As a mom with two kids who have holiday birthdays (minor ones, Cinco de Mayo and Halloween) and a passionate lover of birthdays, I feel inspired to share ideas about how we can make our kiddos feel like their birthday matters amidst all the holiday hubbub. I’ve combined a list of dos and don’ts to hopefully inspire you!
What to do
1.) Let your kid choose their birthday theme.
This advice came from another ABQ mom! It’s so easy to create a birthday party around the theme of the holiday that your child’s birthday surrounds, but letting your child choose their own theme will help them feel special and separate from the holiday.
2.) Celebrate on a different day.
This may not be possible in every case, but moving their birthday celebrations to a different day will allow more people to attend and help your kiddo feel like their birthday matters just as much as the important holiday.
3.) Get creative.
I’ve seen lots of creative ideas to make kids with holiday birthdays feel loved. One mom, who had a little girl with a Christmas birthday, created a birthday tree decorated with balloons and a happy birthday banner with birthday presents underneath. While that may not work for every family, there are lots of ideas that might! Here are some links with some fall and winter birthday ideas. Also, check out this ABQ Mom post on 3 Ways to Make a December Baby Feel Special.
What NOT To Do
1.) Combine presents.
This one is significant when you’re celebrating a birthday near a holiday where gifts are traditionally given. While it is definitely easier to combine presents, it will feel unfair to the birthday boy or girl. Encourage family members to have separate gifts with birthday wrapping paper when possible.
2.) Gloss over the birthday celebration.
Whether it’s Easter egg hunts, trick-or-treating, or thawing a turkey, we know that the holidays are full of preparation and stress. Glossing over a child’s birthday will cause them to feel not only overlooked but less important than the holiday preparations. Take the time to celebrate your child to the fullest!
3.) Forego traditions.
If you have specific birthday or holiday traditions, don’t give them up! Continue to do the things that you and your family love. Cutting out certain beloved traditions may build up resentment within the family.
Holidays are full of fun, stress, and magic. There is no one-size-fits-all all. Having a kiddo with a holiday birthday requires more prep. I know that it can be overwhelming, but I promise that if you plan ahead and listen to what your child wants, you can make it memorable for everyone.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
