How to Celebrate a Christmas Birthday

A person whose birthday falls on Christmas or Christmas Eve can feel as if his or her birthday is completely eclipsed by the holiday. Many family members and friends may try to consolidate the birthday and Christmas into one big event and party, purchasing gifts that they assume will cover both Christmas and the birthday.

One of the best ways to celebrate a Christmas birthday is to separate it as much as possible from Christmas. In order to do this, you may wish to set aside a specific time and place for the birthday party that does not coincide with ongoing Christmas parties. Since this is difficult to do if there are back-to-back Christmas parties, you can plan a day well in advance of the coming Christmas festivities. Typically, 10 days ahead of Christmas is a good time to have a birthday party.

Alternatively, you can plan a party about 10 days after Christmas, when the shopping rush is over. The advantage of doing this is that many department stores will be having after-Christmas sales, when gift items can be bought at reduced prices. The disadvantage of this approach is that many people will be tempted to buy leftover Christmas items, or re-gift their unwanted Christmas items. Likewise, with many people having spent too much money on Christmas gifts, they may become stingy when the time comes to buy a birthday gift.

When planning a Christmastime birthday party, be sure to use birthday-specific decorations, gift wrapping and food. Remind guests to refrain from bringing Christmas type gifts such as holiday cookie tins, poinsettia plants and gift baskets that are made up in green and red bows and other Christmas paraphernalia. Christmas sweaters, socks, and ties should also be avoided. In lieu of such gifts, guests can give gift cards, consumer electronics, books, or kitchen gadgets. The birthday cake, cards and balloons should also be birthday and not Christmas-themed.

Of course, the birthday celebrant may not mind having a few Christmas-specific gifts. It is best to find out beforehand if that person wouldn't mind using his or her birthday as an opportunity to receive a much desired, but rather expensive, Christmas gift. This could be a gift for which everyone contributes some money, and which is then given to the birthday celebrant at the party.

As an alternative to having a birthday compete with Christmas, you could hold the entire event at a completely different time of year. Instead of a Christmas birthday, consider having a birthday celebration in June or July. That way, birthday guests will be more relaxed and not as likely to give unwanted Christmas gifts.

Finally, you might wish to forego the birthday party altogether and instead take a birthday cruise or vacation. People can be asked to donate money for the trip, making the gift-buying process easier for everyone. A birthday cruise or trip is also a great way to unwind from the holiday stress.