[Bonny]

I too have a birthday close to Christmas and so does my daughter.  I've learnt over the years that both are just another day and while it's nice to acknowledge your birth many cultures around the world don't, as with Christmas.  Families and friends can be tough to deal with especially if you feel that there not meeting your expectations, I've dealt with this over the years and i finally came to the realization that you have to try to live your life the way you want, the only person you are responsible is yourself, you can't control others and their behavior, you need to open your heart and accept them for what and who they are and while it may be hard to do this when you find their behavior offensive or hurtful you must not hold it against them, you can say 'No' to there behavior but in an non-emotional way.  They are just trying to navigate life as well in their own way, i've been teaching my daughters you can't fight fire with fire, you must use water, when people anger or are moody don't join in with your moody/anger (fire) it only makes the fire bigger, keep calm and rational, walk away but don't avoid them it's just passive aggression then, continue on what your doing or were doing, but don't engage the anger, unconsciously that's what they want (they don't realize that but they feel better when others get angry and moody with them 'can't beat them join em').  If you just keep grounded the moment will pass, I know it sounds a bit whimsical but just try it at least once. 
You can't depend on other for your happiness, but you can make yourself happy, as Bobbi said 'life is short', live your own life do what makes you happy and if that doesn't fit into societies norms (eg. clubbing and heaps of friends) who cares as long as your at peace and making your moments count.
xox
Happy Birthday x