With Thanksgiving’s passing, Christmas decorations are starting to go up and is slowly encroaching on us, blessing us with its lovely annual, traditional dishes, like stuffing, green bean casserole, and sweet potato casserole…Yum. I mean, it’s not hard to understand why this time of year is everyone’s favorite. The Christmas decorations are gorgeous and so much fun to put up. The food is plentiful. Everyone is happy and excited to give and receive gifts from friends and family.
You know what else this season means? My birthday. I know what you’re probably thinking: “Whaaat? December birthdays have to be awesome! Like, it just adds to the holiday season! Why is she complaining?” Look, I’m still thankful for my birthday. After all, if I didn’t have a birthday, I wouldn’t be here at all, but the timing isn’t always the best, so here’s my list of pros and cons about having a December birthday.
Pro: Lots of food!
I mean, this is self-explanatory. My birthday falls on December 7th – approximately two weeks after Thanksgiving and approximately two weeks before Christmas, which are arguably two of the best food holidays of the year. There’s lots of sweets, lots of traditional dishes…seriously, the best food holidays. Everyone starts having potlucks for work, clubs, etc. Food is literally thrown at you from every direction! Not to mention on your birthday. The cake. Cookies. Free food from restaurants. Literally, it’s any foodie’s dream. It’s like an entire month filled with good food!
Con: Lots of food…
Okay, there’s a downside to there being so much food… Holiday weight gets tripled because it’s like there’s an extra day (or depending on the person, week) of food. Cake? Yeah, your friends might get you two. Cupcakes? Galore. Candy? Thrown at you. Everyone is going to ask to go out to eat or have drinks to celebrate your birthday. Have fun trying to accomplish your new New Year’s resolution of trying to lose the fifty pounds you gained just from all the junk being thrown at you in the month of December!
Pro: More gifts!
I know. It’s kind of awesome. At least two whole days in the month of December dedicated to gift giving. Your birthday and Christmas! What could be better? New socks, the necessities you couldn’t afford because you’re a broke college student so you ask your parents for them, gift cards for all of the Taco Bell runs when you need a quick meal for your hour break between class and club meetings…it’s kind of awesome. It’s any sad, broke college kid’s dream.
Con: Less…gifts?
Sometimes, between all of the Christmas parties, Friendsgivings and end-of-year events…people forget about your birthday. I know, right? Shocker. Thanks, guys. You probably don’t get as many gifts as you might think you do having a December birthday. On the surface, definitely seems like double-gifting. The reality is people combine your birthday and Christmas because they’re so close together…and they’re broke. (Not asking for much, but please acknowledge me?)
Pro: Christmas decorations in all of your birthday photos!
Seriously, this doesn’t need an explanation! Christmas lights are the best – they’re absolutely gorgeous if you think about it.
Con: I’ve never had a birthday photo without either a Santa hat or a Christmas tree in the background.
Okay, sure. Christmas spirit is fun and all, but it’s kind of overdone when it’s in every single birthday picture you have. Someone asks to take a picture? Obviously, it’s going to be in front of the Christmas tree. What time of year is my birthday? Clearly not hard to guess when you look at pictures.
Pro: Typically no class on your birthday!
Lit. No waking up early or forcing yourself to stay awake through a boring class! Sounds perfect to me.
Con: Sometimes…it’s during finals week?
At least my birthday is. It’s the first week of December, which typically means (especially for UTM students) finals. Awesome. Seriously, like I’m not stressed out enough. Why do I have to be stressed to the max on my birthday, too?
I could go on and on, but I’ll just rejoice in the fact that this year is my 21st, which means I get to celebrate the end of finals in style.
Herry Birthmas to my fellow December babies!
Photo courtesy of Pexels.