5 Tips to Make a December Birthday Special

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When I was a kid birthdays were the best. I'm a June baby, so other than graduation parties there's not much competition around that time of the year. In fact, until I got older I never even thought abut how blessed I was to have a summertime birthday.

That's not the case for everyone though. I actually have several friends and family members who have a birthday in December, which may just be the most un-lucky month of the year to have a birthday with all of the countless events going on every weekend.

But what may be the utmost unlucky birthday (in my opinion) would have to fall on my Dad. You see, he was born on Christmas Eve. I suppose he could have ended up a Christmas baby....that would have topped it!

None the less, he always seems to get his birthday lumped up with Christmas.

I can't even imagine it as a kid - all of your presents for the whole year falling within a 24hr time period, and even if there was a separate celebration, it's just not the same attention as summertime birthday. Even my daughter Emma, who's birthday is January 14th seems to get rushed through sometimes because everyone is just recovering from shopping for countless presents and festivities from a couple weeks prior, and her birthday seems to sneak up on us every year! I'm making it a point this year to really go all out for her special day, and I will definitely keep you informed. :)

Anyways, even though my Dad now lives a few hours away from me, we always try to do a little something special for him that is completely unrelated to the holidays - starting with Hallmark Cards.

Who doesn't love Hallmark cards?

There's something that is so special about them when you open them and find that the message is perfectly chosen just for you. I took the kids to Walmart where they have an amazing selection of Hallmark cards to choose from, and each one of us picked out a card to send to "Papa".

Then they each colored and wrote their names and messages and then we placed them all inside of a box with special goodies and treats we baked for him and some crafts the kids made. Even on a budget for the guy who doesn't really need anything, we created something special for him. We then shipped it to him making sure that it arrived on his birthday for a special surprise.

Then we waited for the phone call.

He loved it. We all chatted on the phone, wishing him a Happy Birthday, then followed by a Merry Christmas...

Here are some ideas you can do for your friends and loved ones who you either don't know what to get them for their birthday, or you are working on a budget.

1. Have your entire family pick out a card, not just one from the group. Sometimes the little kids pick out a silly one or one that's maybe not what you think is right...but let them. Then let them scribble all over it if they want, it's their gift, let them 'personalize' it.

2. Make sure you keep birthday separate from Christmas. Some people may not care if their birthday cards arrive with their Christmas cards, but I really think its important not to merge the two together.

3. Create something. I know during the holidays everyone is trying to find some extra money. It seems we spend so much in a three week period! I love the idea of creating something for someone with a December birthday, because it means you thought enough about them to take the time to make something, and not just buy one more gift on Black Friday.

4. Give them a gift that will last beyond the holidays. Perhaps a spa gift certificate, or some tickets to an event that will happen after the holidays... something that they can do later on that they can after the craziness of the month has ended. One year I gave my Dad concert tickets, I've also given my friends restaurant gift cards and basketball game tickets. It will help extend their birthday celebrating beyond December.

5. Tell them how special they are. In our new online world, so often we just send a Facebook message or an email wishing someone a happy birthday, and it just isn't the same as a card sent in the mail and followed by a phone call...not a text message, a phone conversation. Leave a voicemail singing them Happy Birthday! It shows that you took an extra minute out of your day to connect with them on their day.

For more great Holiday ideas, check out the Live SoFab online magazine which features Hallmark this month!
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Remember, it truly is the thought that counts when it comes to birthdays. It's one of my goals for the New Year to make my friends and family's birthday's special.

After all, that gold crown really does bring smiles upon peoples faces.

~Melissa

Portland Youth Philharmonic Concert-at-Christmas

This last week Anika and I attended the Portland Youth Philharmonic Concert-at-Christmas and I wrote a review for the PDX Kids Calendar that I occasionally write local reviews for, and I wanted to share it with you.

Here's the article:

Review: Portland Youth Philharmonic Concert-at-Christmas

 

~Melissa

Our Holiday Adventures.

This past couple weeks have been a whirlwind between Christmas activities, working, and just life in general. I am sad to see that Christmas has come and gone. It seems to fly by quicker each and every year, just like they used to tell us when we were kids ourselves.

Noah had his first ever Christmas program and it was so adorable.

Anika had her last grade school program and I held back tears as she stood narrating her paragraph on stage in front of hundreds of people.

I had a huge work Christmas party and it was so much fun, I'm blessed to be part of a company that will do that for employees.

We've gone to the Lincoln City Tree Lighting, The Polar Express Train Ride, Providence Festival of Trees, The World's Largest Christmas Bazaar, Zoolights,Peter Pan at the Oregon Children's theater and I had a big girl date night with Anika to the Portland Youth Philharmonic Christmas Program.

We enjoyed our Christmas Day and feasted on a Turducken that was given to us by Echelon Foods. The aroma filled my house all day as it slow cooked in my oven and when we finally sat down and tasted it we were all so pleased! I've heard about Turduckens so many times before, but we've never had an opportunity to try one until now. We had the Original Turducken with the spicy Italian stuffing* and it was delicious! It had a little spiciness to it, but nothing overpowering and the kids didn't mind it at all. I think this may just be a tradition in the making.

 

All of this is thanks to this hobby that's turned into a part time passion of mine.

I love sharing with you.

I'm pinching myself everyday, hoping that everything is for real and I can keep pushing forward doing things that I love.

I'm so grateful.

I can not wait for what 2014 holds.

 

~Melissa
*Turducken c/o Echelon Foods for review purposes. All opinions are of my own. Echelon Foods are available throughout Canada as well as select stores in the United States and have a variety of flavors. For more information visit their website: http://www.echelonfoods.com

Providence Festival of Trees

A couple of weekends ago we attended the Providence Festival of Trees. It was our first time.

The kids actually loved it - we went on Friday night before going to the Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo, so there was less of a crowd there.

There was so many gorgeous trees to look at, as well as a Santa's Workshop for the kids where they could create a variety of ornaments; face painting, and a Teddy Bear Hospital.

It really got us into the holiday spirit.

If we are in the area next year I would most certainly go again, as the kids spent over an hour looking around and smiling, and it all goes to a good cause.

~Melissa