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With Christmas around the corner, many students are concerned about saving money, getting their shopping done and making plans for the holiday break. Others have one more thing added to that list – a birthday.
December birthdays can be a hassle for all. Planning parties between holidays create stress and are difficult to pull off. Gift-givers also have to worry about two sets of presents when money is already tight during that time of year.
Michael Crush, a senior majoring in communication, gets the December birthday blues. “All I get for my birthday is winter clothes,” Crush said. “Then when I need summer clothes, I have to get them myself.”
Early December birthdays are less trouble because parties can still happen even if presents are difficult to come by. Crush’s birthday falls on Dec. 8, so he always has a bash, but he still doesn’t like his birthday being so close to Christmas.
But those who share their birthdays with Christmas Eve and Day have a more difficult time getting friends together. Many people travel outside of the state to visit relatives, making party guests hard to come by.
There are ways to make a December birthday fun, however. The birthday boy or girl can wait until after Christmas to see if there is anything they didn’t get that they would like to have. Then asking for a gift card allows them to get whatever they want and possibly for less with the after-Christmas sales.
“Most people give me gifts that are for my birthday and Christmas together,” Crush said.
Certain winter activities can be fun with a small group of friends or a significant other after Christmas as well. Going to dinner, ice skating or to see “The Nutcracker” are all viable options and the birthday guest probably won’t even have to pay. A free night out on the town with friends is a great way to spend any evening.
The unselfish types can also share their birthday party with a New Year’s Eve party and celebrate both events in one. Then there are sure to be plenty of guests, food and fun.
