Page 9 | 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.

TeeBee · 04/12/2023 14:33

takealettermsjones · 04/12/2023 14:31

This says more about my humour than anything about your wording, but I definitely read this as a euphemism 😂

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Brilliant! And probably close to the truth 😂

RockahulaRocks · 04/12/2023 15:09

DD is only 3 but I’d be rather thrilled to have something to do for a few hours on Christmas Eve.

HighlandCowSaysBooNotMoo · 04/12/2023 15:23

Anywhere i can take my kids to on Xmas eve to try and fill time is a bonus otherwise they are just at home climbing the walls with excitement 😁

ToWhitToWhoo · 04/12/2023 15:54

There is no SHOULD about these things. Some people celebrate only on Christmas Day; some don't celebrate Christmas at all or do so minimally; some have their main 'family time' a day or two earlier or later; some travel at that time.

If a family organizes a birthday party for Christmas Eve, they need to accept that fewer people are likely to be able to attend than at another time. Apart from that, it's up to them.

housethatbuiltme · 04/12/2023 16:19

Can I ask OP if she comes back... what exactly do you do as a 'family' on xmas eve?

You could go with your child to the party and spend time with her its not one or the other because sitting at home refusing to talk to anyone outside family sounds weird.

Homesweethome23 · 04/12/2023 16:25

Christmas Eve for us is a family day as we have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve with extended family so a party invite would be declined. Can understand though for some a party on Christmas Eve is perfect for them and would happily accept the invite.

Dibbydoos · 05/12/2023 01:17

If my kids were invited to a bday party on Christmas Eve I would drop them off and have free time to get the last of what I needed done. I'd treat it as a godsend!

If you think you should all be together all day, then decline the invitation. But you should ask your DC(s) who might want to go.

TotalAbsenceOfImperialRaiment · 05/12/2023 02:58

I didn't know there was a law about it......and what happens if you have no family or are not on speaking terms with them? Do they have to let you in for mince pies and sherry on 24 December?

Sodullincomparison · 05/12/2023 04:27

My friend’s daughter has her birthday on Christmas Eve and they have a very well attended drop off party every year- generally involving soft play,trampoline and bowling over the past few years.

I think it depends where you live if people are travelling. When I lived in London so many friends and family would be heading out but in the northwest most appear to stay home or near home.

our DD has four birthday parties in December and two at New Year for her classmates.

DH and his dad both have birthdays the week before Christmas too.

the whole month is a conveyor belt of presents and wrapping.

we host a Christmas Eve Open House and have a dozen families drop in at different times from 3pm onwards. At this point if it’s not done or bought, it’s not going to happen so time to sit down and relax.

Houseofpainjumparound · 05/12/2023 05:11

I am sure it's been said in the past 9 pages but is the child from a different cultural or religious background who don't celebrate Christmas either religiously or culturally?

Also echo others, poor kid has a christmas birthday where no doubt it gets forgotten or overshadowed by people celebrating Christmas with only their families because "It's the done thing"

MrsTerryPratchett · 05/12/2023 05:15

So many of these goady, OP doesn't return threads at the moment.

BlackAldi · 05/12/2023 06:04

Christmas Eve is a working day so lots of people won’t be able to spend all of it with family.

Just rsvp as fits your personal circumstance but no need to judge them over it.

ChaniceKobolowski · 05/12/2023 06:26

Yes you’ll be wrapping and tidying, DH prepping veg, DC1 watching Netflix in their room and DC2 on their phone/tablet. Family time is the best.

Kathryn1983 · 05/12/2023 06:46

For most people we are working on Christmas Eve surely and kids are in holiday club or with a family member who gets more Christmas time off perhaps so I think you need to get over yourself to be honest

don't go if you don't want to but have a thought for the poor child who's birthday is At Christmas time who will get fewer presents over the years, likely stop having parties younger and generally have a less special birthday than those in summer. On average and consider if it would be a nice change of pace to have a party for your own children to break up the day which can occasionally fall flat

MermaidMummy06 · 05/12/2023 06:47

They can have a party whenever they like. If we were available then I'd take the DC.

But, as a friend who has decided to have a huge, expensive milestone party a few days after Xmas is discovering, no one wants to can come. I think our of 60 guests she'll have maybe 25-30, and that's mostly immediate family & locals with no excuse to decline (like us, unfortunately).

It's just a difficult time of year to have parties.

Fairydustandsparklylights · 05/12/2023 06:47

Depends on the time of the party. Anything in the morning / lunchtime is fine. Anything after is a no for me.

IdealisticCynic · 05/12/2023 07:03

Maybe the child’s birthday is on Christmas Eve? Maybe the family don’t celebrate Christmas? Maybe it was the only day that works for them due to work or other commitments?

Whatever the situation, you are not obliged to accept, so yes, YABU. VU.

ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming · 05/12/2023 07:05

They can hold their child's party whenever they want to. Not everyone wants to spend Christmas Eve with family, I think it more odd that you seem to think everyone does. If it doesn't suit you then just decline the invitation. Who do you think you are to "expect" others to arrange things just to suit you?

lollo8 · 05/12/2023 07:11

Think it's a bit odd to hold it on a day for families tbh.

I knew a couple who got married between Christmas and New Year, in a location none of their family and friends were anywhere near. That seemed selfish to me. Of course no one HAD to go, but you kind of do, if you're close friends/family.

Rockfordpeach · 05/12/2023 07:15

My friend throws a Christmas eve party for the kids every year. We all bring food and the children have party games and see their friends and it breaks up the day, tires my DS out and I enjoy seeing my friends for a couple of hours. I might enjoy it more because DP usually works Xmas eve and I feel a bit lonely until he's home but he's not working this year and I'm still going to the party this year because DS enjoys it and it's only a small part of the day

Countdown2023 · 05/12/2023 07:20

You don’t have to go.

a case of FOMO

Ejismyf · 05/12/2023 07:21

Depends the time, if its morning or afternoon I'd quite like it if they are of drop off age to do last minute bits and if not my kids would likely of loved a party to burn off energy.

notahappybunny7 · 05/12/2023 07:22

Love this! Couple of hours to do last minute bits! Brilliant idea!

Sugarfree23 · 05/12/2023 07:32

Kathryn1983 · 05/12/2023 06:46

For most people we are working on Christmas Eve surely and kids are in holiday club or with a family member who gets more Christmas time off perhaps so I think you need to get over yourself to be honest

don't go if you don't want to but have a thought for the poor child who's birthday is At Christmas time who will get fewer presents over the years, likely stop having parties younger and generally have a less special birthday than those in summer. On average and consider if it would be a nice change of pace to have a party for your own children to break up the day which can occasionally fall flat

Christmas Eve is a Sunday this year. Holiday clubs don't run on Sundays.
Most kids will be home in front of the telly. Parents who are hosting family will be running around daft doing last minute prep.

Itneverrainsitpissesitdown · 05/12/2023 07:34

I wonder what OP would have done if her child had happened to have been born on Christmas eve.
Waited until January?
It takes the "birthday feeling" out of it somehow as Christmas eve is that child's special day, like 7th January will be another child's special day.

As regards attending a party on Christmas eve (mine are older now) I would have been happy for my children to go.
I think it would be surprisingly well attended. Children tend to get over excited in the count down to the big day, so I would see it as a nice way for them to pass the time/ have fun on Christmas eve.
It's probably just two hours in the day.

If you have plans then obviously you just decline the invitation. No big deal.
Just don't judge the parents for choosing to celebrate on their child's actual birthday, or the other parents who decide it will be enjoyable for their children to attend.
At the end of the day it's a party, not a maths test!