Celebrating birthdays 3 months later?

[robinb]

So - we were due to leave for WDW next Friday, but my husband needs unexpected surgery, so we have rescheduled to March. We would have been there on the day of my birthday (and much more importantly), my son's 8th birthday. Is it frowned upon if we celebrate his birthday during our March trip - button, etc.?

No It is not frowned on. Unless you make a big deal out of it no one will know.
Personally, I wouldn't do it that far from the actual date, but many do

I also wouldn't celebrate my birthday 3 months later (my family ONLY celebrates on the exact date), and I usually don't buy the reasons why people do "celebrate" their birthday at WDW unless it's a week or two away. It seems silly to me to "celebrate" months later. HOWEVER, in *this* case I the OP had planned on being there for their birthdays and they can't make it because of a family emergency.

Grace, I hope your DH is OK and have a great time celebrating your birthdays!

 

[mom2rtk]

Read the thread, I'm in the minority but far from alone. I'm just the only one being attacked for it.

Hence the term "near".

 

[Reddog1134]

Read the thread, I'm in the minority but far from alone. I'm just the only one being attacked for it.

Do you REALLY not see the difference between?

I don't think you should celebrate your birthday when it's not actually your birthday

and

If you celebrate your birthday on a day that's not your birthday then there is something wrong with you. You have an unhealthy need for attention, there is a dark empty spot in your heart and people are secretly judging you.

 

[famy27]

It might be time for some people to write letters to Disney.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/celebrations/

On the link, I found this:
Princess Gifts

Merchandise | Special Experiences
For that princess in your life, let us create something magical! Perhaps you want to proclaim her an official princess — no matter what your wishes; our Disney Florist Dream Makers have personalized experiences waiting to enhance your stay

But, I am pretty sure that nobody who purchases that has a child who is actually a princess, so everyone who purchased it is a liar and is making a mockery of royalty. We can't let this injustice stand. We might need to notify our congresspeople.

Or, maybe, just maybe, it's okay (and even encouraged by Disney) to celebrate whatever you want to, whether real or imagined, in whatever way you see fit.

 

[Muppetmania]

Yeah, sometimes people don't like having mirrors held up to them. Since I am the one whose opinion is in the minority here, I will do the American thing and allow myself to be shouted into silence. It's enough to know that when you are wandering around wearing your "look at me, I'm special" button, at least some other people are silently judging you and I might even be one of them. I hope that in no way diminishes the joy you get from falsely declaring your birthday.

I really hope one day you silently judge me, it would make me feel really special.

 

[alvernon90]

Hence the term "near".

The term "near" did not qualify the phrase "lone dissenter" but your point stands. The best thing to do is sit quietly, like when you are almost the only person on a ride who is not part of a chanting South American tour group.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think what they are objecting to is your attempt to psychoanalyze these persons as "craving attention" and "feeling they are special" and stating that the ones who don't care are ideal. I'm guessing that maybe you're a psychoanalyst. Personally I can't imagine that I would care in the least what or when anybody else chooses to celebrate at Walt Disney World.

This exactly. I don't care who chooses to wear buttons or doesn't. It isn't for you, then don't do it! But standing in judgment of those who do, acting superior because you choose not to is something entirely different.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Next week I plan to celebrate something for each day. If I can't think of anything specifically as I walk to the CM, I will just decide to celebrate for all those too unhappy to celebrate themselves.

 

[lustergirl]

Next week I plan to celebrate something for each day. If I can't think of anything specifically as I walk to the CM, I will just decide to celebrate for all those too unhappy to celebrate themselves.

 

[robinb]

Next week I plan to celebrate something for each day.

I think that's great! That's exactly what the "I'm Celebrating" buttons are for .

 

[Angel Ariel]

That fact that someone is in a military family does not (in my Army brat view) make the family all that special. There are lots of people who have jobs that prevent them from going to WDW on a particular day, including jobs which are dangerous. I do not consider "military" to be a magic word. My view toward military families in this situation is the same as with all other families who have schedule conflicts: sometimes life is a bummer and you can't be exactly where you want doing exactly what you want on the actual date of your birthday. For me, I'd learn to live with that. If using a button to give others a false impression makes you feel better about life, then go for it. Just know that not everybody is on board.

Again, wow. So a military family wanting to celebrate a special occasion with their MM upon their return means they aren't learning to live with the fact that they are military and will miss out on things? I can wholeheartedly assure you that when I was watching my wedding video alone on my 1st anniversary, wishing my husband were by my side, I was absolutely living with the fact that he wasn't there with me. The fact that we took a trip together as soon as he returned to celebrate that 1 year mark (as well as his return) does absolutely nothing to take away from learning to accept and deal with him being gone in the first place.

I don't know, and as I said above, I just assume that everyone wearing a button at WDW is lying or enjoying a pre/post celebration or whatever. I certainly do not assume it is true. Consider it my own special celebration of not letting anyone put one over on me.

As for this, I just find it sad. We saw a couple in the elevator at Yacht Club dressed to the nines, with roses in their hands. I asked them if they were celebrating anything, and they said they were celebrating their 50th anniversary. I have no idea if it was that day or not, but I wished them a happy anniversary and a wonderful trip. By your count, I should just have assumed they were lying too.

It costs me nothing to wish someone a happy birthday/anniversary/occasion. A little good will in this world goes a long way. It doesn't matter to me if it's that day, a week before, or a month before. I couldn't go through life judging everyone around me to be liars all the time.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think any time you find the DIS in near unanimous agreement, it's time to hold the mirror up to yourself if you are the lone dissenter.

lol, seriously!

I mean, I get not choosing to do it for yourself. There are many here on the DIS who also choose not to wear buttons unless it's the actual day. No one has an issue with making that choice for yourself.

It's the belittling of others who feel differently than you, and making them out to be horrible people with a "dark place in their heart" that's absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Goofy30JHQ]

Really don't see the harm in people wearing the buttons for whatever reason. I'm so happy just to be at wdw that things like this don't even cross my mind. If people are happy to be wearing the buttons, be happy for them! There are so many other things going on in the world to get upset over

Also wanted to add that as a military spouse, it absolutely is a celebration when your loved one comes home Especially when my spouse pretty much missed the first year of our son's life serving our country. We celebrated at Disney! And this goes to all those who miss special milestones in life....not just military families.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I'm seriously hoping the next time we go to WDW that DD will be walking. She's 2 and not walking at all yet..not even standing by herself yet. She just started crawling in May, pulling to stand in Sept and now working on standing by herself and walking while we hold her hands. Her drs said in July she was at the development of a 1 year old. Her PT, though, said in August that she'll catch up to her age level peers in 18 months...so hopefully she'll be walking by this time next year (if not sooner!)

Considering after our last visit with her in October 2013 I was convinced that the next time we took her we'd have to get the pass to use her stroller as a wheelchair (as by then she wasn't mobile at all), if she *is* walking, I am absolutely, 100% getting a pin to celebrate that. I can't tell you how many times I saw a little girl walking at WDW last week, wishing and yearning to be able to experience WDW like that with my daughter - having her hold my hand, walking down main street, etc. It has been a long road of dr's appts, multiple therapies, etc to get her where she is today. The day she starts walking, and for a *long* time afterwards I will absolutely want to shout from the rooftops how excited and happy I am that she's finally walking. I can guarantee I will not give 1 whit of thought to what any one else thinks of her button or our celebrating.

Anyone who wants to be a scrooge about it for whatever reason is not someone worth my time being concerned about.

 

[gracerussell]

I also wouldn't celebrate my birthday 3 months later (my family ONLY celebrates on the exact date), and I usually don't buy the reasons why people do "celebrate" their birthday at WDW unless it's a week or two away. It seems silly to me to "celebrate" months later. HOWEVER, in *this* case I the OP had planned on being there for their birthdays and they can't make it because of a family emergency. Grace, I hope your DH is OK and have a great time celebrating your birthdays!

Holy COW! I didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest, but I guess I did! Yipes.

Here's the thing - if we had never planned on going over my son's birthday in the first place, it would never even cross my mind to celebrate 3 months later. HOWEVER - he was so looking forward to having a birthday celebration at Disney World and then my husband developed pancreatic infection and needs surgery to remove it, so we had to put off the trip till March.

I'm not looking for a marching band or even a cupcake - he gets plenty of treats at WDW all on his own I'm just hoping to carry a little of the birthday magic over, and also celebrate what I hope will be a successful surgery for my DH.

I do plan on ordering a small "birthday" cake for our BOG dinner, since that's where he wanted to eat for his birthday. Ironically, I wasn't able to get an ADR for our originally planned trip, but did get one for March. I think this is the perfect time to have a little celebratory meal!

All the responses are very interesting, and I am enjoying reading them.

 

[FLchick415]

I'm seriously hoping the next time we go to WDW that DD will be walking. She's 2 and not walking at all yet..not even standing by herself yet. She just started crawling in May, pulling to stand in Sept and now working on standing by herself and walking while we hold her hands. Her drs said in July she was at the development of a 1 year old. Her PT, though, said in August that she'll catch up to her age level peers in 18 months...so hopefully she'll be walking by this time next year (if not sooner!)

If she is walking, I am absolutely, 100% getting a pin to celebrate that. I can't tell you how many times I saw a little girl walking at WDW last week, wishing and yearning to be able to experience WDW like that with my daughter - having her hold my hand, walking down main street, etc. It has been a long road of dr's appts, multiple therapies, etc to get her where she is today. The day she starts walking, and for a *long* time afterwards I will absolutely want to shout from the rooftops how excited and happy I am that she's finally walking. I can guarantee I will not give 1 whit of thought to what any one else thinks of her button or our celebrating.

Anyone who wants to be a scrooge about it for whatever reason is not someone worth my time being concerned about.

And lots of for your DD!

 

[KB'sMom]

We've gone to WDW twice just days after my DD's b'day - it never occurred to me to ask for a b'day button for her. On our next trip we arrive on her b'day (but too late to go to a park that night) - she can wear a b'day button that day at the resort but not after that - it seems wrong to me to wear a b'day button on the following days when it ISN'T her b'day.

I'm fine with people wanting to celebrate things at WDW and have no issue with the "I'm Celebrating" buttons - but to wear a b'day button when it ISN'T your b'day seems dishonest to me.

 

[robinb]

I do plan on ordering a small "birthday" cake for our BOG dinner, since that's where he wanted to eat for his birthday. Ironically, I wasn't able to get an ADR for our originally planned trip, but did get one for March. I think this is the perfect time to have a little celebratory meal!

Awesome! It sounds like postponing the trip has a small hidden benefit .

 

[MrInfinity]

So - we were due to leave for WDW next Friday, but my husband needs unexpected surgery, so we have rescheduled to March. We would have been there on the day of my birthday (and much more importantly), my son's 8th birthday. Is it frowned upon if we celebrate his birthday during our March trip - button, etc.?

I would feel awkward walking around w a button claiming it's my birthday and having every CM make an effort to wish me something that isn't true. I guess you could do it... but I wouldn't. Might as well give everyone a button, and we can all celebrate our last birthday. I know it was due to a surgery and all, but the 3 mo has passed. That's just my opinion. No one will care if you do of course.

 

[tzolkin]

Alright, I'll bite. I do agree somewhat with alvernon90 on guests' motivation for wearing the buttons, however I'm not bothered by people celebrating their birthdays whenever they like at WDW.

...there is some need driving the desire to announce the celebration to the world in the form of a button. In fact, it's even weirder if you want to wear a button announcing it is your birthday and you don't expect anyone to react to that. Why wear it at all, especially if it's a lie? I submit it is a need to feel special...

Totally agree with this. I believe people wear the buttons because they want to feel special and have others share in their celebration by recognizing them. Why would you wear a sign announcing to the world that it's your birthday/anniversary/whatever if you didn't want to receive any attention for it?

I don't think there is anything wrong with this (no dark holes ), it's just a natural human desire. We all have a "need" to feel recognized/appreciated/loved.

Some prefer to have this need filled privately and are embarrassed by public attention. (I am one of these and therefore do not choose to wear a button or make any other announcement of anything that would draw attention to me in public.)

Others find joy in being "seen" in a more social setting. This is completely normal, so I don't see why those who choose to wear the buttons seem to insist that they aren't looking to be recognized or feel special. If that's not your motivation, I can't see any other logical reason to announce the celebration.

As others have said go for it enjoy it, if you want to celebrate by wearing a pin go ahead. I have seen people "light-up" when someone congratulates them. Its nice to see people smile and enjoy themselves.

I have witnessed this many times and it is very sweet and one of those magical Disney moments. It always makes me smile. But, they "light up" because they feel special when others acknowledge them. It makes them happy to receive the attention wearing a pin can bring.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to feel special. Feeling special doesn't mean you think you are better than any one else and it doesn't mean you have some unhealthy need to be appreciated. I would feel differently if someone went to WDW every week wearing a Birthday button so they could get attention or maybe a cupcake at dinner, but I see nothing wrong with someone celebrating a Birthday on a day that is not their actual birthday. Especially if their actual birthday falls on a date that they couldn't possibly visit WDW.

Great post.

I use the button to cover the hole in my chest where my heart used to be.

I don't know why, but this line makes me actually laugh out loud.