Birthdays- can you choose to celebrate yours on a different day?

[Feathers in Hair]

The reason I ask is that I've always had issues with my 'normal' birthday of September 27th. It's seemed simply unremarkable, and now that I'm learning more about Mabon, a lot of the meaning and rituals speak deeply to me. I'm considering celebrating mine on this day, since it personally holds a lot more meaning. (I should clarify that I have a rather Hobbit-y approach to birthdays- I think they should be more about celebrating the wonderful people in your life than focusing on oneself.)

Does celebrating your birthday on a different day than you were born ever make sense? Do you do it?

 

[Draka]

I have on several occassions. When I was growing up my birthday was celebrated in conjunction with Easter sometimes since Easter sometimes falls close to mine (April 8th) and my mother's family would always have a big gathering for Easter.

Now I do at times simply due to work schedules and friends schedules. I had 3 B-Day parties this year on different days simply because my friends had different times that they could gather. Then again...I'm a little popular I guess.

 

[Aqualung]

I woudn't mind it, as long as you stuck to one date. It would be tough to buy presents for your friends if they kept changing the day.

 

[kreeden]

Well , it is YOUR day Feathers .

It is common here to change any birthday celebrations by a day or two , usually to have them fall on a weekend .

 

[Shadow Wolf]

When I was little, my birthday would be celebrated usually on the Friday or Saturday closest to the 29th. My mom wanted to celebrate it in August instead of September so it would be warmer, but that was just too early.
Anymore though, my b-day to me, if I even remember it, is "just another day that happens to mark another year I have lived."

 

[James the Persian]

Well, birthdays are less important to me now than my saint's day. Admittedly, that's only one day later on the New Calendar (which I'm currently stuck with) or 14 days later on the Old, but my celebrations tend to be then rather than on my physical birthday. I can't see why it matters when you celebrate your birth - in fact you could argue that 9 months (or so) earlier is more important than birth and, if you're a Christian, baptism is more important than either (hence the saint's day celebration). I did go to school with a girl who had the misfortune to be born on 29th February. She obviously had to move her birthday or only celebrate once every four years. It seems to me that birthdays are about celebrating and being thankful for your life. If you choose to do that on a different date, so what?

James

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Very interesting replies, everyone! Thanks so much for your insights!

And AL, my friends wouldn't have to worry, since I'm also drawn to the (aforementioned) Hobbit tradition of giving other people gifts on your birthday. It makes a lot more sense to me! That way, you only have (or get to) to pick out presents for everyone on your birthday, instead of waiting until theirs rolls around, hehee!

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

The Queen changed her birthday and has an official birthday celebration.
If its good enough for her its OK by me.

Terry
________________________
Blessed are those who bring peace, they shall be children of God

 

[Unedited]

I don't see any problem with it. Just make sure you tell people.

 

[Aqualung]

Very interesting replies, everyone! Thanks so much for your insights!

And AL, my friends wouldn't have to worry, since I'm also drawn to the (aforementioned) Hobbit tradition of giving other people gifts on your birthday. It makes a lot more sense to me! That way, you only have (or get to) to pick out presents for everyone on your birthday, instead of waiting until theirs rolls around, hehee!

that does certainly seem like it would have less of an impact on your pocket book...

 

[Linus]

I have a rather Hobbit-y approach to birthdays- I think they should be more about celebrating the wonderful people in your life than focusing on oneself.

That simply sounds European to me. I was good frineds with a German foreign exchange student in High School, and on his birthday he walked around giving gifts to all of his friends. He gave me a CD that I still have, in fact.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

The Tradition in the UK is to give, all your work mates, Cake on your birthday.

Terry
___________________________________---
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Very interesting, Linus! Perhaps that's where the tradition comes from.

Hehee, Terry, you'll all be getting virtual cake! (Though I consider everyone more family than work-mates. )

 

[Pussyfoot Mouse]

For you Feathers...Anything!

Just let us know which day you choose so we don't miss it! :bounce

 

[CaptainXeroid]

My birthday is August 17, so when I was a kid, birthday party meant back to school. I so badly wanted to change mine for so many years. The good thing was I could have a pool party. I would have picked June so my birthday would have marked the beginning of summer.

Anyway, as long you party hardy, celebrate it whenever.

 

[Aqualung]

My birthday is August 17, so when I was a kid, birthday party meant back to school. I so badly wanted to change mine for so many years. The good thing was I could have a pool party. I would have picked June so my birthday would have marked the beginning of summer.

Anyway, as long you party hardy, celebrate it whenever.

Wow, mine is aug 26, and it was always before school.

 

[Katzpur]

The reason I ask is that I've always had issues with my 'normal' birthday of September 27th. It's seemed simply unremarkable, and now that I'm learning more about Mabon, a lot of the meaning and rituals speak deeply to me. I'm considering celebrating mine on this day, since it personally holds a lot more meaning. (I should clarify that I have a rather Hobbit-y approach to birthdays- I think they should be more about celebrating the wonderful people in your life than focusing on oneself.)

Does celebrating your birthday on a different day than you were born ever make sense? Do you do it?

Feathers! My birthday is on September 27th, too!

 

[Malus 12:9]

My birthday is Xmas day so I celeberate it on another day because my mom decided it.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Kat, that's amazing! *huge hugs*

Well, that settles it! Can't have the birthdays of two such amazing, glorious women (kidding for myself, not kidding for Kat!) fall on the same day!

I will be setting my 26th birthday on September the 21st! And everyone will have cake! (Unless they don't want to... in which case, maybe pizza?)

 

[Pussyfoot Mouse]

Wow, mine is aug 26, and it was always before school.

Me too! August 8th. And it always sucked that everyone got to have their birthdays announced at school, but not mine!