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Original poster

Christmas birthdays

33 replies

Libra · 03/12/2003 13:28

DS2 was born a couple of days before Christmas last year. Of course he will be too young this year to really notice his birthday! but I wondered what other people did about birthdays that were so close to Christmas. Even though it is only his first birthday, there seems to be a worrying trend towards the 'big' present rather than two different ones. How do you make their birthday a special day for them? We were considering putting the Christmas tree up on that day rather than wait for Christmas Eve like we used to do. Any ideas?

OP posts:
steppemum · 03/12/2003 15:10

This is one for us too Libra, ds's birthday is on 14th december. he was 16 days late and it really bothers me that his birthday is now so close to Christmas. He is also going to be one this year, so its not an issue for us yet either. One of my friends has a daughter who is now about 7 and her birthday is 4th december. She phoned me up just before ds was born and we had a long chat, and she told me some of the things they do. They put up the tree etc in time for her birthday, so the ritual of decorating it is part of her birthday (actually I don't like that one, I think I will decorate the house with birthday streamers and ballons, and then Christmas will start AFTER his birthday, in order to make the distinction.) She always has a party or trip (to the zoo etc) and it doesn't seem to matter that it is close to Christmas, the kids still want to come, in fact they are in the party mode as it were. She also said they make sure they buy separate birthday and Christmas presents, so she knows that her day is different and special. She said the hardest thing was coming up with 2 good presents at the same time of year. Sometimes it would be nice to get something that is more "summery" but then it is no fun to get that in Decmber and not be able to use it. Her solution was to put aside some money (maybe from grandparents etc) which they then use to buy something in the summer. I like some of those ideas. I would have hated the one big present thing as a kid as I was more interested in how many I had to open not how much it cost!!

We have another problem, which is that my dh is Dutch, and Dutch kids receive their presents on 5th December, and not 25th. We live overseas in a country where the kids get presents at New year not Christmas, so that is 5th, 14th, 25th and 31st of December! (although hw won't get 3 times what he would get at Christmas, we'll split them over 5th, 25th and 31st) I really don't want him to grow up mercenary, so it will be a fine balance.

Actually I think it is easier with little kids as you can do a birthday party, but its harder for older kids adults as it tends to get forgotton.

Forestfly · 03/12/2003 15:11

27th of December, it drives me mad!!!!!!

Tallgirl · 03/12/2003 15:14

This Friday (5th) will be DS 2nd birthday and i'm fed up of not being able to find 'normal' i.e. not Xmas stuff inthe shops - i.e. wrapping paper, cakes etc

At least we have a few weeks gap but i agree it is difficult but then it was our fault in the first place wasn't it!

CountessDracula · 03/12/2003 16:04

Libra my dad's birthday is on Xmas day (he's called Noel!!)

We have always had stockings first thing (when little) and then the morning was his birthday. Then after xmas lunch we got to open our pressies from under the tree. I think actually that it's easier maybe having the birthday on the day rather than so close.

We always stuck with separate pressies for xmas and bday.

Original poster
Libra · 03/12/2003 16:16

We went for Nikolas, and the baby in the bed next to mine in the maternity ward was Holly!
We also have the problem of another country's traditions - DH is Danish and so our celebrations start on Christmas Eve, although when we are in Scotland I insist on presents being opened on 25th. Still have to eat rice pudding though
I'm horrified to hear that some people still have birthday parties - the one positive point I could think about having a baby so close to Christmas was that I wouldn't have to arrange another children's birthday party!!

OP posts:
Slinky · 03/12/2003 16:18

My DS1 is 6 on 17 December.

I have learnt to buy his birthday cards in September just before the shops start clearing stuff away in time for Christmas.

I INSIST that he has separate birthday and Christmas presents and I get "narked" when people wrap his birthday presents in Christmas paper. (My friends birthday is Christmas Day and this used to wind her up too!)

DS1 wanted a party in our local Brewsters this year but when I tried to book it, they informed me that they were not doing "birthday parties" in December as they are busy with Christmas meal bookings So this year, I'm taking DS1 and a few friends to the cinema to see "Elf".

Christmas decorations usually go up on or the weekend before his birthday but the kids have been nagging me to do it this weekend.

My other 2 children have birthdays in October so again quite late in the year - and like another poster I do collect their birthday money up so they can spend in the summer on things they fancy for the garden.

One nice thing about his birthday is that every year the school runs a school trip to the Theatre - the whole school goes including all staff etc and it always falls around his birthday. Last year it was on his birthday and they got him up on the stage and everyone sang Happy Birthday He loved it! This year they are going on 16th and he's already said he hopes he can go on stage again

ThomCat · 03/12/2003 16:23

Ditto nearly all of that Slinky including the birthday - 17 Dec Lottie will be 2.

Would never choose to have a baby anywhere near Xmas if choice came into it!!!

She was due on the 7th and was 10 days late. Was so desperate to get her out as far away from 25 December as poss i got on the castor oil! Did the job though!

Lou33 · 03/12/2003 16:23

DD2 has her birthday on 29th December. I treat it like I would a birthday at any other time of the year. It's a separate thing, and so she gets separate pressies. I know from experience how horrible it is to be a kid and have a combined birthday/christmas present (mine is 3rd jan). This year she is having a makeover party, last year she went to a pottery cafe.

Slinky · 03/12/2003 16:38

Thomcat

DS1 was due on Christmas Eve but I had a lovely consultant who arranged for me to be induced after I sat sobbing in his office saying I didn't want to miss Christmas with 2yo DD LOL!

But main reason was DS1 was an "unstable lie" and was transverse then breech still at 38 weeks. He then spun headdown and consultant agreed to induce me as he was in an ideal position.

Candie · 03/12/2003 17:27

My birthday is on Christmas day. When we were little I always had my presents on a chair next to my bed and my sisters had to wait until I opened them before they were allowed to open their Christmas presents. My cards were always hung up on a wall away from the christmas cards. Everyone made sure that I always got 2 lots of presents although I don't think that I have hardly ever had a present in my life that is wrapped in anything except christmas paper! My mum did used to make me a separate cake when I was small. As I got older my candles got stuck in the christmas cake. Overall though I was made to feel really special. Even now I can never give my date of birth without someone commenting on it.

fairydust · 03/12/2003 17:31

Mine - is on 28th dec - and i've always had two prsents

ThomCat · 03/12/2003 17:38

Ahh bless Candie.

Do you know what I hate most about her b.day being near Xmas. That she gets all her pressies in one go. Do you know what I mean? The year isn't broken up with another batch of new stuff. Not putting this very well but maybe you'll catchg my drift. My auntie understood and boutght Lottie a toy for a much older child last year because as she put it it'll be year before she gets anything else. I buy her stuff all year round but it's not the same is it.

Candie · 03/12/2003 17:43

It did seem a long wait to get your presents. One of my sisters birthdays was in June, one in March and one on Dec 30, so she is nearly as bad. My dh said yesterday that he thinks its great though cos he only has to bother thinking of
presents once a year. Charming!

StressyHead · 03/12/2003 18:41

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marthamoo · 03/12/2003 18:57

Ds2 is 2 on Sunday (the 7th). He was due on the 23rd and I was so glad he put in an early appearance!

At the moment we decorate for Christmas the night before his birthday - he doesn't care that the decorations are Christmas and not birthday, but I can see that changing as he gets older. A friend of mine's birthday is on the 10th, and even now she's an adult she won't do Christmas at all until her birthday is over., ie., no decorations, no Christmas cards on display etc. (though now she has two sons she has conceded they can have advent calendars!)

I do think it sucks when children get one instead of two distinct presents - though it hasn't happened with ds2 maybe as there are still over 2 weeks to go 'til Christmas. Best gap would be a birthday in June, with birtday so close to Christmas it's a long time til present time rolls round again.

Re: Christmas names. With ds2 being due so near to Christmas we had suggestions of Rudolph, Santa, Ivy, Carol, Nicholas, Holly, and Jesus. We decided on a non-Christmas name though!

fisil · 03/12/2003 19:32

My birthday's right at the end of January, and I still used to get joint pressies as a child. Grrrr.

So when I found out I was due on New Years Eve last year, I basically sat with my legs crossed willing ds to stay inside as long as possible. I reckon I did the best I could - 11th January!

Boot1 · 03/12/2003 19:48

A friend of mine's is actually Xmas Day and another's little boy is the same. With him she has a party in the summer for him which he really enjoys.

tinyfeet · 03/12/2003 19:59

Great thread! I'm due on Christmas day this year. Complete accident and have been mourning my due date ever since I found out - for these exact reasons - as well as some others. . . Like Fisil, I'm going to try to sit with legs crossed for as long as possible and would absolutely love a January 11th birthday for this DD. Any advice, Fisil - other than to keep legs crossed and not take too many walks or have much sex. I realize this is the complete opposite advice request for those who are sick of being 40 weeks pg.

Nome · 03/12/2003 20:05

Ds was born on 6 January this year. He's too little to understand what it's all about this year, but I thought we would have a private, family celebration on the day, just Dh, DS and me and cake, but no presents. Then let the rest of the family wade in on his Name day, which is at the beginning of May and have more cake/day out/presents. I don't know if it would work though. Anyone else done this?

Jimjams · 03/12/2003 20:12

I was born on xmas day.

Used to have a party on xmas eve. I think I used to do OK out of it really - and now its great as I can forget its my birthday- which is more appealing with every year that passes.

Jimjams · 03/12/2003 20:14

Nome- I'm not sure- I think I would have been a bit put out if I hadn't got any presents on my birthday. My parents thought about having a party in the middle of the year- but I never really wanted that. I guess age is very important to young children and I wanted to celebrate as soon as I got older.

DS2's birthday is 17th Jan- and it is a bit of a pain. He'll be 2 this year.

tinyfeet · 03/12/2003 20:22

jimjams - why is jan 17 bad? It seems far enough away from Christmas, no??

Eeek · 03/12/2003 20:27

mine is the 23rd too - just have it as a birthday like any other but with the added excitement that Christmas starts then. I've never worked it, never been to school on it and I'm now pretty aged. When you're little parents can make sure you get two sets of presents by telling everyone to do so, and when you're a teenager you can lump them together for that big pressie you really fancy.

Buying birthday cards in September is a brilliant idea - I always struggle - 3 others with Xmas birthdays in my family

Jimjams · 03/12/2003 20:30

becuase I blow all my cash at xmas tinyfeet and then need to think about something for him immediately afterwards again.

harman · 03/12/2003 20:39

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