When I first met my husband and we were still in the ‘young and in love’ phase, we laughed when we realised that our birthdays were within a few days of each other. We are very similar and think in very similar ways, so of course it was meant to be. Back then, it didn’t matter, we spoilt each other rotten and described it as our ‘birthday week’ and it was lovely.
As we shared a collective love of Christmas, December was our special month and when we got engaged (in December) we decided that it was only natural to get married in December too.
As the children came, December became busier and suddenly the month was filled with Christmas things for the children. We still celebrated our birthdays but as the children grew, our birthdays became less important.
When I fell pregnant for the last time, my husband and I knew that this would be the last child and we both smiled at each other knowingly when we were told the due date. December of course. As I was having a C-section, I was told that she would be born on My birthday, the 11th. I didn’t mind but one of the consultants did. Oh no, we needed separate birthdays, so the date was moved to the 10th. Two days after Daddy’s and one day before mine.
Birthday week changed from then on. A’s birthday takes precedence of course and I wouldn’t want it any other way but by the time we have made a fuss of Daddy’s birthday, had parties and presents for A’s birthday, I am pretty much birthdayed out by the time we get to mine.
This year was no different. It was Daddy’s 40th so we made a big fuss and gave him 40 presents for his special day. A was 5 which isn’t known as a significant birthday but it is now. A has been waiting to be 5 forever and for some reason, being 5 represents being a proper big girl. Presents, parties, and then mummy went to London on her birthday. On her own. It was bliss. That was quite a nice birthday and I really enjoyed it.
There are some disadvantages to having three birthdays in December though. Ridiculous amounts of cake. Yes, I know that doesn’t sound like a disadvantage but you really can have too much cake. Where to put the cards is another. Three sets of birthday cards plus all of the Christmas cards that have started arriving, is a huge stress. We have lines upon lines in our living room and we rotate who gets to put their cards on the mantelpiece yearly, so that each of us has a turn (you wouldn’t think this would matter, but my children have memories like elephants and remind me whose turn it is each year). The cost is also an issue. I dread to think how much we spend in an average December with Christmas and birthdays.
When I have discussed this with friends, they suggest one of us having a celebration in the summer but that wouldn’t be the same would it? I have suggested going on holiday for two weeks in December but that isn’t really practical with school and work. For now, we just have to accept that there are too many birthdays in December and look forward to the calm of January. Except.. hang on, there is another birthday in January too.
There really are too many birthdays.
I am not surprised you are birthdayed out – I struggle enough with where to put all the cards and too much cake in August as my eldest and youngest have birthdays 3 days apart – that’s without chucking another birthday and Xmas into the equation! Syd was 13 days overdue and Betsy ordered me to not give birth in her birthday as she didn’t want to share, luckily for her he was stubborn and stayed put until forcibly evicted 3 days later!
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It’s amazing how many of us have family birthdays close together. I love that she thought you had any control over when Sydney was born. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?
In the summer it’s my fella’s and my 2 girls birthdays all in the space of about 16 days…Plus they have the excitement of going back to school after the summer holidays….
I don’t think I could do birthdays so close to Christmas though…hehehe
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We have one birthday in the summer holidays which is lovely, except it makes organising a party difficult. It’s funny how many families have birthdays close together
Wow Happy Birthday wishes to you all… can’t imagine how you fit everything in with Christmas as well! September is our hideous month with Mr and twin daughters celebrating just four days apart!
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Oh my you have the same problem in September then. I suppose it gets them all out of the way bug it makes for an expensive month doesn’t it?
Happy belated birthday to you all! It does sound rather stressful! I wouldn’t have even considered the issue with the cards, but it must be a nightmare finding space for them all.
We have two birthdays 15 days apart in June and even that seems a bit close to me! My niece’s birthday is 27th December and my mum is always saying she should have a summer party to get away from Christmas, but that would then impact on my eldest’s birthday (27th June!).
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Thank you. Yes O went to nursery with a boy who was born on 25 the and he celebrated in the summer. It’s not quite the same though to me.
On my side of the family we are December babies with mine, both my siblings, my mum, my Granny, my Nanna, two cousins, an aunt and an uncle as well as a couple of friends all in December.
With my tucked between Christmas and New Year it is often forgotten, but actually I don’t mind too much.
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Oh my goodness, December must be incredibly busy for you too. I know what you mean about your birthday though, I’m the same.