Being a Christmas Birthday Babe

I've just read a blog post about having a birthday at Christmas. I'd like to share it and add to it because it really resonates with me:

http://www.thetortoiseshellglasses.com/2015/12/christmas-birthday/

My birthday is December 29th. 

Having that one day where you're allowed to be self indulgent and have a whole day that's all about you is tough at this time of year. No one's interested in your day when there is much more to celebrate and everyone is busy thinking about everything else at Christmas that they'll probably forget anyway.

My mewsings today are for everyone out there who's birthdays are at this time of year - I feel your pain...

Kacey's comments about the effect having your birthday at Christmas has on you as a child is especially poignant.

But it's not all bad, there are pro's and con's to being a Christmas birthday babe (granted, there are more con's, but I always like to look on the bright side.)

Con's

• For kids, I reiterate Kacey's comments: not being made of fuss of at school like all of your class mates is a cruel and merciless experience.
• If you know someone who's birthday is at Christmas NEVER wrap their present in Christmas paper - this is a crime for which no punishment is suitable
•  Every year my husband complains he has to buy my birthday card in September as there are never any decent birthday cards in the shops in December, you're lucky to even find them in most places
• NEVER give a Christmas birthday babe a 'joint present' - you look like a total cheapskate and an a'hole (unless they ask for something big as a joint present, then it's OK.) 
• No one will come to your party. My birthday is 2 days before New Year's Eve so every year the excuse is that everyone is saving themselves for that. I can't even remember the last time I had a party for my birthday - really, what's the point when no one will come?
• One year I decided to have a 'half birthday' in the summer and throw a party. No one celebrated it because 'it was silly', and then when my actual birthday came round no one came because I celebrated it in the summer! Lose Lose. 
• You have to think of more present ideas and think carefully about what to put on your list as you only get one chance a year. 
• If you don't get want you wanted for Christmas, there's no second chances, you have to wait an entire year to ask again

 
Pro's

• When I was a kid, I used to get a lump sum from our grandparents at the end of the year which meant I could buy big stuff for myself without having to think about saving up. Rubbing my brother and sister's face in it when I bought something bigger and better for myself in the January sales was like no other joy
• I've never had to go to work or school on my birthday. In fact, I've never had to have any responsibilities on my birthday
• It's much easier to have a low key or intimate birthday - no one will notice anyway so there's no pressure to put on a big bash. 
• Because it's party season, even when your Christmas birthday is mid-week bars and restaurants are busy and buzzing. 
• When I was working for someone else, I never had to take cakes into work on my birthday, and honestly, my colleagues have always been grateful when the staff kitchen is full of everyone's unwanted Christmas chocolates and sweets.
• It's OK to just keep on partying. People are in a festive mood anyway so having a birthday just after Christmas means I start celebrating on Christmas Eve and just keep going until New Year's Eve. Result.

Enjoy the festive season everyone - Party on!