Separating birthday from Christmas

Cassandra - posted on 05/22/2012

This is so TOUGH, isnt it?! My little girl is actually ON Christmas Eve, so I totally feel you!! Last year what we did was celebrate her birthday very privately, just with us with a cake, let her have a few gifts, etc. and then in mid-january is when we decided to have her birthday party at a local bouncehouse place, she had a blast and I think it really helped with separating the birthday from Christmas, I hope this helps!

Hillary - posted on 05/22/2012

My son's b-day is dec. 23rd. due to his older brother being a May baby (and now his younger sisters being January and August babies) I felt it was unfair to do half-birthdays as the summer ones don't get half birthdays. So instead, we always do a major birthday celebration before winter break in school, we started this with his first birthday so as not to need to change our routine once he was in school. His party usually falls on the second Saturday of december. We do not do any Christmas decorating or Christmas anything really, until after his party. Which so far has worked with our original routine of getting our tree on the weekend after the first big snowfall. For some reason the first big snowfall usually falls so that we go get our tree the day after his party. So as not to lose the specialness of his actual birthday, we have a small family gathering on his actual day. Only family is invited, we have a little dinner with a cake and celebrate with those we love the most! Even though the decorations are up that day, he knows it is his special day and our family totally focuses on him and not the holiday. He is now 7 and never has anyone tried to combine his birthday and Christmas. I figure when he is older and asking for much more expensive gifts, and he can start to understand more, we may explain that if he wants a gift that costs more than I'm willing to spend on either holiday alone, he may have to take a combo gift for Christmas and Birthday. But that will be his choice. As for gifts, we never stick to winter related gifts, you can get outside summer toys for a steal in the winter, we will give him summer toys amidst the other gifts so that come summer, when his siblings get new summer toys for birthdays, he has something he can play with. As far as I know, he has never felt like he is missing out being so close to Christmas.

Magin - posted on 12/14/2009

My niece was born on the 22nd of dec and she hates unwrapping gifts now so when i found out i was due on the 24th i freaked that would suck horribly... i actually had my baby on the 15th but instead of wrapping all of his gifts i was going to ask that people do bags for his bday and wrap xmas gifts

Gillian - posted on 12/14/2009

Have a regular birthday with balloons and cake and icecream or whatever is the norm for your family to celebrate birthdays, and try not to host it in the same room as the tree :P
Have a special dinner on the day, then have a party on the weekend. I'm sure family will enjoy coming to his party reguardless if Christmas is just around the corner...
My son turns 1 on the 27th, I'm going to have troubles trying to seperate the two special occations.... but my 8yr old has his b-day the day before Halloween and he enjoys having halloween themes sometimes, but other times he wants just a regular party. When your son is old enough to understand, he will let you know what he likes too, and you can do what makes you happy until then :) enjoy him, and dont worry, just have fun, I think as long as he can stuff his face into a cake he will be just as happy as possible...

Rachel - posted on 12/13/2009

my sons birthday is the 20th of december but i just had it last week so his birthday and christmas werent so close 2geather

Breanne - posted on 12/09/2009

My daughter, Harper, will be having her 1st birthday on Dec 22nd, and my Husband and I have thought about this a lot, and this year we are having a little party on her actual b-day (a tuesday this year), just grandparents, aunts and uncles... and we are wrapping b-day gifts in b-day paper. Next year however we are going to to the half b-day thing in June sometime, so when she is old enough she can have her friends at a party, and not have everyone gone on holiday break. As far as gifts we were thinking of giving her most at the summer party ( so we can mix toys/clothes/anything else she needs in every 6 months!), but still giving her 1 gift on her actual birthday, so she still knows it is her special day. We hope this works well for us, and I hope you find something that works for your family!

Lisa - posted on 12/09/2009

My daughter's birthday is Dec. 29th. I had her B-day party on the 5th at Chuck E Cheese. I'm not sure if the location was the best idea. She seemed scared and then fell asleep. Christmas tree was bought that same night and decorated the next day. We will celebrate her actual birthday with just family (her grandparents). Good Luck!

Jessica - posted on 12/07/2009

We do toys for birthday, clothes for christmas. Helps to distinguish a bit.

Michele - posted on 12/03/2009

My daughter's birthday is always on Thanksgiving weekend (nov 27) and my son's birthday is Dec 17. I found with my daughter that getting all those toys in basically a month was totally overwhelming and hard on the cash flow for us so we have her birthday party earlier in November for her friends and then our family celebrates Christmas and her half birthday in the summer - we plan to do something similar for our son. His 1st birthday party is actually this weekend with a monkey theme and he will get one present from us and then presents from friends - I ask our family to not get any birthday presents but to wait until the half birthdays in the summer when they will have tired of the Christmas toys and will be needing clothes and things for summer. It works well for us and the kids end up celebrating two birthday's a year and they get plenty of presents. Also I don't think there is any problem with having the birthday party earlier in December or waiting until January for kids with birthday's during the holiday season. I think parents appreciate it since the schedule is overwhelming enough this time of year and the kids don't care as long as they get their party. That's how we have made it work for us - feel free to take, modify or ignore any of our ideas! :)

Andrea - posted on 12/02/2009

My girl turns one on Christmas day. We are celebrating her bday the day before with cake and bday pressies.(waters broke on xmas eve&thts her great nanas bday too so it is special otherwise). When shes older im going to try midyear so june for "Taylas day"and explain to her why this day is special. Will do her 1st bday party in jan with her buddies.hmm our poor Christmas bubs. im determined not to cheat her out of prezzies :-)

Amanda - posted on 12/02/2009

My son will be 1 tomorrow! We not only have a Dec. baby, but it's a week after Thanksgiving and 3 wks before Christmas! I think it is VERY important to seperate all of the celebrations. "Summer" babies get to seperate each individually, so my December baby will as well! =) Everyone in our family is very understanding, and willing to celebrate several wknds in a row! Good luck to you

Nicole - posted on 12/02/2009

Well present wise you can have everyone get him a birthday present and you can just get him Christmas presents. That will cut down some of the costs for you, and he'll still get plenty of stuff. My son's bday is the 8th and I had an early party for him in November because I was visiting family back home they wouldn't be here for his real bday. I didn't get him anything, he got presents from everyone else. I'll be getting him stuff for Christmas. And if he gets something from everyone else for his birthday, he won't ask for a ton of stuff at Christmas!

Brittni - posted on 12/02/2009

My sons 1st birthday is December 30. We have decided that every year ON his birthday we will take him to Disney World. We will also be having a party with friends the weekend after, January 2. It is very hard to seperate Christmas and his birthday, so having a tradition that he can look forward to every year, seemed like a great idea!

Leticia - posted on 12/01/2009

I love Christmas and was really worried this year about putting Christmas decorations up, but I started realizing that Makenzie was so into the Christmas lights on other peoples houses as we passed by them, that I decided to go on and put Christmas decorations up. I figure that when she gets older she will tell me yes or no to putting them up before her birthday. My daughters birthday is on the 9th and we have had Christmas lights up since Sunday. She LOVES them.



We are doing a lady bug theme becaue I call her my lil ladybug.



We will ALWAYS do her birthday and Christmas seperate, but that until she asks me other wise I will keep putting my decorations up the weekend after thanksgiving

Sandy - posted on 12/01/2009

I said this on a different question, but I here you go again. You cannot expect everyone to not do the whole birthday/christmas thing. I know it sucks to have a december baby for that reason only. I have decided that I have to make my daughters birthday (Dec. 19th) part of our Christmas Family Tradition. There is no way to avoid it so you might as well be okay with it now and make the best out of it. I decorate and them all the christmas decoration get party hats or streamers.

Heather - posted on 12/01/2009

my sons is the 9th so we are waiting to put up the Christmas tree till after his bday. We are also going to get him one bigger present for his bday and one bigger one for Christmas. and then do little things on Christmas like stocking stuffers. I dont really know anything else especially those with bdays days within Christmas

Elizabeth - posted on 11/30/2009

I actually have the exact same problem and the only thing that I can suggest to make sure that the two are separate is to put off putting up your christmas tree until after his birthday. Make sure that as he grows he understands that his birthday is really special and that it's even more special because it's so close to Christmas. I'm having my son's big party the weekend before and then a small family one on his birthday while also celebrating our family christmas at the same time. Lots of fun.

Kelsey - posted on 11/30/2009

My son was born the day after Christmas. So I'm thinking having his party on his due date which was January 2nd, at least this year. I don't know what I'm going to do in the future though...

Jessica - posted on 11/29/2009

let me know what you think of, mine turns one 5 days after christmas and its impossible to have everything from christmas down by that time to make it extra special for him, ugh, gonna be a challenge!

Andrea - posted on 11/29/2009

My daughter was born on Christmas Eve. We're having a brunch with family & close friends. I'm going to pull out my mom's old flowered china to use- so it will be girly & not Christmas plates. Gifts will be wrapped in birthday paper, not Christmas paper. As she gets older we'll still probably do a family brunch for her birthday & if she wants to have a friend party, she can have it the weekend before her birthday. We don't do anything else on Christmas Eve, so when she's older she can choose something else fun to do with the family after the brunch.

We went ahead & put up our Christmas decorations, so they will be up for her birthday.

I'm very excited to have a Christmas baby. I think it's such a special time of year to have a baby. I was listening to some Christmas music the other day & got teary thinking about it.

Shilo - posted on 11/29/2009

My Son has his birthday on the 27th Dec (will be 1 already!!!) and we are having a BBQ on the 12th (as my father-in-law is having an operation on the 16th and will be bedridden for a few weeks after) but our intent for when Keegan is older is a party first weekend of Dec and in the meantime we will suss it out next year to see if we will do it the weekend after Christmas or before. As for a non-Christmas themed party, just set a theme!

Morgan - posted on 11/29/2009

find a fun theme that he would like. if there is a certian cartoon or character he like use that. Just because his birthday is close to christmas doesn't mean it has to be christmas. My daughter turns 1 on the 3 and we are doing a troll theme so it is bright colors and fun so she can learn the difference between christmas and birthday. Go ahead and put up a christmas tree if that is tradition...dont change things just for the baby he will enjoy the lights and ornaments. Im having my daughters party away from the house, so you can try that to if its an option

Angela - posted on 11/28/2009

I too am having "wonders" on how we're going to do this??? My Son was Born Christmas Night....I know for sure with "us, just the family" that Christmas Morning will be for "Christmas" and we'll figure out a time in the afternoon to switch it from Christmas to "Bradley's Birthday" and make sure it's all about him for the evening....as for a Party..I haven't figured that one out yet...I was thinking half birthday's as well, but we live in AZ so it's Blazing Hot...?????? I'm at a loss ??????

Kelly - posted on 11/24/2009

Wow, I was worried what to do for my Son's 1st Birthday, it's 7th Dec, now I realise I'm lucky as some of you have later babies! My partner suggested Colchester Zoo, then few weeks after to decorate for Christmas. I've been running around getting his Christmas presents and forgot his Birthday ones, how bad am I LOL
I don't think it matters too much when so young but as he gets older we will need to think about it more.

Diana - posted on 11/23/2009

My daughter's birthday is on the 22nd. We are actually planning two parties for her. One party is with a few friends with December birthdays as well--early in December. The family party will be the weekend before X-mas. In the future, I plan to have a birthday party for her in early December to separate X-mas and her birthday and to make sure she has friends in town to attend.

Also, I have 2 nieces with December birthdays as well. I always send separate packages (separate from the X-mas gifts) addressed to them with their birthday gifts in them. That's an idea you can pass on to your family (especially if they live out of town like mine do).

Shawnali - posted on 11/23/2009

My son was born on Christmas Morning which kinda sucks. For the first few years we only have small family gatherings and it will be the week before Christmas. As he gets older Im just going to let him pick his day up to 6 months before and go from there.

Ally - posted on 11/23/2009

My son's birthday is on the 29th, so we will take everything down and gear up for a birthday. When he gets older, I may do the party thing in January, that way all the holiday festivities are over and we can differentiate the holiday from the birthday :)

Debbie - posted on 11/23/2009

My daughters 1st b-day is the 9th, and we are just throwing her a regular 1st birthday party. Her original due date was the 19th, and I would have done the same thing if she were born on that day instead. My birthday is 12/26, so I know how difficult it can be to have a birthday so close to Christmas, but my parents always treated it like it was a regular birthday.

Natasha - posted on 11/23/2009

My son will be 1 on the 30th. We have decided we will take everything Christmas down on boxing day and get geared up for his birthday. I don't think seperating his birthday from Christmas is going to be the most difficult, I think it is trying to think of another good present for his birthday every year.

Lori - posted on 11/20/2009

My son will turn 1 on December 19. I am going to celebrate his birthday each year on the weekend before the weekend before Christmas (this year that is Dec. 12-13). I haven't decided yet whether to decorate the house for Christmas, but I probably will. Of course I will have all the birthday decorations, too. My niece was born on December 23 and her birthday is always celebrated the first weekend in December. So it will be a busy family time for us! I think the most important thing to do is keep the birthday and Christmas holidays separate so that the child does not feel cheated from having a birthday so close to Christmas. And most important - have fun! :)

Rachael - posted on 11/19/2009

my daughters birthday is christmas eve. im gunna put a cover over the christmas tree and take down all wall and celing christmas decorations and put up birthday ones, there will be no diference to any normal birthday.

Angela - posted on 11/19/2009

Hello, my daughter Joelle is also turning 1 on the 19th of December.

We have having her party on the 6th, afterwards we will start getting ready for Christmas. All of our family and friends were very understanding. Good Luck and remember have fun..... Angela

LaJonee' - posted on 11/18/2009

My son is going to be one on the 17th and we decided to take the family to chuckie cheese and put up Christmas decorations after his birthday, just so he will grow up separating the two as well. If his siblings can have a birthday separate from Christmas than he should too.

Christal - posted on 11/18/2009

Quoting Hannah:

My daughter's birthday is Christmas Day. I'm lost.

Hannah, my bday is on Christmas and as a child I always had a lot of presents, but no real parties to remember and as an adult friends tend to skip over the birthday part and we just exchange Christmas gifts.  Have you thought of half birthday celebration's in the future and giving her a party in June? That was going to be my plan if OJ had been born on Christmas. For now maybe a celebration the week before? Good Luck!

Nicole - posted on 11/18/2009

My daughter's birthday is Dec 17th we are celebrating on the 12th this year. Next year I'm going to do something small to honor her b-day then do the half b-day.

Dusti - posted on 11/18/2009

We are just going to wait to put up the X-mas decorations after her party. But otherwise I am at a loss.

Hannah - posted on 11/18/2009

My daughter's birthday is Christmas Day. I'm lost.

Christal - posted on 11/17/2009

Hey Emma, I've decided not to put up Christmas decorations until after my little ones B-day.

Leanne - posted on 11/17/2009

My son is turning 1 on Dec. 5th. I ALWAYS decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. But, I will also be decorating for his birthday (a monkey theme). I don't think it really matters when, where or how you celebrate a birthday, just as long as your child is the center of attention. 30 years from now I don't think my son will be upset because there was a Christmas tree up during his birthday celebration, as long as he has fond memories of birthday parties that were all about him! :o)

Jessica - posted on 11/17/2009

Neat!!! My baby bpy turns 1 on that day also..I thought having a party at somewhere like Pizza Hut or McDonalds would be great...it keeps it seperated from the holiday and you don't have to clean up!!!

TRE - posted on 11/15/2009

My daughter was born on Christmas Eve I was also trying to see how i would do the Christmas and Birthday things so i came up with Im going to have her party the 2 weekend before Christmas. So this year it will be on the 12th of Dec. Im a have a Princess party for her. I like to put up my Christmas stuff up right after Thangiven but this year Im a TRY to wait until after I have her Party if Im going to have it at home or I might rent out the Club house at my Apartment and have her party there.

Nur Alfin - posted on 11/15/2009

i have the same problem...my daughter was born Dec 22nd 3 days before Christmas, i think i will do the party Dec 19 or 20...after we celeberate Hannukah.

Michelle - posted on 11/15/2009

My daughter was born on the 17th and we're having a party for her on the 19th. My house will be decorated for Chirstmas, but I still plan to decorate for her party as well. I think we're doing a Princess party for her and the dining room will be the "Birthday Room" which will only have a few Christmas things in it anyways- so I'll just move them out until the party is over. Mainly just family this year for us as well.

Lydia - posted on 11/15/2009

Our daughter is only a few days before xmas. We are having a family dinner for her birthday and then just the three of us will go for a trip to the zoo. When she is old enough for actual parties we are thinking of having them on her half birthday so it will be easier for her friends to celebrate with her - but on her actual birthday we will keep it as a family affair.

Ashley - posted on 11/14/2009

My son was born 2 days after Christmas, so we're trying to figure out how to separate birthday and Christmas also...

Kayleigh - posted on 11/14/2009

my sons birthday is 2 weeks before xmas we will just be having a tea party with a few baby friends, no tree up till the weekend after his bday then its xmas!

Becky - posted on 11/12/2009

My son's birthday is the 17th and my plan is to have his party on the Sat. following (not holiday related) and then put up the decorations on Sunday. As much as I have always loved decorating as soon as Thanksgiving was over, I want him to feel the specialness of his day. Not that he cares this year or anything...

Erin - posted on 11/12/2009

Well let me tell ya, I have TWO kids in Dec! Can you imagen that? That was not the plan. I have a Dec 16th and a Dec 12th. Go figure. For my oldest who will be 8 , I usually do her party the weekend before her b-day. I know its difficult for parent to let children attend parties right before X mas, so I try to get the party done before its too close to the holiday. But my baby will be 1 on the 12th, so I need to figure out a future plan for him. It will be a challenge.