January birthdays are miserable

[Momrage]

They are though aren't they? It's freezing, the weather is grim, everyone is skint, no-one can be arsed. Everything I've fancied doing is either closed or fully booked or unsuitable for the weather with small DC.

I'm a my birthday please either join my winge or just let me wallow. 😅

I have a DD with a family birthday and I can’t feel sad about it because she is an absolute ray of sunshine. I do remember struggling for birthday fun when she was little but now she’s an adult we can do lovely things like a city break or a theatre trip so it’s all good. I voted YANBU because I do sympathise. Btw a spring birthday can be absolutely freezing and wet so at least you know what you’re getting 😉

Happy birthday OP!

Yesterday was my son's birthday. It was hard when he was little because all the indoor activities were $$$. Now that he's older we just do dinner and cake. And I had leftover birthday cake for breakfast, so that's a bonus.

Just been away for the weekend celebrating a friends birthday.
you know it’s happening at the same time each year - plan/save better!
It is what you make it. There’s usually offers on in restaurants because it’s a slower month.
And no I don’t have a summer birthday and neither do many of my family - but we always make an effort.

Ha it's my birthday today too. I am a rare one who doesn't mind it! I like the quiet, calm of January and tend to have a quiet, relaxed birthday these days (with two small children it's a blessing to have peace and quiet😅). I do understand why people don't like it though. I always had am enjoyable birthday as a kid but for my 21st, it was utterly miserable as no one came out for it! Around 3 people came when I had invited so many more. That was one of the worst birthdays ever. Luckily my 22nd was celebrated on my year abroad and that made up for it...

My mum is mid January and she absolutely hates it too.

😂😂😂

Yes it does. Even now as an adult it makes it feel like an after thought. And yes January birthdays are completely miserable. As has already been said no-one has any money and everyone is on health kicks, not drinking etc.

It’s a terrible time of the year to have a birthday. As a child I used to get a ‘combined’ birthday and Christmas present. My brother’s birthday was in April and he used to get a present for each occasion.

DH's is the second week of January and I am out of gift ideas by then! On the plus side it's not hard to get a restaurant booking.

Mine is early Feb and I don't love that either but at least the days are getting longer by then.

This year I have had pneumonia since mid December so we've decided we're celebrating on our 'six-month' birthdays in the summer!

Pulled myself together, dressed myself and DC in some fancy-ish clothes and went on an adventure to an art gallery 2 counties away that's i'd been wanting to visit for ages. Totally last minute, very disorganised, but ultimately fun.

Thanks for all the solidarity, good reminder to start saving and ensure I'm on a beach this time next year 😅

DH's birthday is 2nd January.

I have always made the effort to find something really nice for his birthday present and ask in advance what he wants to do. He usually admits that after all the big meals and celebrations he really doesn't want to go out to eat or have a flash meal at home. Often he fancies something really prosaic like sausage and mash.

At least we are now retired and he can take the day easy. When we worked this was usually the first day back after the holiday period so that was a bit of a bummer.

I don’t think so. I had a fun birthday lunch with five friends and some lovely gifts yesterday and have a belated one this coming week at my favourite restaurant.

Happy birthday OP! Your totally correct. Im the 12th. I never celebrated as everyone is skint after xmas. Partied out after New years. Doesnt get paid until the end of the month. Weather is shite etc

I planned a small 'house party' this year. Bought all the booze and food. I had the 12 people invited cancel ON THE DAY. Sad thing is I booked a party bus aswell as a surprise and ended up on my own😅

Im not going to bother again lol!

My middle name is Clare (I love it btw), have a January birthday, live in Australia so it’s summertime here - triple winner for me!

I also have a Claire in my name and a January birthday in Australia.

It seems to be the key to happiness.;)

Ageee would hate to be born Jan my dad is and it’s boring

Oh no, that's awful. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Having a January birthday really is shit!!

I think good for you for trying. I wouldn't even dare to try.

I have a very big one tomorrow and the weather will be shite.
As its the end of the month i have never minded but at the beginning would be a dose.

A dreary Monday in January definitely isn't the best time for celebrating but I planned some fun stuff this weekend including binging a film series I love with my oldest, planning a big walk to an area I like and went out for a lovely dinner with the family. Last weekend my best friend took me out for a show in London.

Last year me and DH had a date day in london with fun cocktail bars, lots of good food and a theatre show in the evening. Year before a bunch of us did an escape room and went out for drinks after.

Ive never found January a difficult time for a birthday, always just plan a bunch of stuff I like doing with friends and family. In my 20s there would usually be some Australian bar involved since it coincides with Australia Day, they could get pretty messy 🤣

Definitely see how the first week in Jan might be a bit trickier to get people excited for a celebration tho

Oh no! That really was shitty behaviour on their part. Who cancels on the actual day unless it is completely avoidable, e.g. family emergency or illness.

Honestly I would be so tempted to take a selfie of myself alone on the bus surrounded by the food and drink and then send it to all twelve with some PA comment designed to make them feel guilty. Eg.

"Well at least I had plenty to eat and drink since NOT ONE of the people I invited turned up"

Maybe wouldn't do any good but I would want them to feel bad about it.

Move to the Southern Hemisphere! You'll have a summer birthday then. (You may still spend it inside if it's 40 degrees like it was today - but it won't be cold!)

Seriously though, happy birthday and good on you for making the best of it.

Yes - 100% this! So frustrating! I'm Jan 3rd and I get this a lot!

Mid Jan here. It's been grim over the years that's for sure. For a big 0 one as it's just me and my daughter I pulled her out of primary school for a few days and went to Iceland. Went on an incredible day trip for it including blue lagoon and seeing Northern lights but obviously not practical every year.

My birthday is this week and I have already had two lovely weekends of spa and meals out! I'm really enjoying it and nice to do something in the gloominess of January.