Opinions on celebrating 1/2 birthdays for December babies...

Megan - posted on 12/23/2012

A big fun outdoor party with games in the summer for their half birthday would be so unique and special. Maybe buy the party supplies in December and wrap them up as a gift. Then make a fancy certificate on the computer granting them an unbirthday party to be planned by your child.
A game I have played with large groups is "Indoor Snowball Battle" Divide group into two teams. Use masking tape to divide the room - Use two lines of masking tape separated by about 3-4 feet (so the kids cant smack someone on the other team when throwing) Team one behind the first line, team two behind second line...space in the middle is neutral. Give each team lots of newspaper, or tissue paper. Give each team three minutes to make the paper into "snowballs". Then countdown to start the snowball battle. Kids just whip the paper balls at the other side. When time is up everyone has to freeze. Then count the paper balls on each side the team with the fewest balls on their side wins. Have them throw balls into garbage can when counting.

Also this game is super fun http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043IE... for all ages. There are lots of clever group games for a party.

Kasha - posted on 03/25/2009

Exactly...Im a 22nd baby. I was probably the one kid in the family who was remembered on their birthday b/c my mom made such a point to make sure I had a cake and present on my birthday. I had a lot of ice skating parties, which is cool because I love ice skating. We also always got our tree the weekend before...so it always felt cool that our house was "decorate" for me!! It seems December became the month for celebration for us, my son is the 14th, and our anniversary the 18th....so just lots of cake and celebration!!! Now, my cousin does a July party for her son with his friends, but his birthday is actually the 25th.

Dawn - posted on 03/25/2009

My birthday is on December 12th, and growing up, my parents always made it a point to celebrate my birthday seperately from Christmas, and not to give me combo gifts. It also helped that my dad's birthday was 3 days later, so he understood how it felt to grow up having a December b-day. I have a friend who's birthday is on Christmas, so she always celebrates her half birthday since everyone is busy on that day. 

Misty - posted on 03/25/2009

I think that sounds like a plan as well.  When they get older, they can have b-day parties with their friends (more outdoor activites can be accomplished in the summer with less mess in my house) but maybe they will feel extra special because they will essentially have 2 birthdays in a year. 

Kim - posted on 03/23/2009

we're going to do the 1/2 birthday thing because our DD was born 12-30. we'll do a big party with friends in june and then on her actual birthday do a small family party.

Misty - posted on 03/23/2009

Thank you all for your input.  I really appreciate it.  They were born December 11th so I guess there are a few days inbetween to seperate Birthday's and Christmas.  I guess I'll have to start a birthday/C-mas savings account...December is going to be expensive!!!

Kate - posted on 03/23/2009

Both my husband and I have December birthdays, and we always make them two seperate occasions. When I was a child, I used to feel short-changed by any family member who tried to give me only one present to cover both days! If your birthday is in June you get two gifts and two big days, so why not December babies just because the two days fall a little closer together?



Good luck with whatever you decide, and your babies are gorgeous by the way, well done! :)

Rochelle - posted on 03/23/2009

my twins were born in Nov. Celebrate the day they were born on, it's important to let them know their actual birthdate IS important. I had another child born 3 wks after xmas...in the school hols which is alittle tricky re parties. However, still celebrate as family, late parties are a way of life when school resumes

Alexis - posted on 03/23/2009

hi

my birthday on the 20th dec.... my parents always gave me a birthday and christmas....

i never once had a combined gift or a combined celebration....

i love having my birthday with christmas.... i love christmas and it is my time of year....

i wouldnt take away from the actual day of their birth.....

everyone else celebrates birthday and christmas. why cant us dec babies do the same....

Mindi - posted on 03/22/2009

My sons birthday is December 19. Even though it means additional stress at that time, we feel it is important to honor him on his actual birthday (not 1/2 birthday). To make things easier, we often have his party a week or two before the actual day. Then on the day, he opens presents from us and his sister, and we have a special dinner or go out to eat. This works well for us.

Malinda - posted on 03/20/2009

It depends... I think they're great if the birthday is within a week of Christmas. My birthday is 12/29 and I never got one - and in fact never really had a birthday party at all. I would do it for my child under those circumstances. But if the birthday was December 10th... probably not so much.



As an alternative I have also heard the ideas of having a "birthday tree" in addition to a Christmas tree. One thing I would definitely say is to make sure that birthday gifts are *never* wrapped in Christmas paper - only ever birthday paper, and that the day is honored seperately from Chirstmas.