That was my take, and my attitude is;
Then stop making yourself so useful in making everyone else’s parties happen. If asked why, I’d say that I’d spent 11 years making other people’s parties happen and no one bothers to reciprocate. That I’m tired of putting out all the effort and getting nothing in return.
That could easily backfire… although sometimes it’s better to get the truth out there.
As a young’in still in university, most of my friends would have to travel 100+ kilometers to join me on my actual birthday. This year, I’ve decided to celebrate my half birthday in March instead. We’ll see how it works out 
Perhaps you could do the same?
Happy Birthday Uncle Brother Walker!!
This was your mistake. I too have a holiday birthday, and when I want someone to remember it, I am shameless about mentioning it.
Sure, you can be “noble” and sit home pouting because everyone forgot you and boycott everyone else’s party hoping they get the message (which is kind of like cutting your nose off to spite your face). I think it’s easier and more fun if you just speak up for yourself, though.
I learned early on that “hinting” or dancing around the topic leads to disappointment, because I’m not the center of everyone else’s world…sad though that may be.
If I were you, I’d tell the Birthday Lady, “I know you’ve been busy with the holidays, but I’d really love to get everyone together in honor of my belated birthday around [some arbitrary date in the near future] when everything else has settled down. What do you think about that?”.
Sure, then you have to admit that it matters to you, but it’s more fun that pouting over it.
Sort of a side question, but does ANYONE throw a party for the 'Birthday Lady"?
My sister filled that role at her work place for years and years, and NOBODY ever remembered to give her so much as a group birthday card on her birthday.
Finally she just said fuck it and stopped organizing the parties. Which brought all sorts of moaning and complaints from the former beneficiaries, but none of them volunteered to take over the organizing job.
Oh, I feel your pain, Uncle Brother. In '07, I threw myself a party for my birthday. I made lots of food, put up some decorations, and bought a ton of booze. I was expecting 20-30 people. 6 people showed up. 6. Grr. I haven’t had a “best friend” in about 10 years, but the person closest to fitting that description didn’t even show. We all still had a great time, but it irked me that I worked so hard on my birthday for a bunch of motherfuckers that didn’t even show up. Maybe I’d have had better attendance if I didn’t call all my friends motherfuckers all the time, eh? 
Heh. I have a birthday five days after one of the most popular people in the office. Jr. High has nothing on office politics. I help organize her birthday thing every year… I know how you feel. But honestly, I think that’s just how it goes and to the extent that it’s nice to be fussed over, sometimes we just have to take responsibility for treating ourselves really well and enjoy that.
Which reminds me, OH CRAP, Tuesday is another friend’s birthday and I’ve got nothing planned…
Dagnabbit.
I don’t think I’ve ever given this message. I tend to be an attention whore most of the time (to the point of making an ass of myself), so I don’t think this is true.
I tried this one summer. I started planning twice-a-month Friday Happy Hour events. (on paydays, so folks couldn’t cry ‘I’m broke’) Trips to Dave And Busters, nice sit-down dinners w/ friends, bowl-a-ramas at the local bowling alley, and even a Washington Capitals cheap seats game. Everybody seemed to have a good time at these gatherings. That went quite well for the one summer I did it, but somehow once September came along people just lost interest.
While serving with 3/77 Armor, I worked with a Captain who did this. He basically ordered all his platoon leaders and me to attend his birthday dinner, because none of his friends were going to do anything for his birthday. He was quite a nice guy, but we all thought it was kinda sad.
My mom actually did this when I was a kid. She got tired of hearing all the other parents saying ‘sorry, we don’t have money for a bday party so soon after Xmas’, so she started having my parties in June. It was nice to have friends showing up for parties, but after a few years I realized what was going on, I found that to be sad as well.
Actually, the Queen’s hubby has his bday on 12/18. We usually sync this in with the annual Xmas fete, so there is no problem with getting people to show up.
Ferret Herder, I think you hit the nail on the head.
Yes, hers is in June, and it is a usually a good summertime fest. Complete with BBQ.
Like I said, I was just being grumpy. But I’m all better now. Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!
I second the un-birthday or half-birthday.
With one of my closest friends, the only two times that we regularly see each other is sometime in the summer (usually between our b-days and before his little girl’s) and early November. The summer one ‘counts’ as our birthday, observed, and November is “Pre-Thanksgiving”, which counts for all winter holidays. (His kid thinks it’s a “real” holiday, bless her!)
But, then again, I’ve seldom celebrated my real b-day. For about 10 years, I was away at some camp or another, so it’s just another day for me. I now know to use it as an excuse to get people together for drinking, eating, and fun.
I celebrate both my birthday and my half-birthday. (I say, “this will be the only time I turn 50 1/2, so pay attention!”
I think I must have whined enough since a few people remembered to wish me a Happy Half-Birthday.
Anyway, Happy Birthday!