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I know you’re out there, you fellow sufferers. I know you’re out there because I know the statistics. One in every 40 people has the same birthday (not the same year, but the same day and month). It’s true. (I learned it in Dr. Lewis’s Intro to Psychology course at the University of Texas.)
So I know there is someone out there reading this blog who also has a birthday on December 25. You understand. For the rest of you, a few pointers.
1. No, Christmas/birthday presents are not okay. Don’t try it; it’s not cool.
2. Yes, those Christmas birthday cards are cute. Those are okay (accompanied by two presents — one for Christmas and one for my birthday).
3. It’s not that unusual. There’s no need to say, “Oh, my God! So you were born on Christmas? Like December 25? That’s so amazing!” This goes double for store clerks who hold up the line because they see my birthday on my driver’s license.
4. It might sound cool to have a Christmas birthday, but let’s think that through a moment.
A. No one remembers because Christmas pretty much overshadows everything starting the day after Thanksgiving.
B. You never have a birthday party because people are always with their families on Christmas.
C. You never have your own day because everyone gets to open presents at Christmas.
D. You only get presents once a year. If you don’t get it at Christmas, you’re buying it yourself or waiting another year.
5. The benefits are that you never have to work on your birthday. Almost everyone is off for Christmas. The other benefit? You are always around friends and family on your birthday, and that’s really the best thing, isn’t it?
Happy holidays, everyone, and happy birthday to those of you who have one to celebrate.
P.S. You might be interested to know that 2 other Jaunty Quills have b-days in December. Happy belated birthday to Shirley and Anne!
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Dec 23rd
2005
12:41 pm
Manuelita Said:
Shana, Shirley, and Anne,
First of all – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
I feel for you guys, because my son’s birthday is December 22nd. He turned 12 yesterday, and has had to deal with the one present situation. Plus, we’re always so stressed at this time of year that he rarely gets a birthday party. He got one this year, though. He’s already asking about next year when he turns 13. I told him I’ve got a while to think about a party and will answer him in about 12 months. lol!
My birthday is ideal. June 25th is exactly 6 months before Christmas and 6 months after Christmas. So I’m “guaranteed” a present every 6 months.
Merry Christmas to all the Jaunty Quill authors!!!
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Dec 23rd
2005
2:20 pm
Jennifer Yates Said:
Happy Holdidays and Happy Birthday!
My birthday was Dec. 16 and I know a little bit about those who think one gift should cover both b-day and Christmas. However, I haven’t had to deal with it too much.
I also know all about that only getting presents once a year. I only get presents in December and as impatient as I am I am not usually willing to wait until December for an item that comes out in June. So I usually end up spending my own money.
Have a great Birthday!
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Dec 23rd
2005
6:02 pm
Kimberly Logan Said:
Happy Birthday, Anne, Shirley, and Shana!
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Dec 23rd
2005
9:33 pm
Isabel Said:
Happy Birthday Shirley, Shane and Anne.
Merry Christmas all!
I love your post Shane, LOL. My friend’s twin boys (they turned thirteen) have a December 4th birthday. Ever since they were born she refuses to put the xmas tree up and decorate her house until AFTER the boys’ bday. I think it’s a pretty cool idea that way the boys can have their day and celebrate Christmas.
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Dec 24th
2005
5:07 am
Shirley Karr Said:
As a kid, I often felt cheated having my birthday so close to a major holiday when everyone was stressed and strapped for time and cash. I only remember two birthday parties, total, and never had the one at school like other kids, because we were always already on vacation. And as if to rub salt into the wound, my special day also happens to be the shortest day of the year.
As an adult, I take a more philosophical approach — how cool is it that the stores have all these incredible sales, just in time for my birthday?
My mom did take care to wrap birthday presents in birthday paper. I think it was as much to remind my siblings why I was getting twice as many presents as to make the distinction for me.
DH puts both presents under the tree and most years tells me to just pick one for my birthday. We make things easy for each other by providing a list of gift suggestions. That way I can steer him toward getting what I really want by listing things I know he’ll never get. Works great — less stress for everyone, and this year it meant I had Johnny under the tree for a while. (Silly dh, thought I’d wait four more days to watch Jump Street season 4? Not a chance.
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Dec 24th
2005
3:56 pm
Anne Mallory Said:
Thanks, ladies! And happy birthday, Jennifer! The two of us fit Shana’s statistic.
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Dec 24th
2005
3:59 pm
Anne Mallory Said:
Oh, and I can’t believe I forgot to include my hugs for Shana on her Christmas birthday. I think 4C has to be so tough for a kid.
Never fails that I find something I want in March or June, but it is way too far to wait for my birthday so I just buy everything myself. Then when December rolls around and people ask what I want I’m like, “Ummm…”
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Dec 25th
2005
3:33 am
Eve Said:
Happy Birthday Shana, Shirley and Anne! Oh wait, isn’t there some other holiday around this time of year? I forgot what it’s called :p
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Dec 25th
2005
3:13 pm
Jennifer Yates Said:
Happy Birthday Shana, Shirley and Anne!!!!
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Jan 10th
2006
11:44 pm
John Hathorn Said:
I’ve told Shane this and I’ll share it with all of you; having Christmas, Birthday and Anniversary on December 25 is cruel to all concerned. The Birthday child gets cheated in many ways as Shane notes, but the children of a mother who was born on December 25 and was married on December 25 are cheated also.
My three sisters and I had to coordinate our gift purchases very carefully since Mom was like the triple point of ice-water-vapor; everything happened at once. With four kids and a Dad buying three gifts each, there wasn’t anything that one could get Mom that she didn’t already have or was going to get. To protect your secret gift, you kept your mouth shut and did not divulge what you had gotten Mom.
One Christmas was a milestone for me since while preparing the Thanksgiving meal, Mom fed her rubber spatula to the blades of the MixMaster. Nothing came of it until I was at Kress Five and Dime searching storewide for something that would serve as one of many gifts for Mom. In the kitchen-ware section, I happened upon a rubber spatula by accident. Bells rang and lights went off. A gift, needed. My spatula reflected that personal gift that was totally out of the ordinary and received high aclaim and many hugs from Mom.
Then one year, someone gave Mother an electric knife. This is an insult to any male ego who eagerly awaits the day when Father will turn over the tools of family leadership to the eldest son.
Obviously, the next year one of my three gifts was an electric fork (handmade).
Then the following year, you guested it, an electric spatula. Plug it in and merely move it around he bowl and, by magic, the liquid contents can be moved to the center of the bowl.
Subsequent years resulted in an electric ledger, electric glasses and electric toothpicks. Then I advanced to computerized spatulas, forks, and serving platters as my computer career became byte-size.
Mother got even when, in a get-well card, she sent me an electric kidney stone – next time, I was to just plug it and and watch it pass.
Shane, at least your anniversary will be in March – and a Happy All-Three.
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