P.S. Yes, it is a pain having a birthday so close to Christmas (mine's 8th January). I had years of 'Oh but you had a big Christmas present' to explain/excuse the record token I invariably got for my birthday!
This year was my fiftieth and my man arranged a surprise party at a local club, complete with my favourite band. Best birthday I ever had, at last I didn't feel like an afterthought.