Half Birthday Party

Just tell everyone you are now going to celebrate her birthday in the spring time every year due to the busy holiday schedules in December.

Perhaps just tell it like it is. You're celebrating her 3rd birthday a couple of months late. She wanted to celebrate her birthday in the spring this year so we've been waiting since December. Come join the fun. I'd still call it her third birthday otherwise it might get confusing down the road and she might want a half, quarter, three quarter birthday. Have fun!

The half birthday sounds silly to me, my suggestion would be to do her party in 2nd week of November and it is closer to her birthday and few weeks before Thanksgiving.

I read your question and immediately related to this. My son, Nicholas was born on December 25th. From the beginning, we taught him about the significance of sharing Christ's birthday with his own and that his would always be a little overshadowed.

As for your dilemma, there's never a good day for a birthday party during the holiday season. I suggest a short explanation on the invite stating that you would like to accommodate everyone's hectic holiday schedules so you are starting a new tradition by celebrating your daughter's birthday at the 1/2 year mark. No further explanation should be necessary. Most people are understanding, and those who aren't don't need to go.

True Story: When my children were very young I split the holiday between my parents and in-laws. I'd spend Christmas Eve with the in-laws and Christmas Day with my side of the family. I'd take a birthday cake to each home and we'd sing Happy Birthday. The first 2 years weren't that big a deal because Nicky was too young to really understand, but by his 3rd he knew about Christmas and birthdays. That year at my in-laws we did the cake thing but there weren't any birthday gifts on the table. I assumed he'd be getting them with his Christmas. Not the case. My brother-in-law dressed as Santa carrying a bag filled with gifts. All the grand kids (10 at the time) sat around him as he pulled out presents, calling each child's name as he handed them out. Each time a name was called my baby clapped and cheered , he was so happy for everyone. By the time the bag was emptied all the children had several gifts (including my older son) but not Nicholas. He sat in my lap like a little deflated balloon. Needless to say I was extremely upset and hurt to see him so disappointed. I didn't wait for the gathering to end, but gathered up my kids and husband and left without saying a word. I was afraid to I'd say things that I'd regret. I read my poor husband the riot act re: "his family" - 9 brothers/sisters - all the way home. Two days later one sister called to take Nicky out to make it up to him. She told me she'd spoken with the others and realized that each had assumed they wouldn't have to give him anything because he'd probably be getting double gifts from everyone else and he wouldn't miss theirs. Bad adult thinking! Explain that to a 3-year old! The next Christmas we started our own tradition by making sure that we'd be celebrating Nicky's birthday with a piñata in the den then the cake and birthday presents for the first hour or so, then we could concentrate on Christmas.

I would put something on the invitation along the lines of, "Better late than never! Come celebrate our daughter's third birthday!" And, then stick in a little sheet of paper that explains that since her birthday is so close to Christmas, you decided to postpone the celebration until now.

I'm not much help, except to say that I'm planning to do the same type of thing for my dd (she's 4 mths now) who was born Christmas Eve. Good for you for realizing that your daughter should have her own day!

My daughter's birthday is Dec. 28th and have thought about doing this many of times and probably will the older she gets. I like the one who said better late than never just tell people when they come you didn't want to mess with the holidays so your moving it to the summer.

Hi mom of December baby:

As they will always be your "babies." I also have a December 21 and a December 30 "babies." The girl is December 21 and she was the more "picky" person because she is articulate. We did "half Birthdays" but then, it was in June so school was out and no classroom cupcakes, celebrations, etc. It helped that she had a good friend who was from a Jehova Witness family and that friend couldn't have any celebrations even Christmas. I started doing a 12th day of Christmas (Epiphany) sort of celebration. I went to a Parochial school so we had the 3-King's day. I remembered that one of my teachers had cupcakes with a nut in 3 cupcakes. Everyone ate their cupcakes and the ones who found a nut got a small gift (Holy Cards, St. Christopher pin, etc.). Our family is non-denominational and public school students wouldn't know what the Epiphany was. But, most people sang the 12 days of Christmas. In Hawaii there is even a Hawaiian version. So I just told the class that since my daughter and son were born in December we were going to sing Happy Belated Birthday on the 12th day of Christmas (January 6 or about there if it fell on the weekend). Everyone in the class would have a "goody" bag and cupcake. I placed a gummy bears (nut allergies) in 3 cupcakes and 3 students would have an extra "goody." The Christian students who were able to explain the significance of the day did. I think it only happened once in the 11 years that I had been doing the 12th day. My son and daughter were 5 years apart. I only did it up to the 6th grade. After that, my kids were too embarrassed to have those "unbirthday" parties. We had "Birthmas" gifts from Aunty and Uncles but by a certain age, they did not mind. I think my son was more oblivious. He had Christmas and he had New Years. He thought New Year's Eve was HIS birthday party.

Just call it her 3rd birthday on the invitation. I have a friend who was born on New Years Day so he celebrates in July :)

Hi A.,

I have the same problem. My daughter's (almost 28 months) is Dec. 20. My birthday is Dec. 26. So I anticipate the issue, too. To this day my birthday gets lost in the shuffle and I don't want that to happen to my daughter.

I too contemplated celebrating her birthday on the half. So many advantages - she doesn't get lost with Christmas craziness, the weather is nice, her gifts would be spread out over the year, she'll get non-winter clothing and toys, etc. But I decided against it. It's just too hard to explain, comes off as greedy (even if it's not) and just doesn't work.

I have decided, instead, to celebrate her birthday in December and make sure people know that it's important to her and to me. Do it during the day as most holiday parties are in the evening. Don't be disappointed if people can't show up.

When she gets older, I want to celebrate her half birthday, too, but as a family, not with a party that involves other people having to buy her gifts. I'll get her a couple summer gifts, take her to a special dinner, maybe a trip to Disneyland, something she's been wanting to do or see, etc. That way she feels special and I only have to explain it to her. But I'll wait a bit because she's not old enough to understand right now anyway (when she's 4 1/2? 5 1/2?)

But if you want to have a party for her, maybe you just make it a celebration of her and stipulate no gifts. Just a day of fun for her and for her family and friends to tell her she is special.

Try this....Instead of calling it a 3 1/2 year old party, just call it a 3 year old party in Spring!! When ppl ask.........then you can explain it.

hi

Sorry, I disagree with the concept...make her proud that it is her Bday....my bday is Dec 21st as well...and I am a bday FANATIC......and yes, it's because everyone forgot my day....even my Mom on occassion...but you get thru it and appreciate it down the road....if you're doing half Bdays then do everyones together....no presents....or have her half bday but no presents--just friends.....that's the most important part of a party...

I wouldn't mention her birthday was missed. I simply tell everyone you are celebrating her 3rd birthday or 3 1/2 birthday in July on the 21st instead of December 21st. Most people are smart enough to figure the reason out.

There was a real good article in Reader's Digest a few years ago about someone celebrating the children's half birthday in the summer instead of on Christmas. I hope you can find and read it.

I hope you and your daughter have a wonderful time!

Sounds like a great idea. Do you need to include gifts? How about a no gift party or encourage books only? She probably doesn't need the gifts anyways and will be happy with balloons and the activity and the friends and family.

I think that it is a great idea to have a 1/2 b-day party. This way everyone can come and then you can have a family party on her actual b-day. I agree with 8kidsdad that people will figure it out for themselves if you just address the invites as her 31/2 b-day party.

3 of our kids are born in late Oct and mid and late Novemeber so it interfers with Thanksgiving. We usually have 1 huge party either inOct or in early Nov for all three girls then celebrate their indv b-days on their specific day with a family day. We usually just let people know we are having one BIG party for all the girls.

Well I think you should stop calling it a half. Then it sounds a little strange. But explain we are celebrating her birthday now. She isn't getting double gifts. If you don't want to buy her something don't. It isn't about the presents its about making my daughter feel special and celebrating her life. I had a friend who was going to move so she was doing her girl's bday 3 months early. the invite didn't say anything about a "birthday" just a princess tea so I called to make sure. So we got her a gift and it was not big deal. My cousin did half birthdays (dec 27) and it was fine. From some of the family he got extra gifts but who cares. No one forced them to give. Plus he got jipped more than he got doubled so I think its fine.

LOVE the idea!!! I have 2 friends who's birthday's are near Christmas and they always talk about what a bummer it is. My anniversary is 2 days before valentines day and my birthday falls right around Mother's day. My hubby gets 2 freebies!! I'd just say December is for Christmas so you celebrate her birthday on the half so she still gets a special day. I think most people get it. I think it's a super cute idea and I'd think it would be something fun for her even as an adult.

We're doing something similar thing for our son whose bday is Dec. 19. We have chosen a summer day and labeled it "K-day" as in "Kaleb's Day". That way he can have an outdoor party like his big brother whose bday is June 3. It sucks for people who have bdays in winter time or near holidays as others seem to make it not as important by "using Christmas wrapping". Good luck and have fun.

So I would suggest you invite people to your daughter's Day.

I say Good For You for giving your daughter a chance to be celebrated like everyone else.

I'd probably call it her Belated Birthday Party this year, and then just make it an annual event after that. People will get used to it, but the first year is likely to cause some raised eyebrows. Not everyone thinks like you do (I feel very good about myself right now for adding the "like you do" part to the end of that sentence, hehe).

Maybe you should just start scheduling her birthday party for January 10th or something. Then you could explain to her that December is a busy time for people and that January would be a better time to have a party. You could send out the invitations on her birthday so she would have the party to look forward to. We always do a small, immediate family party on their actual birthday, whether we end up doing a larger party later or not. It's usually just cake & ice cream after dinner (maybe a special one), and a present hidden somewhere in the house. It makes them feel special on their actual birthday.

My daughter's bday is 12/27. She just turned 15 last Dec.

We've never done 1/2 bday's and wouldn't. I've had great turnouts for her bday p arties ON her bday. I guess a lot of parents are ready fora break or something because our parties are always full.

As far as Christmas...........ALL of daughter's gifts are in BIRTHDAY paper and in another area of the house decorated for BIRTHDAY.

The ONLY exception we are making is for her Sweet 16 and that is because her bday is on a Monday and her party will again be at our country club which is closed on Mondays.

Sounds like a great idea! Just let people know you are celebrating late and without the holiday pressure. Maybe just put that you are celebrating her third birthday and then explain if anyone asks that you decided to wait to celebrate so her birthday is still special for her. My birthday is in August and I almost always had a party in October or November after school had started since I didn't see a lot of my "school" friends during the summer.

As someone mentioned below, how about a slightly-late birthday party during the first weekend AFTER Christmas? That way, it's not too remote from the actual date and you don't need a detailed explanation. Also, guests can take advantage of after-Christmas sales! This past holiday season, we hosted a big day-after-Christmas "leftovers" party and pretty much everyone we invited came. I think people are just tired of cooking and entertainment in their own homes after Christmas. So, the same may go for kids.

I think you have a great idea. Actually I was planning on doing something similar. My daughters birthday is in March and she is in Girl Scouts and loves to sell the cookies, which is during March. So she always winds up not having a big birthday party like she did before Girl Scouts. I was thinking about having a big birthday party in July and rent out our local pool. It's not like you're having two parties for her and are trying to get extra gifts. So many kids get the short end of the stick when their birthday is near Christmas. I think your 1/2 birthday party is a great idea. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

It is very thoughtful of you to do this, however, I am sure most people won't understand. My nephew visits his mother for the Christmas holiday, so we don't see him until his return in January. We always celebrate his birthday in January and it hasn't been a problem. For Christmas, it seems we just send his gift off along with everything else and he gets it when he gets home.

My assumption, no one will know unless you tell them his real birthdate or they are close friends or family.

We are doing sort of the same thing for our kids. They were all born in March and with money tight and the weather blah, we are going to do it in the summer. We are just going to send invites as a belated celebration. We will probably put something in the invites about celebrating summer as well.

I can relate to this b/c my son was born on Dec 5th & my daughter was born on Dec 18th! It is such a hectic month and i've often wondered if it would be appropriate to do a half birthday party....but I haven't. I think it's kind of a fun idea though! Sometime to think about....

I think a simple explanation on the invite is just fine. If you are sending out an Evite you will have more space to write such an explanation. If you are mailing out cards, maybe you can add an insert with the explanation on it. Tell guests that she didn't have a party on her actually birthday due to "holiday hustle and bustle". My personal feeling about birthdays for children is that the focus the parents put on the birthday should not be on the gifts (i know that kids get excited about the gifts, can't stop that from happening once they get a taste of it). The party is the event, the celebration of another year of life. If someone gives a her a gift on her actually birthday next year explain to them at that moment that she will have a party in a few months and you won't expect another gift from them.
Good luck!

Great ideas are listed here. I don't think you need to even mention the Christmas thing. I would just go the subtle route as some others have suggested. I like the "better late than never belated invite" for this first 1/2 b-day party, but then maybe acknowledge to friends and family how much you liked it during and after the party. Make it a point to tell everyone that you might start this as a new tradition since it worked out well.

I understand your dilemma; my birthday is December 2 and even though it's the beginning of the month, people are already busy with Christmas Parties, shopping, and all the excuses you already mentioned.

Here are my thoughts and they may sting but I believe they're true. If your family, friends, and other significant people in your daughter's life cannot put the time and effort into her bithday in December, they will not show the time or effort in June or any other month.

I understand it isn't fair that your daughter's birthday hasn't been celebrated like other kids simply because it is in a busy month; but you cannot control other people's selfishness or indifference. I'm sorry. The people who really love her and care about you and your family will be there no matter what time of the year it is! By the way, it is true money is tight during the holidays. Please realize and acknowledge it is the thought that counts more than the actual gift. I hope you agree with that because one's presence is more important than any gift.

My parents tried to make other achievements in my life a celebration and had parties for me then, such as my 1st Holy Communion, Junior High School graduation, Confirmation, etc. Good Luck.