Birthdays are the one time of year that we all get to enjoy. How we choose to celebrate may vary according to our location, culture, and maybe even age. But, what do you do if you share a birthday with a holiday? According to the calendar, certain holidays are fixed on the schedule, while others vary. Holidays like Christmas, occurs every year on December 24th, while holidays like Easter differ on the date.
So does your holiday fall on a Holiday? Or has your birthday ever overlapped with holidays like Easter? When you share this holiday what may you feel? Are you happy or merely disappointed that the attention you desire has shifted?
As an individual who lives in New York City, a multicultural sea with people across the global call home. Thus, I get to share a birthday on a day that recurs on the same day every year. It’s the day the Irish call a day of celebration. The Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th.
What are some of the Pros of having a birthday on holiday that the Irish Celebrate? Well, I haven't indeed found many besides the fact that it's my birthday and I get presents.
1)Though I have found plenty of cons of my birthday overlapping the Irish holiday some of which include:
2)Every place in the city that serves alcohol is packed, growing up this was not fun. So I have to celebrate either the day before or the day after if I intend to avoid long waits at restaurants.
3)I was the brown girl with a very European birthday. Having a birthday on St. Patricks day implies that I wear green because the holiday was such which required it. Like why green? And that too on my birthday?
4)As a college student, I have had to undergo midterms right around my birthday, often the week before or the week after my birthday. So do you study or do you merely go out and enjoy your birthday? Yes, for a student like myself, spring break comes after midterms.
5)Being a student also means that I won't always have the opportunity to have my friends around, as they all have busy schedules and with midterms ongoing around my birthday, they are not likely to come out.
6)Being from a South Asian and having a conservative parent, and being over 21, I probably won't be enjoying all the perks that come with the age I am at (Yes, I am defiant of my parent's cultural beliefs at times).
Thus, having a birthday that overlaps a holiday like St. Patrick's Day in NYC and as a college student is tough. It is hard to be of a different culture and celebrate your birthday which is relevant to many who live in the city. Despite the cons, it is very commendable the respect that people have for the day of the Irish. It is incredible to see every culture appreciate in this city. Though I may not always be able to celebrate it is great to see that people get together and light up the city regardless of the day St. Patrick's day falls on.
