https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 21:33:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays/page/2#post-1622682 Thu, 08 May 2014 19:59:15 +0000 Mae 1622682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: i've never thrown myself a birthday party either! I'm not really into the whole world celebrating me. Pretty much just want to spend the day with DH doing fun stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays/page/2#post-1622673 Thu, 08 May 2014 19:57:09 +0000 Anagram 1622673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like holidays but I like to keep them simple. </p> <p>Low-key, no gift lists, no price points. Birthdays, I prefer to only celebrate major turning points with parties. I didn't give my LO a Christmas gift, valentine's gift, or easter presents this year because she's a baby and super happy playing with empty boxes and plastic bags at this point. I do hope to teach her (when she's older) that it's a luxury to even have all your basic needs met, as there are kids in this world who don't even have access to clean water, enough food, or shoes--and to that end, I'll never buy her gigantic piles of presents just because we can afford to. That's definitely a lesson I learned from my parents.</p> <p>I'm not saying there's not a time and place for spoiling our loved ones, I'm just not good at sticking to a set day.</p> <p>Generally I'm a live and let live kind of person, so I don't expect other families to have the same values or ideals--everyone should do what works for their own families. But I'm grateful that my family is on the same page, because after reading the MIL thread, I don't think I'd have a good relationship with the type of people that expect whole days devoted to themselves and send out requested gift lists. </p> <p>Luckily, I haven't had to deal with that. =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays/page/2#post-1622660 Thu, 08 May 2014 19:55:46 +0000 Modern Daisy 1622660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I'm not into them at all. I've always celebrated my parents on these days, but it's always felt forced and commercial to me. And I'm not into celebrating birthdays either, especially at my age, I get annoyed when my friends plan themselves a big birthday party and I would NEVER want my friends celebrating my birthday! Haha, bah humbug :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622612 Thu, 08 May 2014 19:45:25 +0000 Mae 1622612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wonderstruck: that is what is important! we've had that discussion about various things... for both of us really! What matters is what matters to the other person, not necessarily if we "get" it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622581 Thu, 08 May 2014 19:40:21 +0000 wonderstruck 1622581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Unfortunately, at my DH's house growing up it wasn't even money-based. They're well off, but my MIL will just throw a bunch of clearance/garage sale/dollar store crap in a bag and call it a day, price stickers still on the stuff on everything (seriously...even if it's from a garage sale.) So for him even putting real thought into a gift, or looking more at what the card said than if it cost more than $1, was still something I kind of had to teach him. Because while it's not about how much money he spends...that goes both ways, you know? I'm not asking him to spend a ton, but if he puts more thought into how he can spend the least amount of money rather than what he thinks I would really like, that's a problem. I'm still not sure he really gets why it's important to me, but he knows that it is and it's not a problem anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622493 Thu, 08 May 2014 19:25:58 +0000 Mae 1622493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wonderstruck: Same with my husband! He did not grow up in a house where making people feel special through actions was a thing. They bought stuff. Love = money, basically. So he's always been good about getting me STUFF and it is generally really thoughtful because he likes giving gifts... but for me it's more about the planning. Him waking me up with breakfast and having a day of fun stuff planned (and like you-- I'm totally cool with dinner and a movie, or going to the park, or whatever, as long as I'M not the one planning it) means way more to me than if I wandered downstairs to find an expensive gift on the counter and him going "so uhhhh what do you want to do?" But we've had those talks and now he gets how important the planning/thought is to me :) </p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: oh yea NOT cool. People complaining about gifts is basically my biggest annoyance ever. Most especially amount or cost of said gifts. My fam does not do that, at all, ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622490 Thu, 08 May 2014 19:24:59 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1622490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: my dad was not into holidays, so i used to feel bad for my mom because she would try to make bdays and Christmas special for us. When I became older I would go over board to "me up" the years when I didn't know any better that holidays were one sided. Granted I was kid, but starting at 14 she was spoiled. Once I became an adult she pretty much stopped celebrating my bday outside of a call. Yet expected to be pampered for her 3 holidays. Then, I really was turned off when she complained one Christmas for not getting alot and put the blame on my husband- "I got more before you had to start buying for him." Pretty ungrateful. </p> <p>This year we are doing something on both Sat and Sun and let's just say this is so stupid. I am nice to her, treat her often, and tell her how much I love her and appreciate her all the time. Mother's Day has become a litmus test for love when really mom's are cherished year round. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622396 Thu, 08 May 2014 19:04:24 +0000 bushelandapeck 1622396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am. We grew up with my mom making a big deal out of every holiday so that has definitely carried over to how I celebrate. I don't like to ask for things but I certainly do want to be recognized when it's my birthday/Morhers Day, etc. even of it's just a nice card and a day with DH and DS. I also really enjoy putting a lot of thought into holidays and birthdays for others and am always looking for small ways/things that would show someone my appreciation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622224 Thu, 08 May 2014 18:19:56 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1622224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm into all holidays and celebrations but they aren't all equal. I do want them to be special though for myself and for the people I love. Mother's Day isn't huge yet but i would be sad if it was completely forgotten. Birthdays I am less into now than I was and don't need a party anymore but I like to feel special.y sons birthday is a huge deal to me. Christmas an Halloween are my absolutely favorite ones! I seriously get excited just thinking about them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622184 Thu, 08 May 2014 18:01:19 +0000 wonderstruck 1622184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sunshine: Bahaha, you sound like me! This year when DH told me happy birthday, I said thank you then added, "Now tell me that you love me, and that I'm pretty...and changing the baby's poopy diaper couldn't hurt either." :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622170 Thu, 08 May 2014 17:54:19 +0000 wonderstruck 1622170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am TOTALLY into these days! I like doing little things to make my DH feel special and appreciated on his birthday and Father's Day...waking up early to cook or go get one of his favorite breakfasts, finding a gift I think he'd like, and just kind of pampering him that day. I do think that comes from my parents - my parents always took us shopping before those days to choose something for mom/dad, and I can remember my dad waking up early to go get my mom a birthday cafe mocha, or my mom making a special trip to the grocery store to make sure we had dad's favorite foods on Father's Day. Plus I loved having them do those special things for me on my birthday!</p> <p>DH, on the other hand, comes from a family where those days aren't a big deal - he appreciates what I do for him, but didn't necessarily feel inclined to do the same. That took some work, because while the everyday stuff is what really makes up a marriage...I'm not going to lie, those days are special for me and I don't think it's asking a lot for him to put a bit of extra thought into doing nice things for me twice a year. But I think we have a pretty good system going now - I'm pretty blunt about what I would like since subtle hints don't take, and he will basically get me whatever I asked for or take me wherever I mentioned and act like it's his idea, hahaha.</p> <p>ETA: And I feel the need to clarify that my hints are not diva-like! For my birthday last month all I wanted was a date night so that we could eat at Mongolian Barbecue and go to the movies to see see Divergent. For Mother's Day I sent him links to pretty birthstone jewelry, but it was all pretty inexpensive stuff, like $50 and under. I went kind of nuts on his birthday though, but it was his 30th, so I consider that to be a good excuse </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622167 Thu, 08 May 2014 17:53:52 +0000 MrsStormy 1622167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm into it. Really I'm into pretty much all holidays. I think family is super important and I like having reasons for everyone to get together. I also think it is nice to have an excuse to celebrate people you love, its easy to forget in the craziness of life just how important certain people are to you and how much they need to hear that some times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622165 Thu, 08 May 2014 17:52:23 +0000 Andrea 1622165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not into it and it's probably because of how it was raised. My parents didn't make a big deal about any holidays or birthdays. I'm trying to make it a bigger deal for my kids, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622149 Thu, 08 May 2014 17:42:17 +0000 photojane 1622149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I'm the same. :) </p> <p>I just love celebrating. Any holiday will do. Hallmark is marketing to me. ;)</p> <p>I don't expect anything grand for mother's day, but I definitely want to celebrate it. Becoming a mother changed my life in so many amazing ways - totally a great reason to celebrate. I'm not getting a gift, we're just spending our celebration day doing fun family things that I want to do (trampoline park &amp; strawberry picking!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622131 Thu, 08 May 2014 17:34:51 +0000 Lindsay05 1622131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not but I want to be better at it. I have a LO turning 2 next month and I really should be planning it but I haven't started yet :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1622126 Thu, 08 May 2014 17:33:10 +0000 hellocupcake 1622126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH is soooo over his birthday because his mom went ALL OUT every year. I was already preparing myself to have to force him to get excited for LO's birthday...well, he insists that we have a party for her every year. I told him after her first birthday that I was okay to do low key birthdays for a while and he was like "no, she has to have a party." It was very matter of fact like. My parents celebrated "big" birthdays (1, 5, 10) but then nothing much besides cake and maybe a small BBQ. All this to say, I am all about birthdays, Mother's Day, etc. but, I am all for celebrating when it is convenient. Mother's Day brunch is packed? Looks like we'll be having steak Monday night. Dad can't get Father's Day off? We'll BBQ on Wednesday night. I just like being with family and taking a moment to celebrate something together. </p> <p>Side note: we already celebrated Mother's Day on Monday since we won't be able to get together this weekend. DH works Sunday so it will be me and LO all alone; totally works for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621985 Thu, 08 May 2014 16:05:39 +0000 Greentea 1621985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am anti-holiday but I do love mother's day now that I am a mom and father's day now that dh is a dad and all of our birthdays. Those are sincere holidays for me I will celebrate (what they represent) any day, even the arbitrary (predetermined as a holiday/ time to celebrate) day! :silly: other than that I resent the guilt and obligation around holidays in large part due to the relatives I grew up around and the way holidays were handled and being more of a free spirit and anti-consumer.</p> <p>I also feel that holidays are a bit elitist. DH works every holiday... as if they are just for certain classes. I carry a certain resentment toward them for that reason. For example I planned a much needed weekend for us and dh found out he had to work that weekend because it happened to be Easter and a million people wanted off to be with family... When it comes to personal holidays however I like celebrating them and I know I have a better association with them now that they are more on our own terms. (Negative associations stem from relatives.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621978 Thu, 08 May 2014 16:01:20 +0000 JerricaBenton 1621978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: yeah I think if you demand things of your family that they're not wanting to do, or don't reciprocate, or expect them to be mindreaders if you aren't clear about what you'd like, then you're a diva! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621927 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:32:16 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1621927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I looooove birthdays! My mom always made them special and I like doing the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621923 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:29:13 +0000 catlady 1621923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like birthdays. Mine and other peoples. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621911 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:24:42 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1621911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm into most holidays because it's an excuse to get together with family and friends. Not usually anything extravagant, unless it's a big one like first Father's Day or my dad's 75th birthday. Then I try to do something big, but usually I just want to do something to make the other person feel special. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621910 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:24:11 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1621910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm indifferent about things like Mother's Day and Father's Day. We celebrate, but don't make a huge deal out of it. We acknowledge they exist &amp; get a small gift for one another ("from the kids") that chloe picks out, but that's it. We don't get together with family, who doesn't make a big deal out of it either.</p> <p>Birthdays are fun, though! We make a huge deal out of Chloe's &amp; always do something for each other. Now that we are parents, we include Chloe in the birthday plans. She always picks out a cake mix and frosting, and helps bake a cake for him/me/her.</p> <p>So much fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621893 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:19:35 +0000 Mae 1621893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JerricaBenton: haha I don't think it does, obviously! I think it's just a nice family dynamic when everyone makes an effort to make everyone else feel special. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621890 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:18:35 +0000 JerricaBenton 1621890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Im into them! I'm into all holidays really. To me it's an excuse to inject a little fun and excitement into life and have fun with the people you love. I make a big deal out of birthdays and mother's/father's days/Christmas for my parents and husband and I expect the same effort for myself. If that makes you a diva then I guess I am :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621887 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:17:52 +0000 Mae 1621887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swurlygurl: Sounds like our families are similar :) My dad doesn't text me because he knows I won't forget but he totally texts my brother before my mom's birthday and mother's day to remind him still! (and my brother is 37 lol). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621878 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:14:11 +0000 swurlygurl 1621878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am into EVERYTHING! I love a good celebration. </p> <p>And, like you, nothing extravagant, I just love giving recognition where it's due (in regards to Mother's/Father's Day). My parents were also very good at making sure my sister and I were appreciating the other parent enough. I'm halfway across the country, and my dad will still send me a text to make sure I let my mom know that I'm thinking about her on Mother's Day.</p> <p>I looove birthdays, but I don't go huge with them. I usually host a brunch for my own birthday. I'm not expecting gifts or for other people to throw me parties or something, I'm just excited to get together with people I love and celebrate something - so I do all the work! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621853 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:09:18 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 1621853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually don't feel that strongly about Mother's Day for myself but I do for my mom &amp; I know I will make a big deal of DH'S first father's day. I am a HUGE birthday fanatic. Everyone must serve me &amp; do as I say &amp; tell me I'm beautiful &amp; love me lol but in my defense I do the exact same thing for others birthdays (if we are close). It's just how it was in my house &amp; I like it. I like treating others special &amp; I like being treated special. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621852 Thu, 08 May 2014 15:09:13 +0000 regberadaisy 1621852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: growing up we never celebrated mother's / father's / birthdays. The former is a very American thing. But personally feel like all amazing mom's and dads should be celebrated. Yes they should be very single day. But on honesty life gets busy so it's nice to have one day where you have to celebrate them or us. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621819 Thu, 08 May 2014 14:59:55 +0000 Cherrybee 1621819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I do not buy each other gifts or cards for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentines or any of the Hallmark type occasions. We just never have. DH has never bought me flowers and never bought me chocolates!! We do take each other's (and our own) birthdays off work, though, and spend the time together. I think for us it's more about quality time than spending money so it's not like we don't *recognize* birthdays....</p> <p>We do make a fuss of other people on these occasions, though, if it means something to them. We will make a big fuss of LO, too!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-into-mothersfathers-daybirthdays#post-1621800 Thu, 08 May 2014 14:53:17 +0000 Mae 1621800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I feel like this is why spouses are so important! And also I think that sort of situation is sort of self-perpetuating..? Like I can't ever remember my mom asking or hinting around for anything for mother's day. She never had to because my dad was the driving force behind making us realize that taking a day to tell her how much we love and appreciate her is the least we can do. And he was right! I&lt;3 my mom so much, and I love making her feel special when I get the chance. I think if my dad had had an attitude of like "well it's mother's day so I guess she expects us to do something... ugh... get her a card or something" I probably would have grown up feeling like it was an annoying obligation rather than an opportunity to show love. But also, because we DID make her feel special, she never had to hint for it or ask for it, which would perpetuate the feeling of it being an annoying obligation I think. </p>