As soon as I discovered I was pregnant, I began fervently hoping. My mind kept repeating, “Please don’t let this be a Christmas baby.” I understood the implications: children born around the holidays often receive just one present, under the guise that it’s “twice as special.” Spoiler alert: it’s never really twice as special.
Holiday babies also face the unfortunate reality of sharing their special day with the festivities of Christmas. Instead of receiving their own cake, they often find themselves sharing the spotlight with holiday celebrations. I prayed for a baby born after the new year, and I got a December 20 baby, right on schedule. While he wasn’t a Christmas baby, he still fell into the category of holiday birthdays, which can be almost as disappointing.
Unlike my other two children, who have birthdays around Halloween and enjoy a week-long celebration filled with candy, costumes, and gifts, my December child has a birthday overshadowed by holiday chaos. Birthday themes become scarce when your day coincides with Christmas. No one wants to compete with the festivities surrounding the birth of Jesus. The combination of Christmas lights and carols makes for a less-than-ideal birthday atmosphere.
Furthermore, organizing a birthday party during the holiday season can be nearly impossible. Friends and family are preoccupied with their own holiday plans, making it difficult for them to attend. If they aren’t attending parties, they are busy preparing for them—cleaning, shopping, and wrapping gifts—leaving little room for a birthday celebration.
Additionally, the gifts tend to blend together. While my son may receive more presents overall, it often pales in comparison to the bounty of gifts he’d receive if he had a birthday at a different time of year. The presents usually arrive in festive wrapping paper, with holiday themes dominating, leaving little distinction for his birthday gifts.
I know individuals who have navigated holiday birthdays. For instance, my friend Ryan, whose mother designated a second birthday celebration in April, allowing him to enjoy a traditional party atmosphere. Yet, he always felt a sense of loss for not celebrating on his actual birthday.
In our family, we try to make the best of the situation. We offer a small celebration and make a conscious effort to keep birthday and Christmas gifts separate. We can choose to avoid holiday distractions, but we can’t control everyone else’s schedule. The reality is that the holiday season tends to overshadow individual celebrations, and that can be disheartening.
For those navigating the complexities of fertility and family planning, you might find valuable insights in this article regarding your journey. Additionally, this source offers excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
In conclusion, while holiday birthdays can be a source of joy, they often come with challenges that can overshadow the celebrations. From the blending of gifts to the difficulty of organizing parties, children born during the holiday season may struggle to feel special on their important day.
Keyphrase: Holiday birthdays challenges
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]