Yes.  My birthday is actually on Christmas Day.  

On December 25, 1999 at approximately 5:35 am, I was born.  When I was a child, I liked telling people that my birthday happened to be on the biggest holiday of the year. As I got older, I slowly began to recognize all the little things that made my birthday tough.  Now, whenever someone asks me the questions “When is your birthday?” I have to fight from cringing as I respond “Christmas Day.”  Here are just a few of the many things that go along with having a birthday on December 25th….

• Your birthday is often forgotten

With having a Christmas birthday, comes the countless texts that read “OMG I totally forgot it was your birthday!!” at 9 am on December 26th or the awkward encounters back at school with people who promised they wouldn’t forget but did.

• Christmas and Birthday presents are often combined

The holidays are a time to save money where you can.  With this, is the harsh reality of being handed an envelope that reads “Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!”  The thought is what counts, however while everyone else gets two separate holidays throughout the year to celebrate with gifts, you only get one.  

• The Birthday gifts that are not combined are usually wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper

This may seem little to most, however it is a big deal to us Christmas babies.  It screams “Your birthday is over run by the holidays!!” Please be mindful of how this may be perceived next time you hand someone a birthday present wrapped in Holiday paper.

• It’s almost impossible to get your friends together to celebrate.

The Holiday Season is known as “the most wonderful time of the year” and arguably the most stressful and busy as well.  Every weekend is full of traveling shopping and preparing for the holidays.  This makes it almost impossible to get all your friends together to celebrate.

• You can’t go out to dinner

Christmas day is a day devoted to family and staying home to appreciate what you have been given.  Unlike the average birthday dinner, mine is very traditional.  It is impossible to enjoy the night out a a restaurant of choice due to the fact that most are closed for the day, and families don’t plan on going out to dinner on Christmas day.  Along with the loss of this privilege, you lose out on perks such as free coffee from Starbucks and often “one day only” birthday freebies from stores that are not open on December 25th.

• You can’t get your license on your 17th birthday

Christmas 2016 was the day of my 17th birthday.  I was supposed to take my road test on my birthday, just as every other eligible teenager dreams of.  My road test had to be postponed due to the unfortunate date of my 17th birthday.
These are only a few of the many cons that come along with having a Christmas Birthday.  Those who share in celebrating this day as their birthday can without a doubt relate to these struggles.