Pedants needed! I'm tying myself in knots over party invitation.

[tallwivglasses]

My friend and I are having a shared birthday party. This is what I've got so far (not real names of course):

You are invited to a party to mark the occasion of Joan and Maxine?s shared birthdays.

Now. Is it "Joan's and Maxine's"? Is it "shared birthday"? I've spent far too long pondering this and the invitations need to be out (not convinced friend will get it right either...). Please, please help and I'll send you some cake

[Crikeyblimey]

What about "Joan and Maxine invite you to join them to celebrate their birthdays..."

Saves the apostrophe debacle :)

[nohalfmeasures]

"Joan and Maxine are sharing their birthday celebrations this year and we'd love you to join them!"

[fortyplus]

They're not 'shared birthdays' unless they're on the same day. Your text is too formal - 'to mark the occasion' sounds as though you've achieved something of note, not just grown another year older!

[nohalfmeasures]

...or should it be "sharing their birthday celebration" ??
It pays not to over-think these things!

[fortyplus]

Disclaimer: Three of us shared a 30th birthday party and sent out an invitation that said:

Fortyplus, Friend 1 and Friend 2
would like to invite you to their
90th Birthday Party

But that was a long time ago

[Trills]

I agree with Crikey - Joan and Maxine invite you to join them to celebrate their birthdays

[ZenGardener]

Joan and Maxine's shared birthday, for the original wording.

If your birthday is on the same day it would be celebrate their birthday. If your birthdays are different days then use celebrate their birthdays.

I think celebration or celebrations are both ok.

[tallwivglasses]

Wow that was quick, thanks. We do share the day - 10 years apart! The formal, pompous bit is a bit of a pisstake - we might even add 'cordially' and call it a soirree.

I like the bit idea of adding our birthdays together (it would come to more than 90!

Cheers, pedants xxx

[tallwivglasses]

Apologies for mistakes there