The season to be jolly is here once more, but when you have a
birthday close to Christmas, sometimes being jolly isn’t all that
is on your mind.
Your day of birth is a day to be cherished, a day that reminds
you how old you really are. Birthdays are special because it’s a
day devoted to YOU. The attention is given to the
”
Birthday Girl/Boy
”
all day.
The season to be jolly is here once more, but when you have a birthday close to Christmas, sometimes being jolly isn’t all that is on your mind.
Your day of birth is a day to be cherished, a day that reminds you how old you really are. Birthdays are special because it’s a day devoted to YOU. The attention is given to the “Birthday Girl/Boy” all day.
Here I am, chuckling because I wish I knew what that was like.
I am one of those “Christmas Babies” you hear about – the ones that get brought home in a stocking. The baby that gets to be its mother’s Christmas present. Having been born on the 23rd, I understand how my fellow “Christmas Babies” feel. You might be thinking, “Oh hey, that’s cool – double the presents!”
Right? Well, we know how wrong you are.
When I was little whenever people would ask me when my birthday was, I would kindly say, “December 23.” When they would reply, “Awesome! Your birthday must be the best!” I would nod in agreement because I was naive. Now the reality has set in, and I am notorious for letting people know that being born so close to Christmas isn’t so great.
I envy the people who have birthdays during the spring. You see, friends aren’t away on vacation during the spring time. Most of the people I know are not around to celebrate my birthday with me. It would be cool to have a party, but not so great if only four people came.
When you are born in April, do people give you birthday presents wrapped in Christmas paper? I think not. That is sort of a slap in the face, “Oh hey, you are not important enough for me to buy special birthday wrapping paper, so I will just use some of my leftover Christmas wrapping paper.”
All right, I went a little overboard – I’m sure you get the point that combination birthday/Christmas presents are the worst! Trust me on this when I say being given one present for two separate holidays is not being selfish. Sometimes, I feel greedy by wanting two presents during the time of year people have the tightest budget, but then I think, “Everyone else has a birthday too, and it’s not my fault mine is in December.”
But hey, it’s not all bad! I applaud all of those who go out of their way to make a “Christmas Baby” birthday extra special. Everyone deserves the right to their own holiday. Thank you to all of those who recognize we who get the short end of the stick. And hey, if you are thinking of wrapping a birthday gift in Christmas wrapping paper – don’t, but thanks for the thought.
Chantel Guajardo is a senior at San Benito High School.
