Tips for an Awesome Holiday Birthday [Sponsored by Hallmark]

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How Do You Make a Holiday Birthday SPECIAL?

All three of my kiddos have their Birthdays during the holiday season.  From the end of November through the end of December, it seems like it’s nonstop Birthday parties, cakes and sweets, and gifts – lots of gifts.  Needless to say, we’re usually broke by January!  But aside from the financial inconvenience it is for me, I hate that my kids have to share their Birthdays with the busyness of the holiday season.  So I try really hard to make their Birthdays extra special.  It can definitely be a challenge to come up with creative ways to do it, though.   I’ve partnered with Hallmark and my B-Inspired Blogger mama friends to brainstorm some ways to handle holiday Birthdays and make them extra awesome!

14 Tips for an AWESOME Holiday Birthday

Shop All Year – “I buy kids gifts on discount throughout the year and throw ’em in a secret ‘gift bin’ in the basement.  It helps to alleviate the financial burden around the holidays.” Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Celebrate Early or Late – “We are having their joint Birthday party early, so it is a bit separate from the holidays and people can still make it. Then we do something smaller on the actual day, like have pizza or something.” Leanna of All Done Monkey

Have a Half Birthday Party – “We make sure to do a middle of the year party for friends to come over so that we are not completing with the holidays.” Cassie of 3 Dinosaurs

Pick a Non-Holiday Theme – “Book themed parties are a great way to combine learning and fun, plus it is a great way to get kids excited about reading and not make it about the ‘holiday.'” Amanda of The Educators’ Spin On It

Split Up the Day – “My daughter’s birthday was on Thanksgiving this year, and will be every few years. We celebrated her birthday in the morning, before all the Thanksgiving celebrations but we also had a birthday cake for desert and sang her Happy Birthday that evening also.” Katie of Playing With Words 365

Have a Special Birthday Meal – “Birthdays are special way to celebrate that person for the day. Take time to consider a fun way to plan a Birthday breakfast, Birthday lunch, or Birthday dinner are all fun ways to ensure that your child feels celebrated on their special birthday no matter what season.” Kim of The Educators’ Spin On It

Combine Kids’ Parties to Make It Better – “This year we combined my two oldest kids’ Birthday parties into one larger party.  Their Birthdays are only 10 days apart, and it made it easier for our family to not have to take two trips during the busy holiday season.  Plus we were able to afford a nicer party at the local Science Center by doing it this way, too!” Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Don’t Combine Presents! – “I’m a Dec. 23 Birthday, and my family was always great about the idea that my birthday started the holiday celebrations. Always got a party, cake, gifts and still do – in fact, my sis & husband love that they only have to shop once a year. Presents are Birthday specific – everyone was always big on no combined gifts so there is always something to be opened on your special day.” Jacquie of KC Edventures

Use Birthday Wrapping Paper – “My oldest daughter was born on Christmas Day. We’ve always celebrated Christmas in the am and then decorated for her birthday in the afternoon! Birthday gifts must be wrapped in birthday paper! She actually loves having a Christmas birthday – very special to share a birthday with Jesus!” Darla of The Preschool Toolbox

Make a “Birthday Zone” in the House – “Taking the time for that day to make a special Birthday zone in the house is a way to designate focus on them. Hanging a Birthday banner and balloons is a tradition at our house. We make sure that the holiday decorations are set aside for that special day too, or at least not showing up in backgrounds of Birthday pictures.” Kim of The Educators’ Spin On It

Take Down the Holiday Decorations & Christmas Tree! – “We take our Christmas tree down before the [Birthday] party, so Christmas can be over and it is time to celebrate her.” Carrie of Crafty Moms Share

Or Host the Party at a “Non-Christmassy” Venue – “Having a celebration at a non-Christmassy decorated venue also gives the child their special day without it being combined with a holiday.” Amanda of The Educators’ Spin On It

Make Sure There’s Gifts ON the Birthday, Too – “My birthday is December 29th. As a kid I was always faced with the choice, open my gifts with my extended family members on Christmas or wait and open the gifts on my birthday. Guess what I chose…open on Christmas. So, when my birthday came along 4 days later I had only one gift, from my parents to open. My advice, make the child’s birthday special and separate from the holiday. I’m almost 40 years old and I still remember how much I wished I had gifts to open on my birthday.” Jen of Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Let the Child Plan Their Day – “We don’t do holiday events or activities on those days; the birthday person gets to decide what will happen which is fun.” Jacquie of KC Edventures

 

Hallmark Makes Holiday Birthdays Awesome!

Even if we have my kids’ Birthday parties before or after their actual Birthday, I always make sure they get a small gift (often a book) and Birthday card on their special day.   This year I found the best Hallmark cards at Walmart for my kiddos.

I spent FOREVER pawing over all of the fun cards.  I can’t even believe how the kids cards have such cool sounds, movement, and even little toys or stickers.  It really takes that Birthday card up a notch to make their holiday Birthday special.  Check out how much J.C. loved his doggy card that played “Who Let the Dog’s Out?”

For more holiday Birthday tips from Hallmark, check out Collective Bias’ Live SoFab Holiday Digital Magazine.  There’s lots of other fun holiday inspiration, too.

Does your family celebrate a holiday Birthday?  How do you make it special?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! 

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I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. Please see my disclosure policy.