Celebrating birthdays 3 months later?

[Angel Ariel]

I honestly don't understand why people "celebrate" months and months later and the explanations just seem to be rationalizations for, as someone mentioned upthread, something they would never do IRL. I guess it will be one of those things I will never understand.

Outside of the very select extenuating circumstances that have been mentioned here (the OP's situation, physically not being able to be together at all to celebrate - like deployment), it isn't something I'd do either. I think many have lost sight of that to focus on judgment instead. I've never said it's OK to just say "hey, let's celebrate whatever whenever" - but that is how many (not you, robin!) are responding.

I don't like when people use the words "liar" and "cheat" and make moral judgments on others that act within Disney's rules. I'm sorry that other people are saying that about you .

Thank you

 

[Reddog1134]

Anyone who says they don't wear a button for attention is kidding themselves. Why else would you wear one and announce your birthday to complete strangers?

Because my wife made me wear it. True story.

 

[Disneylover99]

Wearing the pin is no more public than going out to dinner for your birthday (a few days late or early) and having a birthday cake at the table, or waiters singing happy birthday to you. It's no more public than a husband sending his wife flowers at work for her birthday.

I think wearing a birthday pin is totally different then going out for dinner and having a waiter sing happy birthday, having birthday cake or receiving flowers at work. Those are just brief moments of celebration with family and friends.

Wearing the pin is an all day advertisement to strangers that you're celebrating your birthday.

 

[mom-2greatkids]

Because my wife made me wear it. True story.

Funny! DS said the same thing (his mom, not his wife). Because this is such a hot topic today I asked my family their opinions about it at dinner tonight. Interestingly enough DS and I (who are the only ones to have a trip fall on our birthdays) said pin on birthday only. DH and DD said it was fine to designate one day to wear the pin if the trip is to celebrate a birthday. The only thing the whole family agreed on is that you should wear the button one day and not your entire trip.

Made for an interesting dinner discussion

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Because my wife made me wear it. True story.

My husband and I made our son wear one on our last trip.

The trip was for his birthday. So it made sense to us.

We also loved the fact that CMs were constantly saying "Happy Birthday" to him. At 19, he was pretty embarrassed.

Was it his actual birthday? Yes, for one of the days. But not for the rest of the trip.

 

[famy27]

This post makes sense to me - if you choose to wear one, it is because you want strangers (CM or others) to notice it, since the people traveling with you already know about whatever event you're celebrating, and you yourself already know, of course.

Sadly, I wore three Disney buttons I found when I was unpacking the suitcase. Mostly because I am a big giant dork. But it made me laugh and it cracked up my DD. (I may or may not have had them pinned to my winter scarf, which I was wearing indoors). So, I can pretty safely say I wasn't doing it to get attention from strangers. And I don't think I was even seeking attention from DD at the time, since she wasn't even in the room but came in and caught me in my finery.

So, it's very possible that people wear buttons for reasons other than attention. It might have a positive association to a childhood memory, the color might match their outfit, wearing pins in photos might make it easier to sort out which trip is which if you are a frequent WDW visitor, perhaps your traveling companions made you wear it to embarrass you. I'll reserve my judgment on anyone else's mental health or motivation.

Bottom line: It's fun for some people, Disney actively encourages it, and nobody is harmed by it. It's not lying, cheating or stealing.

 

[KB'sMom]

Seriously. Has no one else ever celebrated their birthday on a day that wasn't their actual day? Your birthday has *never* been on a Tuesday and you waited until Friday or Saturday to go out to celebrate because it wasn't convenient during the week? You *never* had a party as a child that wasn't on the actual day? You've never *hosted* a party for your child on a day that wasn't on their actual birthday? If wearing a pin for oneself and not expecting anything is attention seeking, then what is sending out invitations requesting people's presence to a party where gifts are generally given to the child on a day that's not their *actual* birthday?

Has no one ever celebrated holidays with family that weren't on the actual holiday? I don't know about anyone else, but we don't live near DD's grandparents at all, and the 2 sets of grandparents live in completely opposite directions. We can't physically spend the actual day with both families. So we end up celebrating with one set of grandparents on a day that's not the actual holiday. You *never* posted pictures on FB of a holiday celebration that didn't happen on the holiday?

The amount of judgment going around for people who dare to put on a birthday button a few *days* away from their birthday is absolutely astounding to me.

I don't think anyone is saying it is wrong to celebrate a birthday whenever you want. But if it isn't your ACTUAL b'day, why would you wear a pin saying "Happy Birthday"? Get a pin that says "I'm celebrating" and write "my birthday" on it instead.

We arrive at Disney on DD's b'day. We get in late so we won't be visiting a park that day. She'll wear her pin the day we arrive, but not when we go to the parks - b/c it won't be her actual b'day anymore.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Wearing the pin is an all day advertisement to strangers that you're celebrating your birthday.

I can see how some would feel that way.

Maybe I'm strange in this, but I honestly don't expect any one else at Disney to pay much attention to me or my family. I pretty much assume their focus is on their family and their trip, just like mine is on my family.

if I happen to notice people in closer quarters - like the older couple we met in the elevator on the way to our room who were celebrating their 50th anniversary - I will wish them Happy Anniversary (or Birthday, whatever)...but 99% of the time I'm too focused on other things to really notice in the first place

 

[Angel Ariel]

I don't think anyone is saying it is wrong to celebrate a birthday whenever you want. But if it isn't your ACTUAL b'day, why would you wear a pin saying "Happy Birthday"? Get a pin that says "I'm celebrating" and write "my birthday" on it instead.

I didn't ask for the pin I wore. The CM who checked us in at Yacht Club gave it to me. The CM is the one who chose to give me a birthday pin, not a celebration pin. And yes, I told her my birthday was not during the actual trip, but a few days later.

I honestly didn't think it was a big enough deal to then make a special trip to guest relations to pick up a different one. I just said thank you in appreciation, and wore it in the spirit in which it was given to me. I didn't think I needed to second guess the CM.

 

[MommyMK]

We were in the work last month, 2.5 weeks after my birthday and one month after my husband's, it never occurred to me to get a button or celebrate my birthday because well, it wasn't my birthday.

Now the year I did celebrate my actual birthday in the parks? Heck yes, I collected all the buttons (they were different in each park then and you had to seek them out) and wore a birthday t-shirt that I had made. It was my birthday and I was in WDW, two very special things that had never happened at the same time before and heck yes I was celebrating it.

Did the same for my DD's first birthday. How many kids can say they celebrated their first birthday in the MK? We all had matching t-shirts for that one.

Everyone has their own opinion but anything outside of a couple of weeks, maybe a month, is stretching it to me, military families or other personal crises being the exception. But celebrating your birthday months after the fact because it's a more convenient time to vacation? Nope. I had to jump through a lot of hoops to be in WDW for our actual birthdays and being there on the day makes it special.

 

[Love Tink]

Most of the recent discussion has been people having a problem with celebrating the birthday even days away from the actual day.

I've read the whole thread and I don't think that is true at all. I think the initial negative response (which caused such consternation) was in response to some of the early posts like:

My son celebrates for a day two months late every year. He loves wearing a button, and telling everyone how old he is. We don't expect any perks, but we love to hear "happy birthday."

I just turned 30 last Friday and you bet I'm celebrating my bday when we go in May! I even bought myself a tiara lol.

I think even the most strident here don't have a problem with celebrations that are located in the immediate vicinity of the birthday (as many birthday celebrations are). As adamant as you are about your position, you might consider admitting that there is a difference between wearing a pin a few days late/early and wearing a pin six months later.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I don't think anyone is saying it is wrong to celebrate a birthday whenever you want. But if it isn't your ACTUAL b'day, why would you wear a pin saying "Happy Birthday"? Get a pin that says "I'm celebrating" and write "my birthday" on it instead.

We arrive at Disney on DD's b'day. We get in late so we won't be visiting a park that day. She'll wear her pin the day we arrive, but not when we go to the parks - b/c it won't be her actual b'day anymore.

Okay, so I have a question to those that think people shouldn't wear a pin, even one day off of their birthday.

When you are at home, and someone wishes you a happy birthday, but it is belated. Do you correct them? Or do you accept the good wishes?

I simply accept the good wishes. I wouldn't think to say, "thank you, but my birthday was yesterday."

 

[Angel Ariel]

I've read the whole thread and I don't think that is true at all. I think the initial negative response (which caused such consternation) was in response to some of the early posts like

I agree that is what the initial response was to - which is why I said the *recent* discussion - as in the last few pages of the thread.

I think even the most strident here don't have a problem with celebrations that are located in the immediate vicinity of the birthday (as many birthday celebrations are).

There have been responses in this thread that have had a problem with it being on a different day, even days before. That is what my responses are to, nothing else.

As adamant as you are about your position, you might consider admitting that there is a difference between wearing a pin a few days late/early and wearing a pin six months later.

I did.

Outside of the very select extenuating circumstances that have been mentioned here (the OP's situation, physically not being able to be together at all to celebrate - like deployment), it isn't something I'd do either. (it = wearing a pin when it isn't your birthday) I think many have lost sight of that to focus on judgment instead. I've never said it's OK to just say "hey, let's celebrate whatever whenever" - but that is how many (not you, robin!) are responding.

As I said before - I've never worn a birthday button at Disney before this trip. I wouldn't wear a birthday button when I was months away from my birthday. I did with an anniversary button *once* because of extenuating circumstances that prevented DH and I from being together for months, a time period that happened to include our 1st anniversary. And yes, when people asked why were going away, we responded that we were celebrating our anniversary, since DH was gone over the actual day. It's odd, but you know, no one had a problem with it. Everyone was just glad he was back and that we could have some time together finally. We've missed anniversaries since, and have not done anything similar, because it *wasn't* done for a need for attention.

I don't take issue with the OP of this thread choosing to wear a birthday button because of their *specific* situation. They were supposed to be at WDW on the actual day, and circumstances outside their control took that away from them. I don't have any issue with someone in that circumstance celebrating when they're finally able to take the trip.

I've been pretty specific that saying "hey let's celebrate whenever, wherever, regardless of the date." is something completely different, and it isn't something I would do.

 

[Frozen Man]

Okay, so I have a question to those that think people shouldn't wear a pin, even one day off of their birthday. When you are at home, and someone wishes you a happy birthday, but it is belated. Do you correct them? Or do you accept the good wishes? I simply accept the good wishes. I wouldn't think to say, "thank you, but my birthday was yesterday."

By the same token when you are home do you wear an "It's my Birthday Pin" when it is not your birthday? In your hypothetical the other person is just inadvertently mistaken in believing it is your birthday, whereas people wearing a birthday pin when it is not their birthday are soliciting responses/perks/reactions. That is vastly different.

For the record, I think it is fine when you actually take a trip for your birthday a few days before or after the actual date and wear a pin celebrating your birthday, lots of kids have their birthday party the weekend before or after the actual date BUT going weeks or months later and pretending it is your birthday is just dishonest in my opinion.

 

[Love Tink]

There have been responses in this thread that have had a problem with it being on a different day, even days before. That is what my responses are to, nothing else.

Actually, one of your early responses in the thread (about 37 or 38 comments ago) was about celebrating an anniversary five months late, and wearing anniversary buttons.

 

[emldrl]

I have been reading since the beginning, and I finally decided to jump in here, just to add my perspective. First, we don't get to go to WDW frequently, or even rarely, so when a family like us, who are taking a once in a lifetime trip, wants to wear a button to celebrate, why would anyone else care? If you don't agree with it, by all means, ignore us. And yes, if my children are wearing them, I do want them to get recognition, and to be treated like they are special, because they ARE special. If you don't like it, just look away. Also, yes, when we go, it'll be within a few weeks of my son's birthday, and my daughter's first trip. So judge away, I really don't care.

And to the poster who brought up social contracts, I consider judging strangers for doing something like wearing a harmless button that affects no one but the wearer to be a breach of said contract.

One final thought for the evening. I am a disabled USAF veteran, and a CA survivor, both of which DO make me special, and if you disagree, well, that says more about you than me. There are 3 days a year when I do like attention, and would wear a button at home or at WDW, if I had one, and that is Nov. 10, 11, and 12; my anniversary, Veteran's Day, and my birthday! That week every year I do feel special, and I like special treatment, and if I ever get to WDW on that week, I will wear a flashing neon button the size of my head if I want to, and again, if you don't like it, look away. Have a good night everyone!

 

[bumbershoot]

By the same token when you are home do you wear an "It's my Birthday Pin" when it is not your birthday?

But it doesn't say "It's my birthday". It says "Happy Birthday". You can, or you might not, put your name in the white spot. You could put someone else's name (and confuse everyone). You can do whatever you want. It does not say "it's my birthday".

I'm loving the continued convoluted justifications from a handful of posters who are protesting most vehemently. It's obvious that at some level, (perhaps from the hole in their dark black hearts, or whatever the phrase was), they realize what they're doing is "wrong."

But keep it coming.....it's been a blast.

I actually don't wear them anymore. I was at Disneyland ON my birthday during the "free on your birthday" year, and I probably wore it that day. (and didn't get the birthday stuff I was actually supposed to get at Cafe Orleans but whatever) (special beignets) Other than that, nope. DS doesn't like wearing it beyond his actual birthday, too. DH loves wearing such things, but HIS birthday is right at the beginning of Spring Break so let's all realize he's never going to get to go to Disney on his birthday. (somehow it's more expensive then than for DS and my birthdays which are, actually, on holidays)

So there's nothing convoluted with me. On this topic at least. Ha.

If I walked into a Disney park on my actual birthday and I was wearing a pin and so was EVERYONE else? Yay, happy birthday to all of us! What on earth do I care if it's not the exact birthday for others? I don't. I'm so very happy that everyone else is choosing to *celebrate* their birthdays on that day, because that's super awesome and FUN! Yay for extra happiness and smiles!

Except for the people who put them on and forget it, or don't expect that strangers *might* notice it (DH is a huge birthday button noticer and will call out best wishes across a street), or get weirded out that someone knows it's Little Miss or Mr Madison's birthday. Those people bring things down. But everyone else, yay, it's your birthday! Let's all go on Disneyland's Pooh ride (b/c I don't think the one in MK has the same theme) and say "it's my birthday!" over and over.

Except for me. Heck, I CRIED while people sang me HB for years and years (my little kid birthday pix are a joy), and I still feel most awkward about the whole thing. Gimme a fun trip, say it once, be done with it. But that's my own quirk.

 

[maxiesmom]

Okay, so I have a question to those that think people shouldn't wear a pin, even one day off of their birthday.

When you are at home, and someone wishes you a happy birthday, but it is belated. Do you correct them? Or do you accept the good wishes?

I simply accept the good wishes. I wouldn't think to say, "thank you, but my birthday was yesterday."

I just had this happen. I didn't work on my birthday. One of my co-workers said Happy Late Birthday, and another overheard them and asked what was going on. Co-worker number one said it was my birthday, and I did correct them and said it was a couple of days ago.

To me, it is odd to accept birthday wishes that are not given on the date. Most people that I know say something like Happy Birthday Late! Your birthday is your birthday, not a few days or months after.

 

[gracerussell]

Well, I must say that I am having a good time reading the responses. Holy moly, I had no idea what a can of worms I was opening

 

[Goofy30JHQ]

Very entertaining thread! I'm sure the OP didn't expect it would still be going like it is