Community Chat

[GCR18]

Some celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve and others on Christmas day.  I think I'd keep both events separate.  Christmas eve celebrate Christmas, Christmas day celebrate the birthday.  If that doesn't work with the family, I don't think I'd intermingle the celebrations.  Try to keep the birthday special.  I don't think it's as big a deal once the child becomes an adult.

[SahmIam]

@software  My cousin was born on Christmas day. We are 1 year apart. I will tell you what she has told me since we were kids...I don't know if she ever told her parents:

*do NOT combine the days but make it two separate occasions.

*do NOT combine gifts. The number of times she would get a gift and be told "We got you one gift because it's both Xmas and your birthday gift". Other kids get 2 SEPARATE gifts, so why didn't she?

*do NOT overlook the birthday in the chaos of the holidays. It makes the child feel as if their special day is not a priority meaning THEY are not special enough.

*DO LOOK at this through the eyes of a child and NOT as an adult. Children are not mini adults, they don't have the experiences of Life under their belt and they absolutely DO take everything at face value for a LONG time.

She planned her children as far away from Christmas as possible. There are forums for people who have their birthday on Christmas and I'm telling you, it's sad to read their stories. My aunt and uncle were good people and yet...clueless as to how hurt and sad my cousin was when her birthday came around....and yes, it does affect how she feels about the holidays in general.

On another note: one of my nephews in the UK was also born on Christmas. In his case, his parents celebrate his birthday on Christmas and Christmas (as we know it) is celebrated on Boxing Day (the 26th). Completely separate events, completely separate gifts and yes, friends how up on the 25th for his birthday party. A complete 180 from how it was for my cousin. This is ALL due to his parents and THEIR attitude and way of handling it since his birth. I congratulate them because they put their son first and that's how it should be, IMHO.

Just my 2 cents.

[qvcfreak]

I have a niece born on Christmas Eve. We made her a party for friends once but nobody came except family. She’s a pre teen now but I do give her a birthday gift and a Christmas gift. 

[Kitlynn]

I am a December baby and my parents always made sure to make it a special day that was just about celebrating my birthday. It was always nice and I appreciated that they did that.

[viva923]

My 3 grandkids from my daughter are all born in December.

Dec 6, 17, 26th.  

She has birthday parties for them at other times of the year.

my daughter gives them gifts for Christmas and when the kids want their birthday parties that is when the birthday parties are done and gifts are given to them from friends,families,

[software]

Thank you for all the thoughtful replies.

My DD, the mom has already warned us to have at least 2 gifts for the birthday boy, one a b'day gift, the other a Christmas gift.   I think she had good ideas of how she wants to celebrate both, but I wanted to hear what others have done.    I know it can be a sticky situation.

I think she's going to handle the cake & get together and I'll do the Christmas dinner, etc.

We'll see how it goes.   he's only one now.

[CLEM]

@software  Why don't you just treat it as if it were a birthday on any other day.   It also depends on the age of the person.  If it is a child, make it special.

I was born December 24 in Germany where we get Christmas gifts on the 24th.  And I can tell you, my birthday was just lumped in with Christmas and when you are a child you learn very fast that your birthday (meaning you yourself just don't count).  My 79th birthday is coming up and to this day, I just know that it doesn't mean anything.   So, I just treat myself.

[Katcat1]

@software  Perhaps you celebrate one on Christmas Eve.  It is such a festive time of year and I am born 5 days before Christmas and always loved it because everyone is in a good mood and everywhere you go there are decorations.  Plus I always had a birthday party and lots of gifts.  

[BirkiLady]

@software  My grandson's birthday is just before Christmas. In order to provide him with a seperate birthday far enough away from Christmas his parents have always celebrated his special day in early November. When he was little, his big birthday parties would be help in early November to avoid Thanksgiving plans of family and other kids. Worked like a charm!

Additionally, his was never swamped with too many gift all at once which most December birthdays have a problem of receiving one gift for both b-day and holiday OR the child doesn't realize which gift is from whom and for which celebration (too confusing). Good luck and many happy birthdays!

[beach-mom]

@software - Here's one idea. I had a friend and neighbor before I had children. Her son was born Christmas Day. He was about 10 when I met her, and is probably in his 30's now. She told me they celebrated his birthday on June 25, closer to the other members of his family.

I was born a little over a week before Christmas. Most relatives gave me a present to be opened Christmas Day - for my birthday and Christmas. As a young girl I didn't like that much! The rest of my family was born in the spring and summer months. As I grew older, everyone was so busy getting ready for Christmas that although my mom did try to make it special, I kind of got caught up in the season. But I was always proud to be a December baby!