Steven Zahm@ sarah1202
When you first add the widget it will use the date format that is set. If you change the date format after, it will still use the originally set. The date format can be changed in the widget itself on the Appearance : Widgets admin page. This is by design so a different date format can be set in the widget.
The upcoming anniversaries and birthdays are listing the “upcoming” date, not the actual date of the birthday. So, the years, when shown, will display the “upcoming” year. To explain further… If the celebration date has already past in the current year the following year will be shown. If the date is yet to come this year, the current year will be shown.
The reason for the design decision is because most people would rather the year not be shown so someone can figure out the exact age. Hope that make sense.