Celebrating Birthday's in December

I have a Birthday at the beginning of December, so does my brother and cousin. When we were young we would all celebrate them together. It was great fun.

As we got older, my brother and I would always get together to choose where we wanted to go for our birthday dinner. I really missed it when I left for college. The year he was at the same college we had a great birthday with all his friends and mine.

Now that I am a mom, with older teenage sons, I have to remind them that my birthday is right after Thanksgiving (sort of). I have tried to teach them to remember other peoples birthdays, but being guys, they don't seem to remember. Even my husband has a hard time remembering.

So this year, after them forgetting for the 3rd year in a row.....I decided that we will decorate the house for Christmas on the day before my birthday. That way it is all decorated and ready for a celebration...do you think they will remember?

We will be starting ths next year, I am putting it on my calendar to remind me when the time comes...wish me luck.

Hugs,

Lynda aka Cyamesetat

Hi! I found it interesting the conversations written about December birthdays.  My Mom's birthday was December 17th and I remember while growing up that almost everyone forgot her birthday.  Seeing how disappointed she would be I made it a point to always do "something" for her on HER day.  She usually exclaimed that I was the only one who remembered!!  For her 60th birthday I gave her the best present -- her first grandchild!  My son was born the day before her birthday.  Together we made sure that over the next few years to hold birthday parties just for his and her day.  Mom is no longer with us and was not here when my second child was born on December 21st!!  Double the December dilemma!

I feel, too, that it is extremely important to celebrate the birthday separate from Christmas but it has become a challenge when our December is so busy.  My son no longer has parties (teenager) but my soon-to-be 9 year old has been planning the next birthday party for months.  When she turned 4, I started holding her party a month earlier and BEFORE Thanksgiving which helped with the combination gifts and friends being available to attend their parties.  We have even held my daughter's party in October but on her actual birthday she will have just us 4 celebrating with her cake and the big present from Mom and Dad (I give her a small gift at her party). 

Both of my children have shown obvious disappointment when people combine their birthday gift with a Christmas gift.  I try to discourage it but the concept falls on deaf ears.  Family members have actually not given her a gift at her party stating they'll give it to her ON her birthday and then they still combine the days.

I'll admit it gets confusing when we celebrate a month early and when the actual birthdays come along their friends will get confused (when they're young). 

I've already started shopping for Christmas so when my childrens' birthdays roll around I'm not finding myself shorting them with their birthday gifts or parties.  I'll admit it takes extra planning but I find that it's so important and well worth it for my children!

Katie

I'm one of the lucky one with a Christmas Eve birthday, although I didn't always think so.  It was never a problem when I was small, but when I went to grade school I came home crying one day.  My Dad, who was never a fan of one of his five daughters crying asked me, "What's the matter".  I told him, "the kids at school told me I get cheated because my birthday is on Christmas Eve".  With the wisdom only a parent can possess, my Father told me, "that maybe they were jealous, because Santa Clause came on the night of my birthday and didn't come on their birthday".  I was 7 years old and still think of this as one of the great moments of clarity in my life.

Yes Christmas Eve is my birthday, when I became an adult I decided since it was my birthday I could change the rules.  As far as gifts are concerned I ask my family to make a donation, (i.e. gloves, hats, food) to a local program for families in need.  In addition, because it's my birthday, my husband dresses as Santa Clause and I wrap small gifts that he distributes to each family member after they sit on his lap.  Yes, even my 93 year old Grandmother had to go and sit on Santa lap every year.  The videos from these Christmas Eve celebrations are a real treasure.

Christmas birthdays are magical if our parents at an early age, let us know just how special we are.  If birthday become family days of celebration instead of days of "I always get cheated" each and every December birthday will always be truly special.