My youngest daughter was born 10 days before Christmas. I know, what was she thinking? Rude.
Every mom can confirm that the Holidays are the busiest time of the year. Throwing in a kid’s birthday can feel like the icing on the cake. No matter how much I think I’ve planned and organized, something always sneaks up on me or falls through the cracks. Here is a list of lessons I have learned that can apply to birthdays during the holiday season, or if your child has a birthday around any other major holiday your family celebrates:
If you want to book entertainment for a child’s party, book WAY in advance. Every balloon lady, face painter, and princess is going to be snatched up for Breakfast with Santa, gingerbread decorating at local country clubs, and any other large holiday gathering. This applies to Easter, 4th of July, and Halloween birthdays as well. You can still hire some fun party entertainment, but make sure you book several months ahead of time.
Along similar lines, if you want to plan a party for your kiddo, send invitations out early. The weekend calendar fills up, and there is nothing worse than telling your child no one can come to their birthday party because mommy forgot to send out invitations until two weeks before.
Don’t give gifts that are a combination of Birthday and Christmas. They will be QUICK to point out that their other siblings are not lumping their March birthday gifts in with what is under the tree on Christmas morning. 😏
Consider celebrating their half-birthday one year! Why not shake things up and party in June? School is out, the pool is open, the sun stays up past 5 pm, and no one has plans. If you know throwing a birthday party is simply too much to add to your plate, punt it! If you message it well, your child will get a kick out of having two birthdays.
Another friend of mine whose child has a Christmas birthday waits and does all their birthday celebrating at the end of January, which is also an easy pivot. After all the holiday dust settles and flu season is coming to an end, it’s a great way to gather with friends and family when there is literally nothing else going on.
PUT YOUR HUSBAND IN CHARGE OF SOMETHING. He can pick up ice cream and a birthday cake, run out for balloons or a pinata, or package party favors. If you are in Mrs. Claus mode, there are plenty of things to delegate, and while we all want to “do it all” and be super mom, maybe sending him out of the house to shop for cupcakes will allow you 5 minutes of peace before you move on to the next task.
None of this is rocket science, but I also know that when it comes time to host my daughter’s 7th birthday in our home eight days before Christmas, I’ll be spinning like a top and asking myself what I was thinking. Deep breaths; everyone is in the same boat, running around trying to make the season magical for their kids. Do your best, and don’t forget, your kids are only going to remember the pinata
