I have an aunt who was born on Christmas. My grandmother and her sister (my great aunt) were born the day after Christmas. So when my Adelaide was born eight days before Christmas last year, I knew what to expect for her December birthday. It is, after all, the most wonderful time of the year.
It’s easy to get caught up in the magic of the holidays — the twinkling lights, the warm fires, the holiday parties, and the delicious baked goods. And it’s equally easy to forget those who share a birthday month with Jesus. But I caution you, dear reader, against this. It simply isn’t fair to lump it all together. Here are my surefire ways to not only celebrate the magic of Christmas (or any other December holidays!) but to also recognize those who were born on or around these dates.
1. Have a birthday cake/dessert
I know there are a million dessert choices at holiday gatherings, but there is never not a place for birthday cake. Plus, a birthday cake is a special dessert, made for that one special person. She likes carrot cake? Perfect. Brownies more his thing? A birthday brownie! Coconut pie her preference? Wonderful. No matter what it is, it doesn’t take a significant amount of time to bake or buy a special birthday treat, add some candles, and then…
2. Sing “Happy Birthday”
Maybe your family likes to sing Christmas carols. Maybe they don’t. Regardless, it’s important to sing that one song that recognizes a person’s big day. It doesn’t matter if you are tone deaf — “Happy Birthday” is a tune anyone can sing, and everyone deserves to hear it on their special day.
3. Wrap a birthday gift in BIRTHDAY gift wrap
I always give my Aunt Dulce a birthday gift in addition to her Christmas gift. Every year, she objects. And every year, I gift her a little something extra to honor her on her day. For me, it isn’t enough to give one big gift, or even wrap an additional gift in holiday wrapping paper. It might be enough for others, but there is something about that birthday paper that makes the gift feel special, especially in a flurry of paper covered in snowflakes, Christmas plaid, snowmen, and Santas.
4. Send a birthday card
Finances tight from all that holiday shopping? A birthday gift is nice, but it’s not necessary. A simple birthday card is enough to bring a smile to someone’s face and brighten their day. Remembering someone’s special day, especially during all the craziness of the winter holidays, shows you truly care and want to celebrate with him/her. This can also be achieved by an e-card or personal email if snail mail isn’t your thing!
5. Have a party
We will be celebrating my daughter Adelaide a few days before her actual birthday in order to avoid the holiday itself. We’ve incorporated our holiday decor and decided upon a “Winter ONEderland” theme. I’ve also encouraged guests to wear their favorite holiday sweaters, and I managed to pick up this sweet little number for Addie. There will be trees, ornaments, gifts, and wintery woodland creatures to welcome our love into her second year of life. You don’t have to completely avoid Christmas to have a December birthday party; you can simply add some sweet details to make it “birthday.” This year we opted for more pinks, whites, and silvers in our decor instead of reds and greens. Our house is looking like a perfect collision of Christmas and baby girl.
A December birthday is as magical as any other.
December babies deserve to be celebrated the same way as any other person on their birthday. There are so many small but significant ways to acknowledge both the holidays and the birthdays of those who were born during the most wonderful time of year.
How do you celebrate your December birthday babies?
