# How does it feel to have a holiday for your birthday? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 9, 2007, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542 "2007-02-09T20:27:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/1 "2007-02-09T20:27:05Z")
While my mind was wandering around today, I got curious about how it feels for people who happen to be born on a holiday. It’s fairly easy to hear about folks who have birthdays on Christmas (the “I receive just one gift for two holidays” grouse being very common, it seems), but what about other holidays? If you were born on October 31, do you have Halloween-themed birthday parties? If you were born on July 4th, do you have birthday parties in the morning so the evening is free for fireworks? If you were born on February 29th, how long does it take to get tired of people joking that you’re only one-fourth your actual age? Share your stories, please. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/2 "2007-02-09T20:34:33Z")
My husband’s birthday is Valentine’s Day. He resents not being able to go out for a regular dinner, and hates being told how cute it is. Of course, he mostly got heckled about it in high school. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/3 "2007-02-09T20:43:43Z")
Not me, but I always felt sorry for the boy I knew who was born on Halloween. His parents told him he could either trick or treat or have a birthday party (with a Halloween theme usually). I always thought it sad, since he would choose the party and had _never_ gone trick or treating that I knew of. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/4 "2007-02-09T20:48:43Z")
New Year’s Eve. I think it’s cool, and the standard questions/comments don’t really bother me. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/5 "2007-02-09T21:05:44Z")
[QUOTE=Lissla Lissar] My husband’s birthday is Valentine’s Day. He resents not being able to go out for a regular dinner, and hates being told how cute it is. Of course, he mostly got heckled about it in high school. [/QUOTE] Heh-heh…my ex was a Valentine birthday. We made Kid Kalhoun on Valentine’s Day. Love was in the air! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/6 "2007-02-09T21:06:45Z")
My birthday is Flag Day (June 14th). It’s kinda fun. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/7 "2007-02-09T21:18:54Z")
I share **twickster** ’s birthday. As a kid it bugged the hell out of me, but once I was past the teenage years I was over it. My daughter just missed Valentine’s Day - I don’t think any of her friends have even noticed this. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/8 "2007-02-09T21:20:44Z")
I like having MLK Day off of work. It’s better to share a birthday with a great man. Yes, someone actually asked me once “Did you have a dream last night?” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/9 "2007-02-09T21:27:47Z")
I was born on Easter Sunday, as was my dad 27 years and 1 day before me. That always seems good for a shock to people just finding that out. Since Easter is one of those holidays that moves about the calendar, it hasn’t really been an issue since I was a little kid; when I was small I received enough stuffed bunnies at birthdays to make a fake fur coat for a very large person. Luckily it was when I was too young to resent not getting “normal” birthday gifts. The only thing that’s still odd is that on a few occasions I’ve had otherwise sensible adults ask me if my birthday is a different **date** each year 😕 My best friend, on the other hand, was born on Christmas Day. She hates it and always has. I make a point to wrap her birthday presents in birthday paper instead of Christmas, because her whole life people gave her “combo” gifts. I think she said her parents eventually started celebrating her birthday the 24th instead. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/10 "2007-02-09T21:40:13Z")
December 25th–one present for both, wrapped in Xmas paper, and the “thrill” of watching everyone else open presents on YOUR B-day. And the joy of having people “regift” you the day after your B-day. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/11 "2007-02-09T21:42:47Z")
[QUOTE=Flutterby] His parents told him he could either trick or treat or have a birthday party (with a Halloween theme usually). I always thought it sad, since he would choose the party and had _never_ gone trick or treating that I knew of. [/QUOTE] That must have sucked. My birthday is the day after. I kind of like that. Horror and gore and ick until midnight, then presents and cake. And candy for breakfast! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/12 "2007-02-09T21:46:11Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] December 25th–one present for both, wrapped in Xmas paper, and the “thrill” of watching everyone else open presents on YOUR B-day. And the joy of having people “regift” you the day after your B-day. [/QUOTE] Ugh. I think my great grandmother shared your disappointment. You never have explained your user name. Does it have some significance? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/13 "2007-02-09T21:54:02Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] That must have sucked. My birthday is the day after. I kind of like that. Horror and gore and ick until midnight, then presents and cake. And candy for breakfast! [/QUOTE] My daughter’s birthday is October 29th, and she’s kind of disgruntled that I didn’t hold her in for a couple more days. ---
**Author:** ![Emilee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cab0a1/32.png) [@Emilee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilee)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/14 "2007-02-09T21:56:54Z")
My birthday is right near MLK’s birthday too, so I really enjoy the long weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/15 "2007-02-09T21:59:26Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] December 25th–one present for both, wrapped in Xmas paper, and the “thrill” of watching everyone else open presents on YOUR B-day. And the joy of having people “regift” you the day after your B-day. [/QUOTE] This is why I make a point of celebrating my son’s birthday on Christmas eve instead of the day. Proper birthday cake, candles, presents wrapped in birthday paper. That is all about him so he doesn’t get stinted. I’ll have to work out what to do about birthday parties with classmates when he gets to school age. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/16 "2007-02-09T22:09:05Z")
My brother was born at the beginning of April & I was near the end. We had a family party for birthdays & holidays once a month. Therefore, my birthday was usually celebrated on Easter (except when it came really early). I tried to convince my wife that there was no Easter Bunny, but there was really a Birthday Bunny that just happened to come on Easter. Alas, that scam did not work for me… ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/17 "2007-02-09T23:49:57Z")
[QUOTE=TheLorax] My birthday is right near MLK’s birthday too, so I really enjoy the long weekend. [/QUOTE] I feel the same way about Labor Day. It’s nice to have my birthday off every few years. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/18 "2007-02-10T01:28:02Z")
My sister never seemed to mind her birthday occasionally falling on Easter. Nor my brother on Thanksgiving. Yes, we were all born on holidays. My dad was born on Mayday. My mom? On… er, OJ Simpson Escaping in the White Bronco Day. ---
**Author:** ![badkittypriestess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8baadc/32.png) [@badkittypriestess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badkittypriestess)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/19 "2007-02-10T01:31:30Z")
Our son was born 34 min. late of being a St. Patties Day baby. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542/20 "2007-02-10T01:45:17Z")
I was born on October 31. I’ve had different opinions at different times. As a child, I didn’t much like it. My mom went to great lengths to have fun halloween-themed parties (pin the hat on the witch, etc.), but I just wanted to have a normal party. (Ungrateful little beast!) As a teenager and young adult, it was a lot of fun. It was an excuse to host costume parties, scavenger hunts, etc. Middle years–it had some advantages–it was easy for husband and children to remember, for example. Now, it’s not a big deal one way or the other. I suspect in my 70s and 80s (should I make it that far), I might see it differently yet again. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-it-feel-to-have-a-holiday-for-your-birthday/391542.md?page=2)