Opinion on celebrating birthdays~when it's not really your birthday?

[GADISNEYGIRL]

We have somewhat of a dilemma. Last week, we were hosting a Disney themed children's event at our church, and I took one of my DS' "Today is my birthday" buttons to use as part of a game we were playing. We are going in February with another family, and the mom was helping me with the game, and saw the button. She has told her kids (4 and 13) that the Disney trip will be most of their "birthday" this year. The 13 yr old will turn 14 in March, and the 4 yr old turns 5 in May. When she saw the button, she asked if she could get them for the girls, to "celebrate" their birthdays, even though they are one and 3 months away (after the trip). To further complicate things, my DS will actually turn 4 one week after our trip, so if anyone should be celebrating a birthday, it would be him~but we had decided not to do that, so the girls wouldn't feel left out. Since technically the trip is their "birthday" present, I'm just not sure what to do, because I do want it to be special for them. I was thinking if we do something, maybe it could be at Chef Mickey's, where they don't make such a huge deal out of it. Or am I being silly, and there is nothing wrong with it at all? Opinions, please~but no flames!!

 

[Schachteles]

Personally I would do it...we have gone for a couple of our kids' birthdays and they get all sorts of special attention with the buttons. FYI...you can get a button at City Hall!

When I called and made reservations for our character meals for our upcoming trip, I let the CM know that it was our daughters 1st birthday the day that we would be eating at Chef Mickey's...but as I made the ressies for all of our other meals over our stay she mentioned all of the things that they would do for her birthday...so you just never know! I guess they view it as a BIRTHDAY TRIP!

 

[goofy4tink]

No flames from me....just my opinion. I have been to WDW when my dd actually turned 6. We didn't make a huge deal of it...ate at CP where I had told them it was her 6th birthday. They brought out a big cupcake, a card signed by the characters and sang to her.
Fast forward to next Oct. My dd will, once again, be celebrating her birthday while at WDW. She will turn 13 the day before we leave. We are traveling with another mom and her dd, who turns 13 the day after we get home. It is a birthday trip for both the girls. The other mom was concerned that my dd's nose would be out of joint if her dd celebrated also. Not an issue I told her. My thing is this....if that particular day is the actual birthday, then go ahead and get the "Today is my birthday'" button. Otherwise, get something that says you are 'celebrating my birthday in WDW'. A lot of people go to WDW and celebrate birthdays. I have no problem with that. But, IMHO, I think that if every single person that is celebrating a birthday is wearing one of those "Today is my birthday' buttons, then it makes it less special for those whose actual birthday is that day. I know, somewhat picky...but that's my feeling. There are a ton of people here who feel differently and that's their right. I am trying to get two tee shirts for the two girls, with their different birthdates on them....that way they both feel special. Now the flames will start

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Two years ago, we gave my son a Disney trip for his birthday. He opened it that morning, and we left that afternoon. The next day (the day after his birthday), he saw a kid with a Birthday button and asked if he could get one, too.

I told him he couldn't because it wasn't his birthday. I didn't feel right about it. I bought him the giant cake hat and when people commented on it, he told them it was his birthday yesterday, or on Wednesday or whatever and that we all got to go to Disney because he had a birthday. They still said, "Happy Birthday."

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

No flames from me....just my opinion. I have been to WDW when my dd actually turned 6. We didn't make a huge deal of it...ate at CP where I had told them it was her 6th birthday. They brought out a big cupcake, a card signed by the characters and sang to her.
Fast forward to next Oct. My dd will, once again, be celebrating her birthday while at WDW. She will turn 13 the day before we leave. We are traveling with another mom and her dd, who turns 13 the day after we get home. It is a birthday trip for both the girls. The other mom was concerned that my dd's nose would be out of joint if her dd celebrated also. Not an issue I told her. My thing is this....if that particular day is the actual birthday, then go ahead and get the "Today is my birthday'" button. Otherwise, get something that says you are 'celebrating my birthday in WDW'. A lot of people go to WDW and celebrate birthdays. I have no problem with that. But, IMHO, I think that if every single person that is celebrating a birthday is wearing one of those "Today is my birthday' buttons, then it makes it less special for those whose actual birthday is that day. I know, somewhat picky...but that's my feeling. There are a ton of people here who feel differently and that's their right. I am trying to get two tee shirts for the two girls, with their different birthdates on them....that way they both feel special. Now the flames will start

That was kind of our feeling about it. We don't want to take advantage of things, or make it less special for those who are actually celebrating their birthdays that day. For instance, last year, we were there for our DS' birthday. (Turning 3.) We didn't make a big deal out of it, but did let him wear his birthday button(s) for all 3 days we were in the parks. He got a cupcake at most restaurants. The only restaurant that I TOLD them it was his birthday was at Tony's Town Square, and that was on his actual birthday. DH feels that if we do this while we're there, we should do it at only one restaurant, and I'm not certain he's even convinced of that. On the other hand, I do understand that the trip IS their main birthday celebration... hence, my dilemma! I guess I could talk to the mom and see if she wanted to order a cake or something, I'm just not sure how to handle it.

 

[Schachteles]

I can see it from both ways. Last time for my DDs 2nd birthday we only had it acknowledged at Chef Mickey's on her actual birthday. This time we are going for my other DDs 1st birthday so really it won't mean much to her, so we will just have them sing to her at Chef Mickey's.

Everyone is right that you run into over-abuse of the "system".

 

[pbharris4]

On our upcoming trip my DD will turn 3 while we are on the road. It'll be the day before we get there. We won't arrive until like 4pm the day after. We will celebrate her birthday at 1900 PF for Dinner and order a cake and give her a small present (leaving the big present at home). Since we won't be in a park that day and will be the next day, we'll get her birthday pin and she has a birthday t shirt I made her and she'll wear it that during that park day. Then that will be it. No need to drag it out for the entire trip plus I don't want my older DD (10) to feel as if the other one is getting all the attention. IMO, you can't always celebrate on the actual birthday because of travel situations or other things, but pick a day or so and go with that. I guess it depends on each family's situation.

 

[Cass]

No flaming, just honesty - if you are there on your BD get a button and wear it in the parks... if it is not your Birthday don't wear/get a button.

Dinner celebrations are different, I don't see anything wrong with having family celebration/cake on whatever day you like. It's no ones business but your own, but the button thing is different it encourages attention based something that is not really true.

 

[pooh2001]

If your child is 4 or older - please do not teach them to lie about thier age.
They may just tell the CM who asks - so when's your birthday - and they say March 1st when it is actually June 1st.

We celebrate my DD's birthday 2 days after here real birthday. Reason: her birthday is always the last day of school and then we take off for WDW 2 days later. She has a birthday party with her friends either 3 weekends before her birthday or 3 weekends after her birthday.
But I still do not think she feels bad, since we do spend her birthday(2 days late) at WDW.

Benefit - my DD gets to pick where we eat the first night. This year it is 1900 Park Faire - but I made our ADR for 7 pm, so DH can sleep a bit in the afternoon after traveling to WDW (and hitting MK as soon as our luggage is dropped off at the WDW resort, around 11 am)

For our DS - we let him pick one meal too. He picked Coral Reef. It's not his birthday - but he feels part of the meal planning this way. He is not fussy about attention as long as he can get a nice chocolate desset
Chocolate Adrift - Frozen chocolate malt mousse raft and white chocolate oars $7.00

 

[Got Quattro?]

You asked. To me....it's tackey. I understand you are celebrating your birthday. But unless it's less than 2 or 3 days away....I would not ask for the free cake.

Just me. Millage may vary.

 

[jonkatony]

We are going to Disneyland paris staying at the Disneyland hotel to celibrate my DD 13th birthday, and we are at WDW for DW birthday in August where we are going to d.c and crt on her birthday. These things are special to celibrate their birthdays not another day. I would never pretend it their birthday (even though It would save me money). Personally I think its dishonest and not a great life lesson to kids

 

[pooh2001]

Just thought of something - you could (for a cost $$) get something from the Disney Florist to celebrate an un-birthday (even add a Pooh character- the one who has un-birthdays!)

What ever you order can be delivered right to your resort...
Check out the WDW Florist web-page- click on 'OUR UNIQUE DESIGNS'


http://www.ftdfloristsonline.com/wa...html?website_id=485745524856546565&source=ffo

So many items to choose from for an un-birthday !

 

[shellybaxter]

I think its fine to celebrate a birthday whenever you want. If its a birthday trip - its a birthday trip. I can't, in any way see why it would "take away" from someone's actual birthday. I mean is a CM only allowed so many "happy birthday" wishes, so your party will be taking a wish from someone else? I don't think so.

On my last trip I met a young boy who had an "I'm celebrating" button on, that he got from City Hall in MK, and I asked him if it was his birthday. His Grandma said, "no, this is his first trip to WDW and we wanted to celebrate". I thought to myself, How Cool!! WDW is all about celebrating life and fun and family and magic, why not do the celebrating up right.

You don't have to have kids lie. Just teach them to say that their mom brought them to WDW to celebrate their birthdays in XXX amount of days or months. Teach them to tell the truth.

 

[wendypooh]

I think its fine to celebrate a birthday whenever you want. If its a birthday trip - its a birthday trip. I can't, in any way see why it would "take away" from someone's actual birthday. I mean is a CM only allowed so many "happy birthday" wishes, so your party will be taking a wish from someone else? I don't think so.

On my last trip I met a young boy who had an "I'm celebrating" button on, that he got from City Hall in MK, and I asked him if it was his birthday. His Grandma said, "no, this is his first trip to WDW and we wanted to celebrate". I thought to myself, How Cool!! WDW is all about celebrating life and fun and family and magic, why not do the celebrating up right.

You don't have to have kids lie. Just teach them to say that their mom brought them to WDW to celebrate their birthdays in XXX amount of days or months. Teach them to tell the truth.

I agree........... I say, CELEBRATE, even if your birthday is 6 months away...... if it is a birthday trip, it doesn't matter, perhaps for what ever reason you can't come on your actual birthday. I wouldn't ever teach my boys to lie........ tell the truth, it's my birthday trip, but my actual birthday is XXX. I wouldn't abuse it either, pick ONE day to do it, then that's it. We will actually be there on my birthday, and I'll celebrate on that day, but I won't publisize that it's my birthday all week. That's just me. For the OP, I think I'm not understanding your post......... are you saying that since your friends are celebrating birthdays you think you should not celebrate your DS's??? IF so, then I DO NOT agree with that.......... if they can't deal with you celebrating his b-day too........... then I question the level of friendship!!!! Sorry, that's just my take on it............. I don't see why you all can't celebrate ALL of the birthdays??? I'd celebrate my DS's birthday NO MATTER What........ or Who doesn't like it!!!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't know, my birthday is August 30 but I won't arrive in WDW until August 31. I'm going to wear one on August 31. I don't really care what it says at that point. And I am not going to ask for free stuff.

 

[LoriLea]

I think you should do what you want. At home, we often celebrate my children's birthdays on days other than their actual birthdays. Why should it be different on vacation?
Now that being said, we will be at Disney to celebrate both DH's and DD8's birthdays this year on August 31st. (Happy Bday to you too TDC Nala). Although we will be there for the week, they will only wear buttons on their actual birthday. We did the same thing in August 2004.
We spoke with other "birthday buttoners" that day and although it may not have been their actual birthdays, we wished them Happy Birthday and did not walk away saying' "I can't believe they wore a button when it wasn't their actual birthday!"

 

[Keara'sMom]

Here's my take on the whole thing (for what it's worth),

We were just at WDW for my dd's 9th b-day (on her b-day), and she wore the button that said "Today's my birthday" on her actual day. Epcot has a button that says "Happy birthday" in different languages, and she wore that on her fanny pack for a couple days following her actual birthday, and she did have people wishing her a happy birthday. Frankly by the third day, she took the Epcot button off of her fanny pack, saying, "It's not my birthday, and I feel funny when people wish me a happy birthday when my birthday was two days ago." Interesting. Now, she didn't seem to have a problem with her friends singing to her at a party 11 days after her birthday, but it bothered her in WDW for some reason.

So, I think people should do what they feel okay doing. If it feels "cheap" or "funny" in some way, then I'd avoid it and get a "birthday girl/boy" button before you leave and have them wear that!

 

[pbharris4]

No flaming, just honesty - if you are there on your BD get a button and wear it in the parks... if it is not your Birthday don't wear/get a button.

Dinner celebrations are different, I don't see anything wrong with having family celebration/cake on whatever day you like. It's no ones business but your own, but the button thing is different it encourages attention based something that is not really true.

The only reason we are doing the button thing is because we are unable to be at the park on her birthday. We were unable to arrange it that way. So we are celebrating with a dinner and when she wears her pin in the park that day, that will be it. She'll be 3. She deserves a little attention from the characters. We're not trying to get free stuff or anything, but just want her to feel special on that day (since the actual birthday will be in a car for 8 hrs.). If we were at home and her birthday was on a Wednesday...does that mean we have to celebrate it that day instead of Saturday? It's not a "lying" thing, just a "when you choose to celebrate thing." We have no intention of dragging it out.

People celebrate things in different ways, at different times because of different reasons, and have different traditions. People should do what they feel comfortable with. No one can tell a person they are wrong for how they feel. (I say that in general..not directed towards anyone )

And here's how I feel: My cute little Princess will wear her b-day pin. Yes, it will be 2 days late. But that's when we are doing it. When her favorite character comes up to her and wishes her a Happy Birthday and she has a smile from ear to ear and her eyes are open wide with excitement...I don't really care what anyone else thinks when we should celebrate her birthday. If it were many days or weeks before or after her birthday then we wouldn't do it, but that's just us.

Why do people go on honeymoons? I mean, you get married on that day, you celebrate it that day and then why go anywhere after? Why go away for a few days or a week? You can get to know each other at home.

Everyone has there own opinion..people may or may not agree with it...but no one is wrong for how they feel. Celebrate your birthday, your anniversary, your job promotion, your engagement, your graduation, etc. how ever you want and do whatever makes you or your family happy.

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I say celebrate all the birthdays! Even if its not on that particular day........my sons birthday trip took another twist-day before planned vacation, my fil had a stroke and was comatose. we canceled the trip and went later on, of course celebrating ds 9th birthday 2 months later. to me, its all about the kids, their happiness, and making them feel special! : as another poster pointed out, at times when our kids bd's don;t fall on the weekends we still celebrate on the weekends-its not about lying-just choosing when to celebrate!

 

[jonkatony]

People can chose to celebrate anything they want at anytime and there are a number of good reasons to do so, but you are born on a date and that is your birthday. If you tell people it not your birthday but you are celebrating today that is in my opinion fine. As posters have previously said if it feels right why not? If somebody asked me if it was my birthday today and I said yes and it wasn't I would not feel right.