A mother has sparked a significant online conversation after detailing the four firm rules she enforces to protect her son's December birthday from being swallowed up by the Christmas festivities.
Navigating the Festive Birthday Dilemma
December is notoriously hectic, packed with festive parties, gift shopping, and family gatherings. For those born in this month, their special day can often become an afterthought, merged into the seasonal chaos. Determined to avoid this, mum Nat LeLe took to TikTok to explain her strategy for keeping the celebrations distinct and ensuring her son feels just as celebrated as children with summer birthdays.
The Four Rules for a Separate Celebration
Rule one mandates a dedicated birthday party. Nat LeLe insists on throwing a large party for her son, sending invitations out as early as October to secure guests' attendance. She noted a practical benefit: parents appreciate the chance to drop off their children and enjoy a break for Christmas shopping. Siblings are also invited to allow parents to fully 'unplug'.
The second rule concerns a strict present time frame. To prevent the two occasions from blurring, no birthday presents are given after his actual birthday, and no Christmas presents are opened before it. Gifts from distant family are accepted in advance and given at the correct time. "Everything that is birthday related happens before or on his birthday, and then after that, everything is Christmas," Nat explained.
Rule three is an absolute ban on joint birthday and Christmas gifts. Nat argues it is unfair for December babies to receive combined presents when children born in other months enjoy separate gifts for each occasion. She is adamant that the two must remain distinct.
The final rule focuses on wrapping paper. Birthday presents must never be wrapped in Christmas paper, and Christmas gifts cannot use birthday-themed paper. This visual separation reinforces the boundary between the two events for her young son.
Public Reaction: Support and Scrutiny
The TikTok video quickly amassed thousands of comments, revealing a split in public opinion. Many with December birthdays expressed heartfelt gratitude. "As a December birthday I approve," wrote one viewer. Another, a Christmas baby, added: "Thank you for doing this. Please also *continue* to care this much about it into his teens and early adulthood."
However, others felt some rules were too demanding. While agreeing with the sentiment, some questioned the practicality of expecting separate gifts from extended family or friends. "I agreed with most of this, but isn’t expecting a duo gift from people outside your family a bit unfair?" one commenter asked. Another suggested that a combined gift might become more appropriate as the child grows older.
Ultimately, Nat LeLe's guidelines highlight a common challenge for parents of December-born children and have ignited a broader debate about making every child feel uniquely special, regardless of their birth date.
