Christmas babies don’t always get that ‘special day’

COLUMBIA -- For Christmas babies, the birth of Jesus is a hard act to follow.

“While I can truly say I am honored and humbled to share my birthday with Jesus, He tends to get most of the attention,” Donna Monahan, of Charlotte, N.C., wrote to The State for a story on the ups and downs of having Christmas as a birthday.

Try as they might to put the best face on it, a lot of folks born on Christmas feel a little ripped off.

Oh, sure, their families get together every year on their birthday.

But it’s not really about them.

It’s not their “special day,” when the boss gives them the day off work or somebody picks up the tab or a group of friends jumps out from behind the couch and yells, “SURPRISE!”

These Christmas babies think everybody’s doing them a big favor by wrapping their presents in birthday paper, for goodness’ sake.

Some of them don’t even get birthday presents.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule.

Some people have friends and families who make a Christmas birthday pretty cool.

Here’s a sample:

My favorite Christmas birthday memory is the one in which my husband, Tommy, gave me his birthday.

I thought that we were meeting his parents, sisters and their spouses for his birthday party on Feb. 16. We gathered at a restaurant halfway between Clemson and Mooresville, N.C. I saw all of the birthday presents as we waited to be seated. Someone even had the cake in a box.

I remarked how great it looked.

After we ate, they all started singing, “Happy Birthday … to Cheryl” – and that’s when I realized it was MY surprise birthday party on his birthday.

Now, that’s a birthday gift that I will always treasure.

Cheryl Lane, Kingstree

Born Christmas morning back in 1985:

My mother will swear she’s ruined me forever, but I secretly LOVE having my birthday on Christmas Day! Not only do I think it’s special and sweet, but I always have it off work, and I’m always surrounded by loved ones.

I was raised in Columbia, went to school at Clemson University and now work as a high-end event planner in New York City. And what better place to celebrate your birthday than in New York City at Christmas time!

Cons: I think my last real birthday party was at Chuck E. Cheese when I was 5 years old. So even though I’m a party planner, I’ve never had my own party.

My mom and dad were so great at making sure we did “Santa” in the morning and then birthday in the evening around dinner time. And, of course, no birthday presents were wrapped in Christmas paper and my cake could not resemble a Christmas cake — it had to be pink or yellow with flowers, just like every “normal” kid’s birthday cake.

It’s hard to say now that I’m older if I get fewer presents. (I do know people are broke around this time of year.) But if I didn’t unwrap something I expected for Christmas, then I got excited that just maybe it was coming later in the day for my birthday!

Regardless, I love having my birthday on Christmas. It’s easier for my boyfriend to remember, too!

Just don’t say Merry Birthday or Happy Christmas!

Nicole Goodrich, New York City

I’m about to turn 16. We usually go to Aspen, Colo., so I’m usually skiing or snowboarding on my birthday.

We ski all day and we usually have pizza and wings in the lobby of our hotel, and we get this really good candy from a place called the Fudge Factory. It’s so good. We usually get a bunch of fudge and bring it back to our hotel.

I’ve been skiing since I was 11, but I just started to snowboard, so I’m at the beginner level again.

It’s been a lot of fun.

Linnell Ray, Columbia

I’ve never had to go to school or work on my birthday. Can’t beat that!

My mom and dad always made me feel special for being born on the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth; my mother called me her Christmas Angel until the day she died.

My parents were sensitive to the possibility of having my birthday overshadowed at Christmas time, so when I was a child my mom always had my birthday party earlier in the month of December.

As I grew older, my family held my birthday party on Christmas Eve in order to avoid losing it in the chaos of Christmas Day. As a result of their thoughtfulness, I’ve never felt shortchanged or slighted.

On the contrary, I’ve always felt humbled to share my birthday with Jesus. I’m clearly not the most special person honored on Dec. 25!

On a humorous note, my younger brother’s birthday is Jan. 16. I’m always guaranteed great birthday presents from him, as he knows the quality of his birthday presents depend on the quality of mine.

Thornton Kirby, Columbia

When I was growing up, Christmas Day morning was always full of wonder, with parents who always provided well with lovely toys, and gifts from the relatives that said, “Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday.” (The mixed gifts irritated my parents more than me.)

My parents always held my birthday celebration on Christmas night, after all the holiday eating was over. I enjoyed my special time.

Mom and Dad gave up trying to have birthday parties for me at Christmas time because everyone was busy. That was a bummer. I didn’t care so much about presents, I just wanted my friends around me, playing a few silly games and having cake. That just did not happen until I came up with a creative idea when I was 12. I wanted to have a “half” birthday party sleepover on June 25. Summertime. Warm, 72-degree days. Mom and Dad loved the idea, and the invitations went out. It was the best birthday party ever for me. Even though we only did this once, it eradicated my “lost” birthday parties as a youngster and filled that space with one great memory to last.

And now, as I hit 57, I’m dealing with my Christmas birthday in this harsh economy after becoming victim to a large company layoff. It has taken on a very different reality. Both my husband and I are applying for work. We really cannot afford gifts this year.

Still, there will be rousing singing of “Happy Birthday,” which will make me very happy. That’s really the best part of the birthday – singing just for you!

Susan Taylor, Columbia