How To Make Your December Birthday Baby Feel Special

How to Make Your December Baby Feel Special on Their Birthday

December is one of the worst months to have a birthday.  Everyone is so busy with Christmas and the holidays that your birthday gets lost in the shuffle.  As an adult, it’s not a big deal.  But as a kid, it’s crushing.

I remember being so jealous of my friends.  Everyone could come to their birthday-party-on-their-actual-birthday.  No one tried to cheap out on their present.  Friends and relatives actually remembered to call them on their birthday.  (This was back in the days before Facebook and cell phones when people actually picked up the phone).

You may think your December-born kid doesn’t notice, but I can tell you from experience that they do.  Here’s 3 ways you can help your December baby feel special on their birthday.

Disclaimer: I realize that the very nature of this post seems pretty privileged and petty.  As an adult I see how the subject I’m writing about really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.  However, I remember as a child feeling like everybody forgot about my birthday but my Mom.  My Mom did an awesome job of making my birthday special and I was always grateful that she went out of her way to let me know that I was loved.)

Hold their Birthday Party with Friends on an Alternate Day.

My birthday is later in the month, when it’s almost impossible for anyone to come because of the Christmas holidays.  My mom would always throw my party at the end of November or beginning of December so my friends could be there.

On the child’s actual birthday, something simple with immediate family is good.  Children love traditions, so make up a simple tradition that works for you and your family.  We always went bowling because it was one of the few things that was open and not crowded on my birthday.

If you Give Gifts, Please Don’t Double Up

I realize this is a First World problem, but please do not combine your child’s Christmas and birthday present unless they are older and say it’s okay.  If you wouldn’t do it for your child born in June, you shouldn’t do it for your child born in December.

I know, practically speaking, you can give your child a bigger present if you put them together.  However, children don’t think that way and will notice that they only get one present all year and their siblings get separate Christmas and birthday presents.

Don’t Use Christmas Wrapping Paper

This seems so silly.  Why wouldn’t you use the wrapping paper that is readily available this time of year?

It’s not silly to your child.  I remember being very annoyed and feeling like people didn’t care as much about me.  When I got older, I didn’t care as much and now as an adult I don’t care at all.  However, please humour your young children and give them the birthday wrapping paper.

Basically, it all comes down to this:

Treat your December birthday like it’s any other month of the year

Whether you go all out or keep things super simple, all your December baby wants is to be treated like any other member of your family on their birthday.

And if your December baby wants to embrace the season and have a Christmas-themed party?  More power to them.  Just please make sure it’s their choice.

Kristen Raney is a December baby and the voice behind the prairie lifestyle blog, Shifting Roots.  Follow her on Instagram and Facebook for recipes, home renovations, and gardening tips, with the odd DIY disaster thrown in.

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