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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Original poster

How to not ask for a present for a 'half birthday'?!

26 replies

CantSleepWontSleep · 31/05/2007 14:29

Friend has a toddler born on Boxing Day (2005). Due to its proximity to Christmas, she wants him to have birthday celebrations at his 'half-birthday' in June.

Some friends naturally already bought him presents for his 'actual' birthday. How can she word the party invites to say that people shouldn't feel the need to bring a present if they already gave one (pref without suggesting to those who haven't already been generous that they shouldn't )?

OP posts:
Cappuccino · 31/05/2007 14:30

oh god what a stupid idea

nailpolish · 31/05/2007 14:30

whatever next

tassis · 31/05/2007 14:31

I would just say it as it is:

As this isn't X's actual birthday please don't feel any need to buy a present!

NotQuiteCockney · 31/05/2007 14:32

I think you have to say 'no presents' if you're saying 'no presents'. I can see a point to having a birthday party in the summer, but you can't say 'only get us a gift if you've not already got us one'.

Cappuccino · 31/05/2007 14:32

why can't she just have a summer party?

let him grow up himself and decide when he wants his own birthday fgs

tassis · 31/05/2007 14:32

I don't have a problem with them having a party at another time of year, but it's not a birthday party...Couldn't she just make it a summer party and settle for no gifts?

I'm up for parties for any reasons, but not the gifts (and therefor no thank you letters!)

nailpolish · 31/05/2007 14:33

everyone will just laugh at her ridiculous idea, sorry

Cappuccino · 31/05/2007 14:34

yes naily is right

it is your duty as her friend to tell her that she will be viewed as a loon

Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 31/05/2007 14:36

Well she's here with me now, so reading your responses has pretty much covered it .

OP posts:
nailpolish · 31/05/2007 14:36

my birthdya is always at easter and all i get are friggin easter eggs for gifts

please can i have a half birthday, say, August? and get lovely summery clothes instead?

can i can i can i can i????

nailpolish · 31/05/2007 14:37

Cantsleep, we all think a party is a great idea

you dont need a bloomin excuse to have a party

just have one for the sake of it

and eveyone will bring a bottle instead

Cappuccino · 31/05/2007 14:38

yes my birthday is near Christmas

mmm - june is tomorrow

all start sending me gifts and cards now

Cappuccino · 31/05/2007 14:39

ooh sorry cantsleep does she hate us?

'I'll ask my lovely friends on mumsnet'

and we will all abuse her

sorry

beckybrastraps · 31/05/2007 14:40

When I was little, we always had a special tea on half birthdays, and I do the same with my children. But no party and definitely no presents.

And my birthday is 30 December...

nailpolish · 31/05/2007 14:40

i hope shes not offended

but its good to be honest

enjoy the party

Cappuccino · 31/05/2007 14:42

if he doesn't like his birthday being so near to Christmas then he should decide later on when he's older

but some kids do like it, I've heard people say so on here, it means that the house is all decorated and it feels special

it seems a bit off to start making him feel that his real birthday is a bit crap - a bit more effort around Boxing Day I'd say is what's needed as he gets bigger

and I speak as someone with a near-Christmas birthday - I don't feel birthday-y in June, but I do want a bit of a fuss made in December

nailpolish · 31/05/2007 14:44
Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 31/05/2007 14:45

Awww, now you've come over all helpful!

Think she's taking the replies on board, at least a little.

You'd better not have done me out of a party invite though, or I'll be round to all of you for cake .

OP posts:
Cappuccino · 31/05/2007 14:46

i have been called harsh on here once this afternoon

I am trying out a new Softer Me

nailpolish · 31/05/2007 14:47

im hoping for an invite myself Cantsleep!!!

PrettyCandles · 31/05/2007 14:47

My sister used to 'celebrate' her half-birthday at Xmas. We all had to make a fuss of her, and give her jokey little presents, but it really was just a little family joke.

My dd, OTOH, who has a Xmas birthday, may have a half-birthday party in the summer if she likes when she's older. In which case, as she will not have received any birthday presents from her friends that year (not having had a birthday party around the time of her birthday) I don't see why she shouldn't have a proper party with proper presents. The only people who will have given her presents on her birthday will be family, so they won't give any for her half-birthday party.

nailpolish · 31/05/2007 14:47

Capp, you are soft as shite
i know you are

hana · 31/05/2007 14:49

I'd also call it a summer party with no reference to the birthday . decorate the house, have games, have a cake, but just call it a party

Cappuccino · 31/05/2007 14:52

when he's at school he can wait and have his tacky soft-play-area party in term time

Jenkeywoo · 31/05/2007 14:56

my dh's birthday is xmas eve and his mum and dad used to do a little birthday celebration in the autumn but it was more a family meal out type thing i think. I think that he actually does not miss out by having his birthday then as even now that he is 30 everyone makes a big effort to celebrate his birthday and my mum makes him a cake and stuff so it is different from xmas day - my birthday is in july and it is never fussed over so much! sob..

the only downside is he can never think of stuff he wants at xmas so gets more lovely boxed sets of evil dvd's like '24' - which he loves and i hate - then come may or june he's asking for summery stuff like hedge trimmers and other boys toys. So this year I made a pre-emptive strike and got him a wheelbarrow and mini greenhouse for his birthday!

Seriously though I do hope your friends little one has a lovely party - little people deserve to have a nice fussy birthday (or half birthday)