cards to celebrate his birthday but then a "present day" in the middle of June where he would get his birthday presents. He loved it as it meant there were no "joint" birthday and Christmas presents that Christmas birthdays often get.

Goldbar · 09/08/2022 14:18

LemonSwan · 09/08/2022 13:32

See I think that’s weird.

I am an Xmas eve baby and there’s literally not a better birthday. It might sound weird from the outside because you would imagine - well I am not sure what your imagining really but it’s a comment I get a lot 🤣

There is no other birthday which is a national holiday - you never have to work the next day (unless you chose a 365 job). Where you have a countdown calendar which ends on your birthday. No one ever forgets your birthday. People decorate things. Where all your family and friends automatically gather to celebrate with no organisation on your part. Where the whole country has gone into joyous mode. Where you don’t have to que to get into a pub on Xmas eve and when you walk into a rammed pub with a birthday hat on the whole pub erupts in happy birthday song and you are bought drinks all night.

It’s by far the best birthday day imaginable! And it’s sad that some people are given a complex about it. Having a birthday on an obscure day is way more boring and no one gives those kids a complex about it.

Show quote history

The problem with a Christmas eve birthday for a child is that it's unlikely many of your friends will come to your party.

Hesma · 09/08/2022 14:21

My DDs friend does this… celebrates her half birthday but only because she was born on Christmas Day. Otherwise it’s a bit ridiculous.

nicky2512 · 09/08/2022 14:21

Ds is a Christmas Day baby (now 16) and he has always loved it. Thinks it’s really special. So it doesn’t have to be a bad thing!

Mochachinomumma · 09/08/2022 14:21

Mine are the week after Xmas, I go all out for both. Sometimes they may get money or vouchers which we save until summer so it balances out throughout the year.

I also have a Boxing Day dn & Dsis on Xmas eve and we do the same for them.

Goldbar · 09/08/2022 14:23

rightonthyme · 09/08/2022 13:47

I do know someone with a Christmas Day birthday who demands that she have a half-way birthday on 25th June. She makes her husband and kids go along with it too. She's a spoiled brat though so YMMV.

I honestly don't see the issue with this.

Who wants to be cooking Christmas Dinner and running after everyone to make sure they have a great day on their birthday? Alternatively, if her husband cooks and does all the legwork, it's a bit unfair on him to have to do Christmas single-handedly every year.

Scepticalwotsits · 09/08/2022 14:27

If you have two children at different times of year I would avoid this, if you have one or both in winter knock yourself out

ChagSameachDoreen · 09/08/2022 14:30

Ridiculous. You're born when you're born.

It's likely my DS will be born around Hanukkah, but he won't be getting another birthday.

Overindulgent nonsense.

Dalekjastninerels · 09/08/2022 14:31

I am a close to Christmas baby, used to it now- but parents made it separate which was lovely for me.

No one else cared though my birthday was too close and everyone caught up etc

I brought a cake for work on my birthday when I turned 50, it got lost in the Xmas shuffle Sad I am afaik liked at work so that wasn't why I didn't get a party like others did for milestone b'days.

I am a bit bitter about this and won't make the effort again.

OzziePopPop · 09/08/2022 14:37

Dd was born a week before Christmas and we did ‘un-birthdays’ for a while. She’s 15 now, we haven’t bothered in 10 years and she’s honestly never missed out. She actually enjoys having them close together as a teen (we don’t!) as she can ask for more expensive gifts, ie a birthday and Christmas present together = iPad or Apple Watch (this year!)

AmberGer · 09/08/2022 14:37

Ds has a birthday early January.
I buy him 'summer' presents for birthday and Christmas when they get reduced in autumn. Last year I got him a massive paddling pool reduced to £3, he had it as a Christmas present and only used it for the first time a few weeks ago. Take advantage of the reductions! If they had a summer birthday, you would be paying full price 😁

Itssolate · 09/08/2022 14:39

I think it's a bit odd.

My ( now adult) child was born on Christmas day and loves having a birthday then - it's possible to make it special!

BlodynGwyn · 09/08/2022 14:40

I was born as a Christmas Day present for my parents. I've never have a birthday party or proper 'birthday' presents. As a child, my presents were mixed in with my Christmas presents, I think. I've never had an issue with it at all, but I'm low maintenance and self-entertaining. Many things give me pleasure, being the center of attention has never been something I've craved.

Neighbours87 · 09/08/2022 14:42

21 December here I’ve always enjoyed having a December birthday. Bumper week of presents and everyone’s always up for a party. When I was a kid my mum would have my bday parties in the lull between xmas and new year.

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