Is a half-birthday party a thing now?

[Beagles]

I just received an invitation from a co- worker who is hosting a party for her soon-to-be 6- month-old daughter. Are these parties becoming popular? Is a gift expected? Am I hopelessly behind the times?

I appreciate your insights!

 

[Mekp]

Is it perhaps a cultural celebration? I know, for example, a baby's first month is celebrated in Vietnamese culture.

Otherwise I think that's strange. I have never heard of a half birthday party. I hate to say this, but it seems a bit gift grabby.

 

[Bron357]

Huh?
I agree, unless it’s for a cultural / religious celebration I can’t see why a 6 month milestone is a special reason for a party.

 

[josieKat]

I used to have half birthdays as a kid because my birthday is right after the new year and it was too cold to have a celebration outside, and/or friends were away. Over the years I've met a few other people who also had birthdays right around xmas/new year's day who did the same thing. But it does seem a little odd for a baby! Maybe they are doing it now because with covid they couldn't celebrate when the baby was born?

 

[rainydaze]

Two of my kids were born during the summer non-school months. Their primary schools would celebrate their half-birthdays so they didn't feel left out. One tried very hard to get us to carry on this tradition at home and have birthday parties, gifts and all, on her half-birthdays. In addition to celebrating her true birthday. I refused to acknowledge it as 'a thing' - it made sense at school, but not at home. Other than for this purpose, I haven't run into it.

For a 6 month-old, it sounds like more of a good excuse to get together. It's not like the child is going to be aware of it and get attached to the concept. Unless they're looking for more gifts to help with having had a baby? Like a second baby shower in disguise? That would rub me the wrong way. I'd probably bring a food item like any other normal gathering and leave it at that (assuming I gave gifts at a baby shower and/or the birth of the child).

 

[Karl_K]

yes 1st 6 month bday party is a thing around here it has been for a few years. Not everyone does it ..but some do.
Gifts are usualy clothes for the kid.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I used to have half birthdays as a kid because my birthday is right after the new year and it was too cold to have a celebration outside, and/or friends were away. Over the years I've met a few other people who also had birthdays right around xmas/new year's day who did the same thing. But it does seem a little odd for a baby! Maybe they are doing it now because with covid they couldn't celebrate when the baby was born?

Yes i know of these birthdays too
the kids who had birthdays at Christmas or over the long xmas summer holidays when all there little freinds were out of town on holiday with their families and couldn't attend a party at that time of year

But its one birthday party per year (ok maybe something with mum & dad + grandma etc on their actual birthday)

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I just received an invitation from a co- worker who is hosting a party for her soon-to-be 6- month-old daughter. Are these parties becoming popular? Is a gift expected? Am I hopelessly behind the times?

I appreciate your insights!

Has the baby been sick ? or was he/she premature ?
That's the only non cultural reason i can think off

please do not make this become a thing !

 

[kenny]

Hey, what the Hell?
Let's give junior a birthday party every month.
My mini-me, my DNA is so special, nothing is too good for them.

 

[ForteKitty]

Hey, what the Hell?
Let's give junior a birthday party every month.
My mini-me, my DNA is so special, nothing is too good for them.

My coworker did that. They didn't expect the child to live beyond 6 months so it was a big milestone every month. Gifts were not expected, they just wanted to celebrate. He didn't reach his 1st birthday.

 

[kenny]

So sad.

 

[Rhea]

I hope it's not a normal thing! I think this year has made everything a bit crazy.

I had a significant birthday during lockdown, which is still partially in effect in England through various restrictions limiting gatherings. I can't have the party I want for a big milestone and it's a tiny bit upsetting which is exasperated by all the feelings and emotions the limitations have caused. I hope to have a half birthday if things are back to being allowed.

6 months ago would be early to middle December? That was a crazy time for a lot of areas. Without further information I'd assume that this person wants to celebrate the birth of their child and introduce it to their friends while it's warm and they can gather outside where it might be safer, people are less busy with the holidays, and while there aren't as many restrictions.

If it becomes a thing every 6 months I'd either be bowing out or treating it as a social gathering rather than birthday celebration which needs gifts.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

My coworker did that. They didn't expect the child to live beyond 6 months so it was a big milestone every month. Gifts were not expected, they just wanted to celebrate. He didn't reach his 1st birthday.

That's very sad
but also a really good reason for having a little birthday every month

 

[VRBeauty]

I’m guessing it has to do with avoiding a birthday celebration in the middle of the holidays, but... that’s just a guess.

 

[Rhd3]

I've known people to informally celebrate half birthdays. I have a toddler and this is the first I've heard about half birthday parties for babies. I'd bring a small gift if I received an invite.

 

[ringbling17]

Could it be a baptism/ christening party? I had a few of my kids christened a few months after they were born and had parties to celebrate the occasion.
Also a few of people I know didn’t have baby showers and instead do a welcoming of the baby when it is a month to a few months old. I’m wondering if due to Covid she didn’t do it but now bc Covid restrictions have eased up, she is more comfortable doing one.

If I was planning on going I would definitely bring a gift.

 

[Niel]

There are many things it could be
Maybe they could not have a baby shower during Covid.
Maybe it’s cultural.
Maybe they haven’t seen their family in months and want to find any reason to celebrate.
Maybe like FK said their are medical issues they’ve overcome
Why do we have to $h*t on everything? Don’t wanna go just don’t go.

 

[MillieLou]

It's not a thing as far as I'm aware, but it sounds like harmless fun.

I doubt there is etiquette but I would think a token gift like a little bath toy or book would be perfect if you fancy going. Everyone needs a rubber duck.

Give it a miss if you don't. I am on excellent terms with my co-workers but never socialise with them outside - I'm an introvert and, well, we can see each other at work

 

[Beagles]

Thanks for the responses. I participated in 2 showers prior to the birth so I think I am passing on this celebration.

 

[PinkAndBlueBling]

When my eldest turned 6 months, I baked a cake and bought her some toys. I think I just wanted cake and an excuse to buy toys. Unfortunately, we have a photo of the event, and she decided that's the norm. One freaking time only, yet she's in her mid-20s now, and still expects us to celebrate her half birthday, which of course we won't. She gets an obligatory "happy half birthday" and that's it.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

We do a mini celebration AT HOME every month for the first year! I have one friend from Indiana who celebrates her daughter's birthday (party with friends and all) on her half birthday since it's in July vs. January. They do not do a party for her "real" birthday. It's all very odd to me but to each their own.

 

[tyty333]

We celebrated the kid's half-birthdays from about 2 1/2 years old on. It stopped when they turned double digits (10 years old).
I would serve half a cake with half a candle on it. I would usually get them 1 gift. It was purely a family thing. No one was invited
(no extended family). It actually wasn't even a party. Just desert after dinner and then open the 1 gift. It seemed like it was always
a big deal for my kids to be able to say they were 6 and a HALF vs just 6.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

We celebrated the kid's half-birthdays from about 2 1/2 years old on. It stopped when they turned double digits (10 years old).
I would serve half a cake with half a candle on it. I would usually get them 1 gift. It was purely a family thing. No one was invited
(no extended family). It actually wasn't even a party. Just desert after dinner and then open the 1 gift. It seemed like it was always
a big deal for my kids to be able to say they were 6 and a HALF vs just 6.

That sounds like fun
lucky for them they didn't get only half a gift !

 

[lambskin]

Daughter, born in summer,missed out on school celebration. I never recognized it but once when she asked to bring cupcakes to school I did so. She is now 18 and when the half bday comes up she mentions it. I do not recognize it. However, I never miss making a big deal for her bday.

 

[musicloveranthony]

I'd take the invite and ask what I can bring to eat or drink - a 6 month old certainly doesn't need or expect a gift

 

[ExplorePS]

Wow I would be shocked/confused/surprised if I received that type of invitation as well. I've heard of parents celebrating 1 year birthday, more so for themselves (survived 1 year of parenting) than for the child.

I guess I would ask the other coworkers what they might be doing and stay within the average. Good luck figuring out next steps!

 

[seaurchin]

Cool resurrected zombie thread. I must have missed it the first time around.

I think there have gotten to be more "occasions" than there used to be and even the ones that did exist have also become more elaborate. To me tbh, it can come across as self-centered. I'm not sure about it being a gift grab though. Throwing a party takes a lot of time, effort and money so I'm not sure if most people would come out ahead anyway lol.

Nowadays, there are showers for babies beyond the first one and for marriages beyond the first one. Gender reveal parties. Push presents.

Also just what's expected for the occasions that aren't new, like weddings that are "destination weddings" and cost the guests a bundle to attend plus time off work. Out-of-town bachelor/bachelor parties. Vow renewals that put nearly as much strain on the guests as a wedding. Kids' birthday parties that go far beyond the cake and ice cream plus a few little games with cheap prizes that used to be the norm (and even then, you wouldn't get all that every year). I've never heard of half-birthday parties before, though.

But I try to remember that when you get to be my age well, duh, things do tend to change over 300 years, right? That said, to me, it really can get a me-me-me vibe to it that isn't all that appealing. Sure, we don't have to go, but if we're talking about the issue itself. I'm more likely to just have "get togethers" rather than "let's all honor and celebrate me or mine and most likely bring a present too."

But if I wanted to go, I would and then I would bring a gift. All just my own dumb opinions of course but, personally, I would feel kind of curmudgeonly not to bring a gift.

 

[Begonia]

Goofy reason to have a party with friends and family? OK.
An expectation of birthday cake and prezzies?
Nope. I'm busy that day.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Lots of Hallmark designed ‘occasions’ made for the purpose of grabbing consumer dollars. No interest in half birthdays for me!

Edited to add: I have known folks with kids with winter birthdays that had ‘half birthdays’ in the summer so that kids could have outdoor or swim birthday parties. Call me an old curmudgeon but teach your kids to deal with real life! If you were born in February, deal with a February birthday. Trying to rewrite history just leaves kids to think that everything can be rearranged to suit them. Seems that we have gone so soft over so many things these days!

 

[ame]

God I fcking hope not.