As soon as I saw that positive pregnancy test, a wave of hope and apprehension washed over me. I found myself silently wishing, “Please don’t be a December baby.” The reason was clear: children born around the holiday season often end up with fewer celebrations and presents. People rationalize that it’s “one big gift” for both occasions, but let’s be honest—it’s never quite as generous as it sounds.
Having a birthday on a holiday means sharing the spotlight with festive celebrations. My friend Jenna’s son is a Halloween baby, and their family revels in a week-long birthday bash filled with candy, costumes, and cake. In contrast, a December birthday is overshadowed by Christmas festivities. How can you compete with twinkling lights and carols? The excitement of the season tends to steal the thunder from the birthday festivities, leaving the birthday child feeling like a side note.
Throwing a birthday party during the holiday season is nearly impossible. Friends and family are often too preoccupied with their own holiday plans to attend, making the guest list for a birthday party seem painfully sparse. If they aren’t out shopping or preparing for other celebrations, they’re busy with the endless to-do lists that come with the season. It’s not uncommon to find yourself with a birthday cake and no guests to share it with.
Then there’s the issue of gifts. While it may seem like combining birthday and holiday presents would result in a windfall, it usually doesn’t measure up. The gifts often come wrapped in holiday-themed paper, which can be a constant reminder that the birthday celebration is secondary to Christmas. Every year, it’s the same old story: “Happy Birthday, here’s a gift from Santa!”
I know people who have navigated this tricky territory. For instance, my neighbor Mark has a birthday on December 25th but tries to keep the traditions alive. He celebrates with a special birthday cake that his family has made for generations. Others, like my friend Lisa, have chosen to celebrate their child’s birthday on a different day altogether, creating the illusion of a separate celebration. However, the underlying disappointment of not having a distinct birthday always lingers.
In our family, we do our best to make the most of the situation. We light a candle, give gifts on both occasions, and try to create some separation in the wrapping paper. We even attempted to host a birthday party a few months later, but it led to confusion among guests, who weren’t sure what day we were actually celebrating.
Ultimately, there’s only so much you can do to counteract the overshadowing holiday festivities. We can focus on celebrating the child and their special day, but it’s a challenge when the world around us is in full holiday mode. The celebration of Christmas and its accompanying traditions will always take precedence, and that can be disheartening for a child who just wants their moment in the spotlight.
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In summary, while holiday birthdays can present unique challenges, they also invite opportunities for creativity and resilience in celebrating a child’s special day. By focusing on what matters most—the joy and love surrounding the birthday child—we can find ways to make these occasions memorable despite the holiday chaos.