Christmas Birthday... X2

I know you already have several great responses, but I wanted to confirm what Leigh says about having the birthday party before the new baby comes and possibly always having them separately but before the Christmas rush starts. My great-niece's birthday is actually Christmas Day and my niece has been having the birthday parties the first or second week of December.

Honestly, if you can, celebrate his birthday before the baby comes (early - like Dec. 1). I had a baby this past year on Dec. 14 and I was just SO tired afterwards that I would not have felt like partying for my son until well into February. My breast ended up getting infected and I just felt miserable. Considering that you have no idea if you will complications from the birth, I would definitly try to do something before.

-L.

Since the birthdays are so close to Christmas - have just a small family affair with imediate family present. Then plan a 1/2 year party in June or July for each of them.

My birthday is 12/26 and my granddaughters is 1/3 and she shares that date with a cousin. ALWAYS have something on the DAY even if it is just family and a cake! I understand that you are expecting so make sure your family and close friends are on board to help.

As a child, they feel they don't get the attention as other children because they are overshadowed by Christmas. As far has having a party for his friends that can be done later, but make sure you ALWAYS have something special on his exact birthday.

And a side note - never let anyone give a Christmas gift and say it is for his birthday too. Children see other children getting both throughout the year and they don't understand.

Feel free to contact me - my mom has delt with this delima for the past 45 years (lol)!!

#1) - Enlist the help of freinds or grandparents to make the B-boy's day special. You have no idea what condition you are going to be in and that way he won't be lost in the shuffle. We had my in-law's make our eldest their focus when our second came along and it went a long way to assuring her that she wasn't being replaced.
#2 I had a friend with a near Christmas b-day (12/26) and she celebrated her half birthday's instead (6/26)- that way she didn't get any Christmas-birhday overlap.

My oldest son's birthday is December 18th. Week Before Christmas. My daughter's is January 27th. And my youngest is February 7th.

ALL of the kids have a separate birthday "celebration". It's what makes them each special. And I never did "half" birthdays either...although many suggested it.

With my oldest, I would bring what ever I could to the day care or school on the day of his birthday (some times it falls ont he last day of school before the holiday so they're more lenient)

ALso, you mentioned your son is turning 2. He won't remember he even had a party. So this year isn't a HUGE deal. Make it a family get together. Have it after you have your baby and are home. HAVE IT IN THE HOSPITAL so that your new addition can be a part of it. But otherwise don't sweat the 2nd birthday.

I never gave my relatives the option of combining presents. When they said it was for birthday/christmas I'd give them the option of picking the holiday themselves. But never did I give them the option of having a "combined" present. It's just not fair to the kid. (and yes, it irritates the cheapskates that didn't want to be bothered with bringing two gifts...can't help it)

And at two...they don't care about a party theme. Hav ethe family over. Have a random cake. Make sure he gets celebrated.

I think it's the PARENTS who make the "party" situation more complicated than it has to be.

Good luck and congrats on the new addition!!!

At his age he doesn't even know it is his birthday, until you have the cake etc. so this year if it wasn't ON his birthday, it would be fine, and also at this age a big party I don't think thrill them anymore than a fun time with family and a game and song , it will be hard to have something big anyway under your circumstances this year. I would try and have his party in the week or two of his birthday if possible, if not on the day. I had two boys whose birthdays were in Dec. three days apart, and I always had a cake for each of them on their day. I never had the big blow out parties I read about people having now, so can't help you on that part.

My daughters due date was christmas and she was born on the 19, my brothers is the 16 and mine is the 9th.
We have had one of my daughters parties in the summer instead lots of people got to come, then on her real birthday we just had a family thing! We have also had a party the weekend before christmas my daughters birthday is ushually the day school gets out for winter vacation!
We did chuckie cheese. We paid for pizza, tokens and drinks the rest of the stuff i brought. Pretty cheap and the kids have fun.
Best of luck!

Our twins are 11 days after Christmas so I completely understand. I generally have it the next weekend after their B-day sometimes 2. We always go out to eat on the actual day.

I try to send out invitations the week before Christmas. Especially if I am having the party right around their actual Birthday.

We have always done a theme party for their 2 yr party I think we did Blues Clues. But what ever you son likes. We try to play a game and do a craft. We have also done a dress up photo booth that goes with the theme of the party. and send the pics with the thank you notes. (now we print them while we are there)

For this year get as much done in advance as you can I start the end of Sept with buying things for the party that way it is not such a burden at Christmas. You could make it for 2 weeks after so that you would be able to be there. Also get lots of help from family and friends for this year.

For next year Use 2 rooms in your house or 2 area wherever you have the party and set up 2 themes. Let them share the day for a few years. Make each area their own. That way when each child is in their area they know it is for them presents and cake.

Also cupcake Cakes are the best no cutting, no plates, and no forks. That saves about $20 if you go with the theme plates. The best part is they cost almost the same.

Hope you have a great Christmas and congratulations!

Mom of 9 yr old Twins
Nat

I would keep it to a minimum this year- Have family over and some fun stuff to do together - Remember even the smallest event seem huge to a 2 year old and everyone aroudn you will understand - I have a 17 yr and 13 yr old and neither of them even remember their 2 yr old b'days!
Maybe a day of just you him dad and a few close family members- the aquarium and fun place to eat- evn if it is Chuckie Cheeses- This will be the last birthday that you actually get to just have with him so..... time togther is key - not the big event.-Maybe go to ICE at the Gaylord and ahve dinner afterwards- to a 2 year ols that's huge- the ice slide is amazing!-Also- home party...cant go wrong with bounce house!- I have referrals if needed.

For the future-Until they are old enough to ahve the different friends to invite- keep it simple- both celebratiosn at the same time with friends and famiy. That time of year is so busy that it would be hard to ahve two seperate events. Later when they have seperate riend parties- then maybe do that nad have bday cake when you are with family at Christmas.

Simple sweet and meaningful- thats the key!

If you do have a party at home- we may be of servie to you- We are host assistants- I can have a girl come over and tend to the kitchen - getting out the cake, picking up trash- tending to guest and do whatever it takes to minimize your stess- Awesoem for kdis parties- you get to actually be with the children during your own parties!

Good luck and lucky you! I have a 13 yr old girl and 17 yr old boy and love life! It goes by SO quick- I keep a journal of all the silly stuff and sad as well for them to have when they are older- and all the momentos- school projects and odd stuff I keep in Big Clear boxes and mark them as memory boxes for them to look through when they are older- Certificates go in a binder
Removes the clutter ordeal- jsut a little tip

D. Sansone
Party Angels Ltd.
www.partyangelsus.com
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My daughter, now 13, was born on December 27. We have always had her party on her birthday or the weekend of her birthday. She has a couple of close friends with bdays on, just before or just after Christmas. The friends usually have parties in the beginning of December.

I found that a lot of parents need a break by the 27th due to all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, new toys, family in town, etc and we always have a good turnout for our parties! I was shocked when she had about 100 friends from school turn out to her 13th bday bash this year. We have always had a heavy turnout on the 27th or within that day or so.

I do separate her Christmas gifts and bday gifts. Birthday is set up in another area of our house with bday decor and birthday paper.

It is a bummer sometimes with Christmas babies but you can work with it. I see your situation as being tough this year since you will more than have another little one. I don't know how you might deal with 2 bdays as far as 2 parties, 1/2 bdays, etc.

Christmas week is a biggie at our house due to Christmas, daughter's bday on the 27th and our anniversary on New Years Eve (20 yrs this year!!).

Best wishes with your little ones. They grow up too fast!!

My daugters birthday is exactly one week before Christmas, so I know your dilema. We usually have her birthday party just before the kiddos get out of school for Christmas vacation, that way no one is gone yet and we can still do something before the Christmas stuff actually starts. Now my grandsons birthday is Dec 26, so its really hard to get his in at the right time, I think we had his first birthday like the end of January, it was just easier.

Have you ever thought about have a sleep over or a special amusement park day? I know they're young now but get a box of ideas and use them later. I know that if at least get a cake and a special gift it will make all the difference. Christmas can be superficial gifts and great big or a more expensive or a more "special" gift can be saved for the birthday. My soon to be 8 year old loves to have a family night of games, and my other son love to go out to a nice restaurant. Maybe you can pick a day in the summer and have a half birthday or a non birthday birthday celebration. I let the kids pick something one year then go out the next. I hope I could help, or you get a lot of feed back. Have a great pregnancy.

My sister's birthday is 12/26, and people were really bad about calling her gifts "combined Christmas and Birthday." I read in a magazine about celebrating "half birthdays," so one year we surprised her with a half birthday party, complete with half a cake and other items fitting in with that theme. She's an adult now, but we always are sure to wrap her presents in birthday paper, not Christmas paper, and do a small family celebration on the actual day.

I had a child on Dec. 6. We NEVER put up any Christmas things until a week after his birthday -- I wanted to keep them apart. Perhaps you could take down all your Christmas things a few days before his birthday. (yeah -- like when you are 9 mo pg) Honestly, this year you might want to keep it pretty simple. Best wishes!!
A.

My son was born on December 29th and we actually did a small cake and just had my parents over on the actual day of his birthday and then in March we had his big birthday party. I imagine that he will always celebrate his birthday late because people are so limited with time over the holidays. Also, I don't want him to feel short changed on his birthday because it is so close to Christmas. I think it is important for each child to have his/her own special birthday celebration. You could always have a Gymboree or Little Gym birthday party if you don't want to have it at the house. I highly recommend having it somewhere else where you aren't responsible for the entertainment and clean up! I wish you much luck! I only have one December birthday to contend with and that is enough for me!

I'd plan something for about 2 months after the birthday (you will surely be past your 6 wks postpardum and will be more able to host it. He really won't know that it is not really his birthday until he is 3 or older.

Suggestion:
A friend of mine has a daughter born near Christmas. She hosts a pool party for her the first week of summer each year.

Make it fun! At 2, kids LOVE Space Walks. Look them up on the web: www.herecomesfun.com

Blessings,

P. <><

I know your feeling, my b-day is Jan 2nd which is also my Aunt's. I remember as a kid probably around age 5 - I asked my mom "Do I always have to share by b-day with Aunt B?" so I would make sure to seperate their parties as much as possible to make each of them feel special. On the other hand my nephew (6yr) and granddad (72yr) have thier b-day parties together and it seems to be working out ok. And I have a friend with twin boys (10yr) and they have had a swim party with all of their friends the past 2 years and they seem to work out ok. Point being that maybe your boys won't have such a problem combining their parties.

As for gifts- do NOT combine Christmas with B-day. As a kid this is very hard to understand why I didn't get 2 different things.

I noticed some responses suggested having summer b-day parties.... I never had that. I always had inside parties or pizza parties. Which in Texas you never know what the weather will be doing - an outside party may work out!

This year may be hard with the new baby coming all at the same time. having the party a little later would be fine I'm sure. You may want to really soup it up with whatever theme he is in to right now to make him feel REALLY special.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

I would suggest a couple days after the Christmas excitement has worn down that you decorate one room in the house in nothing but birthday deco and start the excitement for his birthday. Your friends and family know you are expecting so let them know ahead of time if you are trying to have a party and have them get in on helping you with it so if you are in the hospital or just getting home they will be there to help with the party. Since it is Christmas break you could get away with letting people know it will be one of a few days depending on when the baby comes. Take this opportunity to get everyone in on it. Assign each person to bring something and be ready for anything. At 2 they are still figuring out what a birthday is all about and he will be excited no matter how big or little you make it.

Both of my kids birthdays are in the summer, so personally, I don't know how I would handle it, but I have heard of people celebrating December birthdays in the summer so that the kid will have that one day that is all about them. Just a thought.

Frances