For four decades, writer Anne Atkins viewed her birthday with a sense of resignation, even dislike. Born close to New Year, she felt her special day was perpetually overshadowed by the festive season. Now, she champions the midwinter birthday as potentially the best celebration of all.
The Early Years: A Birthday Overshadowed
Anne's relationship with her late December birth date was, in her own words, like a challenging but ultimately happy arranged marriage. The dice were loaded against it from the start. Her father, a choir school head, was consumed by work from September through Christmas Day. The family's tradition was to escape immediately after Boxing Day, meaning Anne was in her thirties before she experienced a birthday at home.
The proximity to Christmas also seemed to dilute the generosity of both occasions. Having two brothers didn't help. She recalls receiving a left-handed glove for Christmas and the right-handed one for her birthday. In another memorable slight, one brother informed her that only the first side of an LP record was his Christmas gift to her; the second side was reserved for her birthday.
A Glorious Surprise That Broke the Curse
The turning point came one dark evening when Anne was in her late-thirties. One of her children took her out for a drink. So accustomed was she to ignoring her birthday that she barely registered the date. Upon their return, dozens of friends and neighbours jumped out with party poppers and balloons – her first-ever birthday party.
This surprise celebration broke the long-standing curse. Today, Anne embraces her birthday with gusto, planning gatherings months in advance. She now sees the advantages of a post-Christmas celebration: the firewood is stacked, the house remains festooned with greenery, and the tree still twinkles. Crucially, the official festivities are receding but the holiday mood lingers, perfect for one last joyful gathering before work resumes.
The Ancient Wisdom of a Midwinter Festival
Anne points to the wisdom of our ancestors, who celebrated for a full Twelve Days of Christmas through the darkest part of winter. Her birthday falls just before Epiphany, neatly avoiding a clash with Christmas or New Year's Eve but brightening the sluggish early January period.
There are practical perks, too. While goose and turkey may be a memory, Stilton, nuts, dates, oysters, and game are in season, and post-holiday sales often mean reduced prices. She also reflects on the natural cycle, noting that spring romance, heralded by St Valentine's Day, leads to midwinter births – just when a cheerful birthday celebration is most needed to lift spirits.
From a childhood of overlooked birthdays to a present filled with planned festivities, Anne Atkins's journey shows that a midwinter birthday can be a unique and deeply rewarding time to celebrate.
