Yes, and giving the gift before or after the actual day without wrapping paper always felt flat and fake. I would point out to other Witnesses that they were just trying to get around the rules, but they would deny it. Very depressing.
I was tired of trying to make up special days to celebrate, and my kids never felt what they were supposed to, because it was all so contrived.. I always felt terrible.
I guess because I was raised with birthdays I knew what they were missing out on. When we did start celebrating everything, the feeling was incredible! It was definitely the right decision, and my kids now have some great memories. It was just another way for the WTBS to separate JW and non-JW families.
Funny, my non-JW family didn't shun us when we decided to be normal again-they welcomed us with open arms just like the Prodigal Son parable. JW's could learn alot about true love from "the world".