When I saw that positive pregnancy test, I began praying fervently. “Please don’t be a holiday baby,” I silently pleaded with the tiny being developing within me. I understood what that would mean: holiday babies often get one gift instead of two because, as folks like to say, “It’s all one big celebration!” Spoiler alert: it’s never just one big celebration.
Holiday babies end up with one cake while the whole world celebrates with another, because, “You share your special day!” So I kept wishing for a baby born after the holiday rush. I got a December 15 baby, right on schedule. I let out a sigh of relief; at least he wasn’t a Christmas baby. But a holiday baby is almost as bad as a Christmas baby—it’s a mixed bag of disappointment.
Party Themes
Take, for instance, party themes. My other two children have birthdays in November and we throw an epic bash filled with candy, two cakes, costumes, and gifts from the whole family. They celebrate for an entire week! Meanwhile, my holiday baby is stuck with a birthday that’s overshadowed by the festivities of the season. Who wants to compete with the glitz of twinkling lights and festive music? No one sings “Happy Birthday” while sipping eggnog, and fruitcake is a sad excuse for cake.
Guest Attendance
If you somehow manage to organize a holiday birthday party, good luck getting guests to attend. Everyone is too preoccupied with their own holiday plans—cleaning, shopping, and wrapping gifts. Many are either hosting their own gatherings or gearing up for them, leaving little room for a kid’s birthday celebration.
The Present Situation
Then there’s the present situation. Yes, my son receives a few more gifts because of the combined holiday celebrations, but it’s never as grand as the haul from a traditional birthday combined with Christmas. Gifts are usually wrapped in festive paper, meaning he’s greeted with “Happy Birthday! Here’s something from Santa!” every single year.
Finding Peace
I know some adults with holiday birthdays who have managed to make peace with it. My friend Mark celebrates his birthday in December, but his mom chose to throw him a party in April, which everyone pretended was his actual birthday. It included cake and all the American birthday staples. Still, he always felt a pang of disappointment for not having a party on the day that was truly his.
Making the Day Special
In our family, we do our best to make the day special. We might light a candle and give birthday gifts separate from the Christmas haul. We can skip the eggnog and the holiday rush, but we can’t control the rest of the world’s celebrations. Baby Jesus and his dazzling display always steal the show, and it can be disheartening.
Conclusion
In conclusion, holiday birthdays can feel like a bittersweet affair. While we can strive to carve out a moment of celebration for our child, the overwhelming presence of the holiday season often makes it challenging. We can’t change the world’s calendar, but we can certainly do our best to make the day special.
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