Wow, who knew there were so many Capricorns out there? But, seeing as how you have so happily volunteered the information, I have a question. Can there be a worse time for a birthday?
I suppose I'm making sweeping religious assumptions here, but isn't having your birthday around Christmas a complete nightmare? For the length of time it took us to get baby #2 on board, the idea of quibbling about her birth date seems both churlish and absurd (although the idea of a late December 'tax baby' is not to be sneezed at). I do know people who have abstained from 'trying' in late March/early April for fear of conceiving a Christmas baby. We also know someone born on Christmas Day, which is both unfortunate, and a distinct possibility for us.
What I was surprised at, is how many other people I know who are also knocked up and expecting at the exact same time as us. LK's tennis partner is due the day after us, for example. Why is this time of year so popular? We all know that there are a lot of September birthdays because there are a lot of drunk people gettin' busy around the holidays, but surely no-one would aim to have a baby over the holidays?
I can only assume that it's only after the deed is done - for most people - that you start to think about the timing of the birth. Poor old Anna is early June, which if we stay here is no big deal, but if we ever moved back to the UK it would mean her birthday would fall during exam time for her entire school and University career. Thanks Mum! On the plus side, it's far enough away from the holidays to not have the dreaded 'double present' issue, and it's a week after the Nordstrom half-yearly sale, so she always ends up getting fabulous clothes as gifts.
This creature is highly likely to make landfall within a two-week radius of Christmas. I know they are unlikely to let me 'go long' as Anna was so big last time, and she's a little more likely to be born early due to me gifting her with a dodgey umbilical cord, so keep your fingers crossed (and I shall likewise keep my legs crossed) that it's not Christmas.
That aside, is it miserable to have a birthday that close to the holidays? Are you doomed to receive double presents? Does no-one come to your party? Are people hastily removing the 'New Years knockdown' price-tags from your gifts? Am I being completely insane?
You're probably just glad to be here at all - as I should be with creature #2, but I can't stop wondering. What's the story?
11 comments:
The problem with having a birthday right after Christmas is that the stores are all cleared out, they are doing inventory. You wind up getting a Valentine gift. I should know!
I know a lot of people that have awkward birthdays: 4th September which means that you are constantly going back to school (in the UK anyway) on your birthday and if you want a birthday party you have to plan it in July before school breaks up. New Years Eve, at least for a child means that they can't have a proper party on their birthday, though fine when they are older. 2nd January, when people are just sick of enjoying themselves, going back to work and school, probably giving up drinking too.
My birthday is early December and I am never bothered that it is too near Christmas. In fact it means that the shops are just rammed with lovely things as well and people are starting to feel festive and jolly.
I'd avoid the joint presents but otherwise don't worry about it... if you give birth on Christmas Day how about an honorary birthday a week before?
um.. december 23rd girl over here *waves*
admittedly it sucks and you begin to doubt your friendships when people tell yout that "this is your combined birthday/christmas present". usually it's not exactly something great enough to warrant only one present. and I like presents, so give me some, please!
Some people also think it's funny to give you one piece of your present on the 23rd, the other on the 24th.
concerning b*day bashes: it is a bit difficult and demands some organisation skills. By now I'm having my parties about a week or two before (if at all), occasionally together with friends who have a birthdate near mine. And with my parents/close family I usually sit down for coffee and cake on the 23rd - but if it doesn't work out it's no biggie since I'll see them the next day anyways. And my girlfriend gives me my present on the 23rd.
It's actually not so bad, that way I get to spread my birthday out over a week or so :) Don't fret about it, because in the end every birthdate has up and down sides. Being born close to christmas just makes your birthday feel a lot more festive most of the time...
My dad's birthday is in January and honestly, we're all so gifted out his bday often is all-but-forgotten. My husband's bday is Dec 1st. Often he gets "part of a gift" then and the rest for xmas. I think if it were a child, it would be different because there are always more gifty things for kids--but bday parties might have to be done earlier or later. Now I'm curious when creature #2's actual dob will be!
Honestly? My birthday is in fact 31 December. It used to bug me until my friends pointed out that there is always a party. *dances*
The Christmas proximity was never a problem, except for the fact that I really never had birthday parties because we (or my friends) tended to be away visiting family or vice versa.
My DS has a friend whose birthday is the 20 somethingth of December. The way they resolved the issue, is he gives things AWAY on his birthday. On his birthday he chooses toys and books he no longer wants that are still in good condition and they give them to a local charity. As he gets older they will include some kind of community service along with the giving things away. Then sometime in June he celebrates his 'half-birthday' - party, presents, cake. The weather is much nicer for a party in their back yard. He's only 5, so I don't know how this will sit with him as he grows up, but so far so good!
I know lots of late Dec b-days (I'm an early Dec) and as kids most parents resolved this issue by doing the half b-day thing for their actual party I(in summer)& having family & close friends for dinner & cake on actual b-day. So they get 2 b-days.
My b-day is Dec 5th which can suck becuz it's the week after Thanksgiving and just as the X-mas season starts. It's hard to plan a party since everyone is geared up for the holidays or out of town becuz of family. My mom never allowed combo gifts and I was just far enough away that she was able to enforce it.
Do your X-mas shopping now (online) and you'll be set no matter how things go aroudn the holiday. ;-)
Talking about 4th of September (today- and my kids' 1st day back) - it's MY birthday. I wasn't too happy about having to get up so early, but as some people will know from my current post, I am rather happy that school has started again.
The astrology site I mentioned last post is Cafe Astrology dot com - you plug in some of your details and get a long report, much of which is alarmingly accurate.
I have a Christmas baby born 12/15...key is to have bday parties either a few weeks before or a few weeks after. Never had a problem. Just can't do on actual day. I also swore I would never have a summer baby living in Texas. Apparently I really suck at math bc it's a super bad idea to have sex on Christmas if you don't want to be pregnant when it's 100 degrees. Note to all in hot climates...holiday sex? Not your friend though it seems like such a good idea at the moment. :)
First of all, Congratulations! It's all good news and I'm glad all is working out and you're (hopefully) able to relax a little more now the major stress is out the way.
Second of all, not sure I can contribute much on the Xmas b'day front as I'm not sure what that's like - although it never really seemed to bother friends of mine when I was at school. Birthdays are never quite as awesome as Xmas when everyone is happy and crazy along with you....
But - I can say that as a June baby and a paid-up member of the Gemini clan, it was pretty annoying having exams on my birthdays. Now I'm old and wise(r, a little) though, it's great having a summer birthday.
Oh. That probably doesn't help ease your concerns with No. 2, but hopefully your concerns re possibly some day moving back to the UK with Anna are somewhat eased...
Summer birthdays seem to have been the biggest problem in our family. DD2 is mid-August. No one can ever come to her party because they're away and many family members forget it's her birthday because they are travelling too. This year, to add insult to injury, she had to spend the week of her birthday at marching band camp!
The Little Guy's birthday is near 4th July so we have to juggle that one too. At least at Xmas you only need to juggle a few weeks into January and then everyone's happy to be going to a party at that quiet time of year!
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