Christmas Birthday
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
United States
November 14, 2008 7:26pm CST
Do you or someone you know have a birthday near Christmas? Do you find it difficult to shop for their Christmas presents as well as their birthday presents?
My twins have a birthday mid-November, it's next Wednesday actually. On top of buying our Thanksgiving dinner, I also have to plan and throw a party for the twins, while trying to afford to buy Christmas presents for all 5 of my children, and my husband. Phew!
I planned a pool party for the twins, that cost me $150. The food is covered, but I have to buy a cake, another $20. But since the party isn't until a week or so after their birthday, I've planned a small family party at home for the day of their birthday. I got them each a small gift and an outfit, cost a total of $40 (I'm a thrifty shopper) plus I'm making a cake, $2. But then I have to buy cupcakes to send in to their class on their birthday, and they're in 2 seperate classes, $6 a dozen and I need 4 dozen!
Looks like our Christmas shopping is put on hold for a couple weeks until all the birthday stuff is over with!
Then, after Christmas is done, my youngest has a birthday on January 16. It will be his first birthday. So while we're still recovering from Christmas, I have to worry about throwing yet another party. Luckily the first few birthdays aren't nearly as expensive as the ones when they're in school!
1 person likes this
17 responses
@camomom (7535)
• United States
15 Nov 08
Yes, my fiances birthday is Dec. 23, my nephew's is Nov. 27, my mom's is Jan. 25 and my best friends twins birthday as Nov. 1. It's very hard buying for them and planning things for them. What do I give for Christmas and what do I give for their birthdays? Will I have the money to do both for all of them? I know how you feel.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I don't worry so much about adults. For my husband I just make him a cake, and if I can afford a gift, I get one, if not, he doesn't care. The only thing he wants every year is my homemade lemon cake. It means something to him, cuz his mom only ever made bundt cakes, and drizzled icing over it. That was her idea of a birthday cake. He doesn't usually expect a gift, so whatever I get him is surprising, even if it's stupid like socks.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I just don't think adults need gifts really, gifts are more important to kids. You can celebrate a birthday or holiday without spending a lot of money on presents. Adults should understand, because we all know times are tough.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I worry about my "adults" because my mom is my mom and my dad. We didn't get along when I as growing up so I need her to know that I do love and appreciate her. My fiance never really had a birthday growing up so I do for him because I feel his life needs to be celebrated and not put on the back burner to another holiday.
@dncmanning (770)
• United States
15 Nov 08
You really seem to have your hands full, God bless you.
My boys birthdays are March and May- so we get to spread it out, which is a great financial treat for us.
My sister's oldest sons B-day is Dec 16 and she is always very busy in the month of Dec. because school is out most of the month- the party falls just a week maybe two before Christmas and like you she has the party at school, at home, and with the family. So I have seen how busy that can make a Mom. One year she actually had to do the Chirstmas party treat bags at school for the class party on top of everything else. I couldn't imagine.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
16 Nov 08
My oldest son's birthday is in May.. but that's no easier. My anniversary is a week before his birthday, my birthday is a day before his, and it's the same week as Mother's day. Sometimes his birthday is on Mother's day. It's usually a tough month for us because we're trying to plan for his birthday, but we also want to get each other something for the anniversary, and try to go out to dinner or something. My birthday is usually over looked every year, but I'm ok with that.
My toddler's birthday is in June. He has it the best. No holidays around his birthday at all, nothing to have to buy. Plus it's warm out that time of year so I can have an outdoor party for him with water balloons and whatever else.
@dncmanning (770)
• United States
16 Nov 08
You deserve an award for all that- I would probably pull my hair out. The worst we really have is Nov with Thanksgiving and our anniv being Nov 23 always makes for a stressful time of year.
June seems like a vacation for you- enjoy it.
@us2owls (1681)
• United States
15 Nov 08
My youngest daughter was born on Christmas Day. Her 2 sisters birthdays were in June and July. Although at first we had birthday cake and she got a birthday present - always after Christmas Dinner - she felt like she didn't have a birthday - so when she was about 4 I traded birthdays with her - mine was in May - on my birthday she got to celebrate her birthday and this made her feel not left out. The only thing she got on December 25th was a birthday card. It worked out really well.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
15 Nov 08
That is sweet, and I'm sure it makes no difference to her, so long as she gets a birthday at some point.
@littleone3 (2063)
•
15 Nov 08
Yes i do my second youngest son birthday is on the 21st December four days before Christmas. Not very well timed on my part.I always make sure that he gets separate birthday and Christmas present as i feel it is not fair to lump them into one.
He will be 8. The problem is that it is really hard to find a party venue for his birthday as at this time of year every one tends to be doing Christmas parties and not birthday parties.
So we usually do something at home for him.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
15 Nov 08
While pregnant for my youngest, who was born mid-January, I was terrified I was going to go early and have a near Christmas baby. I was worried of the same things you are. My doctor mentioned that both his girl's birthdays are in december, but he has their birthday parties in the summer. I didn't like the idea of that for my own kid, but that's me. Perhaps you could use an idea like that... have his party some other time, a month before or after his birthday.
@littleone3 (2063)
•
15 Nov 08
That is a good idea but it would have to be about a month before hand as i have two birthdays in January already my brothers on the 18th and my nieces on the 25th.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
15 Nov 08
Yes I know someone who has a birthday very near to christmas, in fact it is my youngest daughter. She will turn 3 on december 27th she planned that well ah? I always said from the day she was born that I would never lump her christmas and birthday pressie into one and I never have I make sure that she has her christmas presents and then a good birthday present. This year she is getting a Dora the explorer chopper bike, you should see it, it is well cool! it has tassles and a horn and everything she is going to love it and it will be her first proper bike as well. We have a set budget for their birthday presents and I have always stuck to it, but hers broke the budget a bit so dont tell the others!
I also have a ruck of birthdays leading up to christmas as well, my sister in law has hers on november 22nd then my hubbys is november 24th. My niece has one on the 10th december and then my other nieces is on december 31st! I think I have two or three in January so it is a dear time of the year for us.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
15 Nov 08
Well it's a good thing you budget so well. Personally I probably would not buy gifts for my sis in law, and hubby usually never expects anything for his... although it's in Sept so not a huge deal. Luckily we don't have much family other than us and the kids... his parents don't expect anything for their birthdays but a card.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
15 Nov 08
There are lots of birthdays in our family near Christmas. My birthday if Dec 14th. Our daughter was born Dec 28th and said for years we kept part of her Christmas for her birthday, which we didn't. Then she has two boys - her oldest will be 20 on Dec 4th, another will be 15th on Dec 11th, and her youngest will be 13 on Jan 4th. At least her daughter's birthday won't be until March 11th! A little bit of relief! I'm glad I don't have any children in school to worry about. My son's oldest son was 10 on November 7th. Although he's not that close to Christmas, they still have to plan for him and his birthday at school. I feel for you all.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
15 Nov 08
Wow that's a busy month. Your family definitly has it worse than mine. That's a lot of gifts and parties to plan. Luckily it's not as huge of a deal as they get older. They don't really have the school celebrations or big parties anymore, so that's less of a financial burden.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I didn't mention that my husband's birthday is Saturday week, Nov 22nd. But we don't do presents - maybe go out to eat. My daughter has never had what you call and out and out birthday for her kids except one. It's usually a family get together when they were younger. And now, with the older two, they usually invite their boyfriend/girlfriend and a few others and have a bonfire and either pizza or hotdogs and cake. It's no big deal with them - just fun. We've never made a big deal out of birthdays. But my daughter-in-law does, and I really don't approve of it, considering her child needs absolutely NOTHING! He has way to much because he is 10 years older than his brother who is only 4 mos old tomorrow. And he's been given way too much because he was his other grandparent's only child until this past July. He's going to expect it for the rest of his life. Can you say - $600 for a used piano (it is an electric one in excellent shape) for birthday and Christmas? AND I can tell you she will still get him something else. I sent him a card with $10! Times are too tough to go all out on birthdays with Christmas staring you in the face.
@1grnthmb (2055)
• United States
15 Nov 08
My birthday is the day after Christmas. I hated it. I rarely had a birthday party because people were always gone for the holidays. People would give me a Christmas present and say this is both your birthday and Christmas present. It was not very enjoyable.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
15 Nov 08
not really before christmas but its after and before new year..my second child's birthday is on the 29th of december...though i dont have the difficulty on the christmas shopping for her....but during new year i had to prepare something and on her birthday as well atleast just a get together for the family and her friends...which means i had to spend more money on this date...in one week time i had to planned for three events (that is including the 25th of december)..
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I'm glad I have a bit of time between the holidays, otherwise I don't think I would be able to do any of it.
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
15 Nov 08
Monday is my granddaughters birthday and she will be one, she lives with is so yes I know the overwhelming feeling of trying to have so much to do in such a short time. The on the 27th of December is our other granddaughters birthday, we have legal guardianship of her so yep she is ours. She has lived with us her whole life and will be 2 on the 27th.
So I will be making a cake and stuff 2 days after cooking Christmas dinner! They are both worth it but until now before and after these holidays it was easy. LOL!
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
15 Nov 08
My kids birthdays are both in January. I try to get them a decent amount of stuff for Christmas without spending a lot of money. They normally only get one or two smaller gifts for their birthday's. Not because of a lack of money, but because they really do not need a lot of stuff. They get spoiled all year long.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
15 Nov 08
Well I have a cousin who born on christmas day. When I am buying gifts I just brought one that can be utilize for the birthday and christmas. Persons who has the situation like you will wait on the last birthday and just do one big thing. They say that it is most economically maybe you need to think about doing something like that. Well the birthday presents you can give to them but the party you can just has one.
@Wordplay (239)
• Canada
16 Nov 08
Happy birthday to your twins! This definitely sounds like a very busy time for you.
I can understand how it feels. My children were born 3 years and 4 days apart. My son was born November 29 and my daughter on December 3. Two birthdays in one week can really be a crunch with time and money, especially when Christmas is less than one month away.
Here in Canada, our Thanksgiving happened in October (the same day as Columbus Day in the US). Although I love the way Americans celebrate Thanksgiving--it seems to be a much bigger holiday than it is here--I am also somewhat relieved to not have that extra holiday to plan for.
I have been discussing birthday plans with both my kids over the past couple of weeks (once they came down from their sugar high from Halloween). I have had to modify some of their elaborate plans for birthday celebrations. And until the end of the year I will have to constantly remind them that they cannot expect extra treats when we go out shopping. Any money that is put towards treats comes straight out of the Christmas budget! Hopefully the kids are finally starting to understand.
@melvelasco (356)
• Philippines
15 Nov 08
my youngest daughters (triplet) celebrate birthday on Dec 22. It was so tiring and feeling more exhausted. It was really expensive, before christmas we have to celebrate their birthdays it was really busy month.
@katrhina23 (1282)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I have a nephew whose birthday is the 24th of December. Well his parents never bothered and got worried about throwing a party for him since we always have celebrations at home.
The advantage of having such birthdate is that he is sure he receives presents. The disadvantage is that he gets one only. Unlike other kids, they get one for their birthday and one for christmas. poor little boy . LOL
@orevro (715)
• Philippines
15 Nov 08
I know a lot of people whose birthdays are in december, i even know one whose birthday is on deember 25,:) as for shopping for their presents,since i'm on a budget.. I make their presents for christmas and birthday a one time deal,lol
@mykmari_08 (2464)
• Philippines
15 Nov 08
Well, if my memory still serves me right, I only know three people who celebrate their birthdays in the month of December. First, the only child and daughter of one of my officemates was born on Christmas Day. When she celebrated her first birthday in a local Jollibee outlet near our residence, my spouse and I attended the event. She's turning four next month but we don't have to make such a big fuss about it because normally, she isn't a close acquaintance and she's not even going to celebrate it here. Her mom and dad decided to have an out-of-town trip with her in time for her birthday.
Another female officemate's daughter is also celebrating her birthday on Christmas Day and just like the one I mentioned earlier, I don't know her personally so I don't have to celebrate it with her as well.
But the only person whom I used to love celebrates his birthday on the eve of Christmas Day. If I remember correctly, we never got to celebrate it together because I was always with my parents and siblings in the province; while my former boyfriend and I worked in the city.
@Nhey16 (2518)
• Philippines
15 Nov 08
my daughter's birthday is on the 18th of December, and my son's birthday is on the 30th of January... we usually ask them what they want as their Christmas present and their birthday gifts, so we really don't have any difficulty thinking of what will be their gifts.
