Page 14 | To expect parents not to have child’s birthday party on Xmas Eve

I88l · 2023-12-04T11:33:28+00:00

One of my daughter’s school friends has a birthday party on Xmas Eve. i think the idea of inviting school kids to a birthday party on Xmas eve is pretty odd, because Xmas Eve should be spent with family.

bananamangoes · 05/12/2023 20:15

Poor kid. Horrible day for a birthday

possibly wont have too many people at their party

Jack80 · 05/12/2023 20:16

That's a bit like my birthday it's on 27th Dec, I would have a party around that time. It's a marmite but just go for an hour or decline

Newerversion · 05/12/2023 20:24

It is an invitation not a summons

Doone22 · 05/12/2023 20:31

So you expect this girl to cancel her birthday because its inconvenient to you? She doesn't choose when she's born

eastegg · 05/12/2023 20:44

OldPerson · 05/12/2023 20:12

They'll learn. As do all families unfortunate enough to have children on national public family holidays/events. Sounds like a young child or stupid parents. They'll learn. Just be nice. Drop around a present on bday. Or state you're away visiting family, but give a small present last day of term or after xmas. Just be nice enough, so that the hard-of-thinking don't think their child is unpopular. They obviously adore their child to think everyone else is willing to give up family time to be at that child's party. Say no. Be nice. Do your little bit. I always feel for children born at Christmas.

‘Be nice?’. What, like you’re being you mean? Hard of thinking, how lovely.

lonelynfrustrated · 05/12/2023 20:45

My childhood best friend's birthday was Christmas Eve, never occurred to us that she shouldn't celebrate and have her party then.

My mum told me she would be grateful to get me off her hands for a couple of hours so she could wrap presents etc!

Sugarfree23 · 05/12/2023 20:52

@OldPerson did you mean to be so nasty?
There is no really good time to have a birthday party around Christmas, pantos, Santa visits, club parties, visits to fairs and markets.

The weekend after your into New Year and another Bank holiday. And lots of people going away.

But all of thar doesn't mean people shouldn't make an effort for their children who have a crap day for a birthday.
Christmas Eve has to be the 2nd worse day for a Birthday, after Christmas Day, I think a Boxing Day Birthday is easier to manage.

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 05/12/2023 20:55

I'm d be delighted for my child to go to party on Xmas eve.

Free babysitting so I can get organised.

NoThanksymm · 05/12/2023 21:40

Ummm. Just don’t go.

Ourlittletalks · 05/12/2023 22:02

YANBU if you decline the invitation, but many parents would be delighted with a few free hours to prepare for Christmas Day.

Mamabear48 · 05/12/2023 22:03

Bet you wouldn’t feel that way if your child birthday was on Xmas eve!

Coffeeismyfriend1 · 05/12/2023 22:14

As someone with a birthday very close to Xmas, frankly it sucks! All your friends get parties on/near their birthday but on yours everyone is always too busy with Christmas/family stuff. It’s not your fault you were born around Christmas.

Many people still have work on Xmas Eve too so to say it’s a day to spend with family only applies if you have jobs that don’t involve working Xmas Eve (I don’t have to work Xmas Eve but know many people who do)

UsingChangeofName · 05/12/2023 22:17

Yanbu not to want to go (I wouldn't either, nor feel obliged to do so) but yabu to say it shouldbe spent with family

I agree with this from the first couple of replies.

I mean, like you, my heart would sink a bit if one of the dc were invited, and what I'd do is have a look how feasible it was, and then make a decision as to whether it made sense to accept or decline the invitation. I certainly wouldn't arrange a child's birthday party for Christmas Eve, but there is no should about it. All families are different, and will be doing different things. So YABU.

Chipsahoyagain · 05/12/2023 22:21

StephanieSuperpowers · 04/12/2023 11:37

Christmas Eve novelty and excitement that I wouldn't have to provide for a few hours? I'd be delighted to send my child.

Yea but given that parties are usually 2-3 hours long and factoring in time to pick and drop off really is a pain and waste of a day. I would decline.

Bernardo1 · 05/12/2023 22:22

If the birthday is actually on the 24th December, why shouldn't they celebrate that day. Their decision, nobody else's.

If people feel unable to attend, thats understanable of course, but their choice.

ScattyGinger · 05/12/2023 22:25

It sounds great. Another chance to tire the kids out before the Christmas Eve bedtime. I'd be more than happy to take my kids.

Foxyaus · 05/12/2023 22:56

As someone who grew up with a birthday near Christmas, I can tell you that as a child, it is heartbreaking to miss out on a party because of the nearness to Christmas.

Why should a child miss out on celebrating on their special day?
You are being selfish.

OhsoNat · 05/12/2023 23:05

I don’t think I’d mind that, we are often at home watching Christmas movies and prepping for family to arrive so wouldn’t really mind a couple of hours doing something different although I’d rather one where I can drop and come back later :-)
always felt sorry for parents trying to organise birthdays in December x

UsingChangeofName · 05/12/2023 23:10

Foxyaus · 05/12/2023 22:56

As someone who grew up with a birthday near Christmas, I can tell you that as a child, it is heartbreaking to miss out on a party because of the nearness to Christmas.

Why should a child miss out on celebrating on their special day?
You are being selfish.

They don't have to miss out on any celebration at all, but they do have to expect that a lot of their school friends might not be able to come. In the same way that people who have birthdays in August usually realise after a couple of years, it makes more sense to spread your birthday celebrations out and have your school friends' party at a time when more dc are likely to be able to come.

2 of my dc love having 3 different birthday celebrations, spread out over a number of weeks.

threatmatrix · 05/12/2023 23:53

So you think the poor child should never have a party on her birthday?

Dontcallmescarface · 06/12/2023 08:58

OldPerson · 05/12/2023 20:12

They'll learn. As do all families unfortunate enough to have children on national public family holidays/events. Sounds like a young child or stupid parents. They'll learn. Just be nice. Drop around a present on bday. Or state you're away visiting family, but give a small present last day of term or after xmas. Just be nice enough, so that the hard-of-thinking don't think their child is unpopular. They obviously adore their child to think everyone else is willing to give up family time to be at that child's party. Say no. Be nice. Do your little bit. I always feel for children born at Christmas.

What I learnt was my birthday wasn't important. I'm even expected to give other people presents on my birthday, whilst getting nothing from them on theirs. Whenever there is a thread on here where the OP says that nobody remembered her birthday there is an outpouring of sympathy, whereas those of us born December 25th are just expected to put up with it because our birthday is just too inconvenient.

MargotBamborough · 06/12/2023 09:30

OldPerson · 05/12/2023 20:12

They'll learn. As do all families unfortunate enough to have children on national public family holidays/events. Sounds like a young child or stupid parents. They'll learn. Just be nice. Drop around a present on bday. Or state you're away visiting family, but give a small present last day of term or after xmas. Just be nice enough, so that the hard-of-thinking don't think their child is unpopular. They obviously adore their child to think everyone else is willing to give up family time to be at that child's party. Say no. Be nice. Do your little bit. I always feel for children born at Christmas.

You feel for them but not enough to drop your children off at their Christmas Eve birthday party for a couple of hours?

housethatbuiltme · 06/12/2023 09:44

OldPerson · 05/12/2023 20:12

They'll learn. As do all families unfortunate enough to have children on national public family holidays/events. Sounds like a young child or stupid parents. They'll learn. Just be nice. Drop around a present on bday. Or state you're away visiting family, but give a small present last day of term or after xmas. Just be nice enough, so that the hard-of-thinking don't think their child is unpopular. They obviously adore their child to think everyone else is willing to give up family time to be at that child's party. Say no. Be nice. Do your little bit. I always feel for children born at Christmas.

Learn what?

Does no one read the thread, most have stated they would happily let their kids attend (it would actually be preferable on xmas eve) and almost all that have hosted Xmas eve parties (birthday or otherwise) have had great turn outs.

housethatbuiltme · 06/12/2023 09:49

Sugarfree23 · 05/12/2023 20:52

@OldPerson did you mean to be so nasty?
There is no really good time to have a birthday party around Christmas, pantos, Santa visits, club parties, visits to fairs and markets.

The weekend after your into New Year and another Bank holiday. And lots of people going away.

But all of thar doesn't mean people shouldn't make an effort for their children who have a crap day for a birthday.
Christmas Eve has to be the 2nd worse day for a Birthday, after Christmas Day, I think a Boxing Day Birthday is easier to manage.

I read a huge public poll once on the worst days to be born.

Xmas won but I think Leap Day was voted second then into other xmas days (xmas eve, boxing day, new years day, new years eve etc...)

Sugarfree23 · 06/12/2023 10:18

😆 never thought about Leap Day! I'd still argue 24th has to be worse.

It tough to make special, and keep the Christmas excitement. People who are hosting are generally busy. We generally have family round a couple of days earlier. So he doesn't get bundles of gifts 2 days in a row. I asked for MN advice on how to make it special so going out for lunch to mark birthday 🎂 🥳 then comeback and watch Christmas film.