Is it tacky to celebrate in advance?

[Nascia]

Is it tacky to have a celebratory meal/ cake when the actual event (birthday, anniversary, etc) is a month or so away?

We plan to celebrate our son's 7th birthday on our upcoming trip (Nov. 29 - Dec. 6) His birthday is actually 10 days or so before our trip, but I still plan on ordering him a cake and celebrating while we are there. I also want to order small cakes for our other 2 boys, as their birthdays are too close to make another trip (Sept. 9 and Jan. 17). DH thinks this is tacky since it's not really their birthday. Thoughts?

 

[emh1129]

I don't think it's tacky at all. Life is to be celebrated Enjoy!

 

[Pixiedust34]

I think it's OK. We celebrated our kid's birthdays at WDW when we were at WDW within a week of their actual birthdays. Sometimes schedules are such that you can't take a vacation on the actual day itself, so if you want to celebrate as close to the birthday as you can, why not? Your kids are only kids once--enjoy!

 

[KatMark]

We celebrated my 50th birthday last September and my birthday is not until December. We celebrated our 25th anniversary this past September and it was in May. I don't think it tacky at all. If this is where you are celebrating, then do so! And have fun.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There's a difference between "celebrating" and "observing". I can only observe my birthday ON my birthday (day after tomorrow, by the way ), but I can celebrate it any time that's convenient. Example: I am traveling next month, between my birthday and that of a sibling with whom I will spend time. We will celebrate our birthdays together - by taking each other out to eat at the same time, don't ask - even though we won't be together to observe either date.

eta: And when I was at Disneyland for one birthday, several Cast Members suggested wearing my birthday button all week!

 

[amandaraye]

What better place and time to celebrate ANYTHING than at Disney? Celebrate and have a great time!

Our DD turns 3 while we're there so we'll be celebrating that, but we're also going to celebrate our DS's 7ths birthday that will have passed a month to the day before we arrive. Everyone deserves a celebration!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I voted sometimes. To me, there's nothing tacky about buying cakes, etc. to celebrate with your kids for any occasion. I do think celebrating in hopes of free stuff or special attention on any day other than the actual day is tacky. This question is asked often & the answers are very predictable. Those who think it's tacky will say so or say nothing at all. Those who do it themselves will say it's not tacky. Of course, everyone supports their own behavior. You really have to decide for yourself what you're confortable with & what you're not. It really doesn't matter what any of us think. Whatever you do, enjoy your trip & celebrate your kids everyday.

 

[carmiedog]

in my obviously superior opinion...

I personally think a birthday should be celebrated within the same calendar month or 2 weeks before or after the actual date (OK, I might be generous and extend it to 3 weeks for WDW). Where did I come up with this? Who the heck knows?!

But I think with kids it gets a bit trickier, especially when you celebrate one of their birthdays at WDW. I think it's a good idea to get a cake for your other two boys. Maybe not on the same scale, but something.

I will admit that in just a few years a milestone wedding anniversary and one of my milestone birthdays fall in the same year. To "celebrate," I'm planning a Disney Cruise. It probably won't fall anywhere near the actual dates because of my work schedule, but with 2 major "events" I think it might qualify as a whole "celebrating YEAR" (I'm saying this to make myself feel better about getting older. ) I won't be doing anything special on the cruise, but it'll still be a present to myself. I'd feel uncomfortable having people tell me happy birthday if it wasn't my birthday.

Back to the point...I think we all draw our lines somewhere of when it's OK to celebrate without being tacky. I told you mine. Some people will say within a year, and a lot of people in between. And it really doesn't matter at all. Insist to your husband that you'll be celebrating ALL your children's birthdays. And really, it's the CHILD you're actually celebrating, right?

(I think your baby girl needs a cake, too. Of course, you'll have to eat it all for her , but I think you'll deserve it for taking 3 kids plus a baby to WDW at Thanksgiving! Hope your family has a fabulous time! )

 

[Pumbaa_]

I voted sometimes too

We celebrated our August anniversary in September. (I am NOT going to florida is august ) Had a great trip and we do tend to do this every year. This past Sept though was our 25th and we did have a couple special ressies. Expected nothing and got personlized menus at one place. I was thrilled!!

If someone is celebrating their occasion because the timing works, I say go for it and have a great time!!

If you are celebrating because you want to gain the systema nd get a free something everytime your tush hits a seat, well, do I need to really go on?

 

[valentina]

Not tacky at all! There's no rule that says when you can or can not celebrate your birthday or whatever else you're celebrating.

 

[Nascia]

Thanks for the replies. This is so not about getting something for nothing. I'm just concerned that my other boys might feel a bit slighted if they're left out. Unfortunately there is no way we could pull of WDW birthdays for each, so I was hoping that if each picked one meal to celebrate at and we got each a small cake no one would have hurt feelings.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted no because not everyone can be at WDW on the day of their birthday and etc, so go have fun and celebrate it early.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I voted, 'No" as well.......even at home, during normal daily life, we can't always celebrate exactly on the day. So how one would feel it's tacky is beyond me. Example, my dh's birthday was in Oct. One of my children lives away at college. She came home for a fall break so we went out to a restaurant and movie and all celebrated together a week early. I also have two kids with birthdays in June (spaced 16 days apart). We usually pick a day in between both their birthday and celebrate both together---but neither is on their actual birthday. I've been known to work on my birthday and also work lots of weekends, so dh has taken me out to celebrate perhaps a week or more after my birthday. So go.....celebrate....be happy !

 

[happymommy]

I voted "no" as well.

Of course, you would celebrate on the actual day, maybe something small.

My kids get invited to birthday parties on weekends - rarely are they the actual birthday date.

My DH and I went away (without our kids) for the first time last year - in the summer - to celebrate us both turning 40. My birthday is January, his is April.

Life is for celebrating! I can't think of a better place than Disneyworld!!!!!!

I know a mom at our school, got cancer two years ago. I don't know the details, but they are heading to Disney next month, it will be two years since the diagnosis. They are celebrating LIFE! God bless them! And they are doing it in style - concierge at the GF with their kids. BTW, she looks very healthy (she is also the prettiest mom I think, and the nicest!). I think she's fine, but you know, it does make you think, you should take the opportunity to celebrate when you can.

 

[Hootch]

was a railroad engineer growing up. There were many years when I was a youngster that he had to be gone over Christmas. I served in the military for six years and there were times I missed birthdays, Christmas and other celebratory days. Celebrations are for when people can get together. We just have certain days that remind us to celebrate. (That doesn't mean I can forget my anniversary or my kids' birthdays today.)

 

[tink too]

I have voted no also. Although we have visited WDW over many years, we have never visited during any of our birthdays. Next year, we will be leaving WDW a few days before my birthday and 2 weeks before my dad's so that our vacation time fits in with our school vacation. I'm not looking for a big fuss to be made over us, since we are both adults, but just want to recognise our birthdays whilst being in such a fantastic place.

If others around me are not pleased - tough luck! I will be paying for our meals and if I decide to have a cake, I will be purchasing that also. If I want to spend the $$$, it is nobody else's business!

Go and celebrate your family and have fun!

 

[fla4fun]

I would say "sometimes" because I think it depends on how far from the event you are. But I think anything within a month is OK. After all, what if the trip is a surprise gift for a birthday or anniversary, and is not given until the day of the event. I've had a couple birthday trips where I found out about the trip on the birthday, but left the weekend after.

 

[OKW Lover]

I voted that it was tacky. But that's under the circumstances described of the event being a month or more away. If you're talking a few days, even a week, then I'd say not tacky.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for the replies. This is so not about getting something for nothing. I'm just concerned that my other boys might feel a bit slighted if they're left out. Unfortunately there is no way we could pull of WDW birthdays for each, so I was hoping that if each picked one meal to celebrate at and we got each a small cake no one would have hurt feelings.

You're being nice- nothing wrong about that. Get the cakes and have fun!

 

[wkrider]

Heck no,,,,,

celebrate the day whenever you like and observe it on the actual day. We celebrate days when we are able to be with family so that the entire family can celebrate that day. Celebrate away my friend.