Birthday on Christmas Day

[AngelInBlueJeans]

My birthday is on Christmas Day and I’ve always felt like it’s a non event. Part of me thinks that as an adult I’m being childish, but I really do feel like like my birthday means nothing, and I have never had a birthday party, not even as a child. I receive Christmas cards wishing me a Merry Christmas, then written in brackets… (and a happy birthday). It’s just an afterthought isn’t it, and an excuse not to bother sending a birthday card!
I’m lucky that my DH always wraps separate gifts, so do my teenage children, I am grateful for that, but part of me feels sorry for them that they have to try to fit my birthday into Christmas, it feels like it’s an inconvenience.
My best friend always combines my birthday and Christmas present, she writes on the gift tag “Happy birthday and Merry Christmas”, and of course it’s wrapped in Christmas paper, basically she gets away without buying me a birthday gift. On her birthday this year (August) I combined her gift and wrote the same on her tag. I guess some would say that was mean and childish, but I just wanted her to know how it feels. TBH she looked confused… welcome to my world.
We do have a lovely family Christmas, and for that I am genuinely grateful, but it would be nice to have a birthday.

My birthday is Christmas Day. I don’t mind it tbh, I have never received a birthday present in Christmas wrap and always had separate celebrations. When I was younger I’d go out for a birthday night out with friends like a week before Christmas and now me and DH will go for a meal or something. As a child birthday presents were given in an afternoon with birthday cake to keep them separate from the Christmas presents. I’ve never understood the half birthday celebrations but each to their own

One of my DCs' birthday is the 28th December. He's always had a birthday present in birthday wrapping. We've usually done a party in January, so that's always something to look forward to in the new year. To be honest, my family and friends have always been good at acknowledging his birthday. My sisters birthday is the 30th December. One year, I didn't get her a present. I don't know why, I think I just forgot. I felt so bad. I've never forgotten since. I did give her a voucher, but it was an afterthought.

I have a friend whose birthday is 25th December and she always celebrates her half-birthday. It's a lovely tradition and easier for buying her gifts too!

Half birthday celebrations here too.

25th June, nice outdoor summer party, presents from friends and extended family.

For Christmas day itself (actual birthday) family would come to our house in the morning, everyone would say happy birthday and give birthday cards, we'd have a birthday brunch and a Colin the caterpillar, and then everyone would go off to celebrate Christmas however they'd like to.

We celebrate my friends half birthday on 25th June, have done since we were students. She gets a present on that day and a card on 25th Dec. Good excuse to all get together for a BBQ or beer garden lunch.

How about a half birthday June 25th?

My birthday is on Christmas Day and I love it - wouldn't change it to an ordinary day.
Always have a double celebration!!

I hate my birthday so for me would be ideal to be on Christmas day and have it and Christmas out of the way in one go. You're totally not unreasonable to want your birthday properly recognised.

DD is 23rd. We've managed to keep it properly separate so far. She has her own special tree that is actually a Christmas tree but it's a 3 ft pink one she gets to put up outside her bedroom and put her birthday presents under it well away from the actual Christmas tree and presents.

Have an extra birthday, like the Queen did, or better still cancel the one you have and reassign it. June is a good time to celebrate outdoors, and you will instantly become 6 months younger.

I'm Xmas day too OP, and if I'd had a half birthday it'd be the same week as my sibling's actual birthday so no good either. It is a bit crappy but it's up to you and your family to make it better for you - make it clear you want a birthday cake, or presents in birthday paper, or to celebrate the week before or whatever would be better for you.

I personally open my birthday presents once all Xmas presents have been opened (a challenge when DC were young!) though in the past have done opening my presents on Xmas eve too. And generally have a birthday cake later in the week or just when I fancy. And never in my life have I had to go to school or work on my birthday, so there's that.

Celebrate your half birthday!!!! You deserve the joy of a birthday party!

I think the suggestions of celebrating on a different day sounds good if your happy with that make it more special

Not Christmas but my dp birthday is January and it's hard work with that and Christmas

My birthday is mid Jan and my pet peeve is receiving discounted Xmas tat for my birthday, and getting a happy birthday and thank you card (for Xmas presents) in one. It's very thoughtless.

Could you have a half birthday? I think this is becoming more and more of a ‘thing’. If I had a December birthday, I’d have a party in June - better weather and no excuses about Christmas!

Except that isn't their real birthday and they will want to celebrate on the actual day!

And maybe the half year too 😂

A friend celebrates their birthday on Christmas Day afternoon. So the morning is Christmas for everyone and the afternoon is a birthday tea and cake.

This is within your power to fix. Why haven’t you for so many years as an adult?

Options

• Throw a birthday celebration/party for yourself every year in early December or mid Jan. Then you get a day of celebration away from Christmas and people can’t be tight with the combined presents.
• Pretend that your birthday is the 24th or 26th of December with your family at home - a day where the focus is on you and not shared with Christmas Day. Its just a date, does it make any difference whatsoever doing it the day before or after?
• Move your birthday celebrations to June 25th and host a birthday BBQ when the weather is nicer and it’s your half birthday.

Or you can just continue to wallow and feel sorry for yourself every Dec 25th and ruin your birthday and Christmas every year. Up to you.

I'm sure there's a bible story where Jesus moans to Peter the Fisheman about his Christmas Day birthday.
You could do with celebrating on another day or just don't celebrate Christmas any more.

One of my kids is Christmas Eve and I hate it. Everyone is busy, trying to get ready for Christmas. And kids are hyped up for Christmas.

We normally do the birthday a day or 2 early then in the middle of July, the voice from the backseat, can I get my birthday on my actual birthday!
I have a headache trying to figure out how to make that work and get the whole Santa experience too.

I've been convinced for ages that birthday on Christmas day would be easier, birthday presents after dinner.

You should celebrate your birthday 6 months later on 25th June. Change it up.

Full respect to you.
You got a real hard time on that thread, took it on the chin and listened. And made changes for your DS. Hope you have another brilliant Christmas & Birthday x

My DH birthday is 23rd Dec , and is still cross about having one present for both ( especially the awful jumper from auntie Julie in 1978 )
We always make a fuss on his birthday ( since I’ve been in his life , which is 30+ years ) and end up being exhausted the day after Boxing Day because of all the extra nice food , wine etc
My cousin is a Christmas baby too , she always ( since her 50th birthday bash ) has a half birthday in the summer
Don't put up with it any more OP @AngelInBlueJeans

YANBU

I have a birthday very close to Christmas and I do feel an afterthought a lot of the time, except for with my husband and children. They always treat me, and that’s all I need

Thats not nice op. Im 17th jan and no fuss as everyone just over xmas. So I get what you mean x