Thanksgiving has come and gone. The people who have not already are turning on the Christmas music and decorating for the most wonderful time of the year.
December is my favorite month and Christmas is my favorite season. Not just because of the lights, colors, decorations and cooler weather, but because it is my birthday month. My birthday falls on December the 26th, the day right after Christmas. As a kid, it was great because I had two days in a row to open presents. What was better than that? I know many people are born around the holidays and they experience the same perks and problems I do.
1. I only have to make one list.
Growing up, my brother would have to make a birthday list in June and a Christmas list in December. I, on the other hand, would write a list in December and at the top I would write: Christmas and Birthday list. It was so easy (perk). I could also ask for larger presents that would be a combination between the two days. The downfall is that I only get presents one time a year when my brother gets presents once every six months. Say I think of something at the beginning of summer I really want, but can't afford on my own. I have to wait until December to ask for it (downfall).
2. It's hard to have a party.
Having a birthday party is impossible if it is anywhere in December. People are out of town and too many Christmas parties take up the days of the week. My birthday, in particular, is impossible to have a party on because people are worn out from the holiday season and Christmas the day before. They want to take a break and rest on that day, not celebrate a birthday. Any birthday party I had as a child was held in January or sometimes as late as June. I've had very few birthday parties and now I don't even try.
3. People wrap your presents in Christmas wrapping paper.
OK, I get it. You were wrapping Christmas presents at the same time as my birthday present. You didn't have birthday wrapping paper and it didn't seem necessary to buy any just for my birthday. It was just easier and more convenient for you to use the Christmas paper. I'm not mad, just disappointed. My birthday is different not synonymous with the holiday. Christmas may be my favorite holiday and my birthday is in winter, but that doesn't mean I want to open presents with snowmen, gingerbread or red and gold flower designs on the wrapping paper.
4. Birthday presents end up under the Christmas tree.
This goes along with the Christmas wrapping paper. If people send my birthday present wrapped in Christmas paper in the same box with Christmas presents that are also wrapped in the same kind of wrapping paper, my parents cannot discern whether one of them is a birthday present and, if so, which one is the birthday present. There have been multiple times that I've opened a birthday present on Christmas day or a Christmas present on my birthday. I have learned how to make my thank you cards and calls very general to cover up the mistake.
5. Christmas cards are sent as birthday cards.
I love reading through all the Christmas cards that are sent to my family. My favorite is when the people write on the bottom of the card: Oh, and Happy Birthday Sarah! I'm being sarcastic. I actually hate that. I'd rather people forget it was my birthday then tacking it on to the end of a Christmas card addressed to my whole family.
Even with the downfalls, I am blessed to have a unique birthday date that comes with a different experience than others. I am even more blessed to have parents who work hard to make me still feel special on my birthday despite these problems. I can't change what day my birthday falls on, none of us can. So, I have to make the best of it. We all do.
