Holiday birthdays not so great in December


That's me and Myla at the Festival of Trees, during Thanksgiving (top); above is 
Miss Myla just before Christmas. Myla has a birthday in early January.

As the month of December ends so does the traditional holiday season.

Have you ever wondered about those who have a birthday during the holidays? It's actually a "thing." December birthdays, for example, are during short days/long nights, with busy-busy seasonal duties high on the list of parental priorities.

Children especially report the challenge of getting proper birthday attention when the  event conflicts with Christmas or Thanksgiving. Experts advise: Think about a "half birthday," with perhaps the main party held in June when it's easier to stage an outdoor event.

My birthday has been in mid-December now for 62 years so I can offer some insight:

1. It's a challenge to find an appropriate way to celebrate, but this is most critical in school-age children. One time my mother rented the indoor heated pool at a motel, and my classmates and I had a blast. That was an exception. It's an ongoing question for youngsters (and a challenge to parents) when a birthday is close to Christmas.

2. In later years, however, the birthday can easily be combined with holiday parties. At my 40th, husband Steve's company had a gala holiday event with a jazz trio, and I decided that was a perfect birthday. Dinner and dancing can't be beat!

3. The weather is often cold, windy and icy. As mentioned above, the days are short and nights are long.

4. No flowers are in sight. This relates to the common weather conditions in December, experienced in northern, Midwestern states.

5. The gifts, when wrapped, often look like they should be under a Christmas tree. Experts strongly suggest that the gifts be separate and special, but that's another challenge during the expensive holiday season.

6. That means, many times the birthday gifts are not specific to the birthday; givers may easily (and economically) group an individual gift with Christmas gift items.

7. Weather also affects one's ability to travel to birthday events. This is impacted by winter birthdays overall, and we have many in the Baker family. Who wants to attend a kids' party on Dec. 22?

8. When the birthday is a few weeks before Christmas, one idea is to kick off the season by making a gingerbread house. When the birthday is, say, Dec. 27, another suggestion is to devote one decorated tree to the birthday with specific birthday presents.

9. On the bright side, my mid-month (Dec. 12) birthday is often the same day as when the Iowa State basketball team plays at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Someday -- when the weather cooperates -- game tickets will be my birthday request.

Grand-daughter Myla, pictured has a birthday on Jan. 6, 2020, the Day of Epiphany, considered a public holiday in many parts of the world.



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