A Social Media Birthday & Christmas Celebration
At 12:30 am this Christmas morning, my best friend and his wife extended their annual tradition of being the first to call to wish me a happy birthday. Only this time, the wife half of the duo sent a text message from both of them. Receiving the text wishes was a change of pace, but it’s what they do, and I’ve come to expect to hear from them early on my birthday. What I did not expect was the flood of well wishes that came in through social tools from my Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin online communities.
Friends and associates normally share holidays with family members that either they have traveled to see or that have traveled to see them. So, those of us who have birthdays that fall on holidays have generally grown accustomed to not hearing from or seeing many people on the actual days of our birthdays. People have been more than willing to call or stop after the holidays pass.
This is year was decidedly different, and social communications tools made the difference for this birthday boy. Friends from all over the world took a second to send emails, text messages, tweets, comments, photos, and voicemails. The birthday reminder used on most social media networks is a simple feature, yet it may be one of the most important features available to keep us connected and top-of-mind with each other. What better way to “touch” someone than to send a harmless “Happy Birthday, Dude!” message? No questions. No requests. No expectations. No selling. Just a simple “I’m thinking of you; Hope all is well.” birthday note. Perfect!
Thank you to all of those who shared and continue to share birthday and holiday well wishes with me and my family.
Here are the two questions asked most of me about having a birthday that falls on Christmas. If you have a burning question about this scenario, have at it.
So, you share a birthday with Jesus Christ?
Depends on how technical you want to get with ancient history, but ‘yes’.
That sucks, do you get cheated out of presents?
When you’re 12 years old and your worth is tied to your birthday bounty, it was a bit of a drag. When you’re 35 years old, not so much. Family and friends are what’s important to me now.
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Although the group texts are very convenient, I miss the personal touch of calling those I don’t get to see over the holidays, the cards with personal messages, and all that good stuff.
I try and make it point to get as many calls in from 12/24 to 1/2 as I possible can… when geographical distance keeps you from loved ones, nothing beats the voice on the other end of the line. A text message is just NOT the same thing…
Either way, I’m glad you received so many well-wishes!
Glad you had a happy/merry one.
Like Jaded, I like the personal twist on things.
Have a prosperous New Year.
As a fellow Sag, I totally understand what you’re going through. My birthday is December 9th. I have grown accustomed to being “short changed” on my birth day.
Through facebook and twitter…my birthday felt a lot different. I was always one who never liked a big deal about my birthday. This year was totally different. Through facebook, twitter and my blog…the day was a lot different from normal. It felt good to get wishes from friends and family from different parts of the world. Social media websites made the day that much more special.
Very nice post! While not as significant I am a Valentine’s Day baby so I understand about the whole birthday on a holiday thing. Being single on V-day makes it twice as bad. Haven’t minded as much since I’ve been with the hubby. Happy Belated birthday!
I was fortunate to have parents who made a point to avoid the short change. My birthday is Dec 21st. My parents did a party every year until I turned 13. That they paid for the party & my friends bought the gifts.
Now that I have a baby with a birthday on Dec 18th, I fully expect to never get another birthday present. The love of family & friends is all I need now. But I do plan to treat myself to a adult only vacation every five years…starting next year with 35.