When she was little, Jennifer McNeese thought having her birthday two days before Christmas was "awesome."
"You get all kinds of toys. It was like doubling up. Then when you hit 12, all you get is: 'P.S. Happy birthday.'"
So what's it like having a birthday close to Christmas now?
"It sucks," the 42-year-old McNeese says.
Many people who have a birthday either on or near Christmas say it can mean missing out on the birthday parties that everyone else seems to get or getting birthday gifts wrapped in Christmas paper. In worst-case scenarios, it can mean having their birthday forgotten altogether.
Having a birthday in the days immediately after Christmas can add another dimension to an already less-than-ideal situation, according to Abbie Messer, who was born on Dec. 29 in 1979. People tend to be partied and gifted out, she says.
"After is the worst because people are over it," she says. "A pet peeve of mine my whole life is people bringing me a birthday gift wrapped as a Christmas gift. I get leftover Christmas gifts, too. A friend recently bought me a box of ornaments she got on sale for my birthday. I'm like, really?"
(Other) Famous people born on Christmas Day
* Sir Isaac Newton: 1642* Humphrey Bogart: 1899* Cab Calloway: 1907* Jimmy Buffett: 1946* Sissy Spacek: 1949* Annie Lennox: 1954* Rod Serling: 1924* Little Richard: 1935* Barbara Mandrell: 1948"My husband [Bill] and I share a birthday. Dec. 17. Growing up deprived of birthday paper-wrapped gifts and cards, we make it a point to separate the two. Our kids thought all parents had the same birthday when they were little."-- Samantha Parker"My husband's [Bruce] is Christmas Eve and he hates it. In fact, he hates the whole season. Anytime someone asks his birthday he cringes. Eight years together and every year I clear the schedule, get him a birthday cake and birthday gift in birthday paper with a birthday card. Trying to undo years of getting gypped is challenging."-- Lindsey Walsh"I [turned] 33 on Monday the 22nd. Christmas birthdays are notorious for the 'here is your shared Christmas gift.' At my age, with three kids and a husband of 13 years, I try to overlook my birthday. With the economy the way it is, truthfully I just feel like it becomes more of a burden on people. I hate to see others struggle to provide [like most of us] and then add the double-present issue. That may sound weird because a person is suppose to take that day and think of themselves. I have never minded the close proximity date [even though I have a brother whose birthday is the 21st and he will be 14]. The season is for giving."-- Nikki Robinson"As a child, my mother always tried to separate the two events, but it wasn't easy with family not going along with it. My grandmother ALWAYS wrapped birthday gifts in Christmas paper, so my mother would quickly grab them and rewrap them for me.""As an adult, my friends like to combine my birthday with New Year's Eve parties."-- Petty Officer Second Class (Surface Warfare) Danielle Beard, currently stationed onboard the USS George Washington in Yokosuka, JapanFast fact According to a data chart released in 2012 by the New York Times, Sept. 16 is the most common birthday in the U.S. But if you figure that the average pregnancy is 38 weeks, that means Christmas Eve is the most popular day for conceiving a baby -- whether intentionally or not. In fact, the top 10 most common birthdays all fall between Sept. 9 (Dec. 17 conception date) and Sept. 24 (Jan. 1 conception date), so it looks like Americans are very busy during the holidays, and not just buying presents.
Her brother, Josh Yother, was born Dec. 26, 1973, and the two used to exchange $20 but even gave that up when she turned 21.
"When were just handing the same 20-dollar bill back and forth," she says.
Her only memorable birthday was her 16th, when she got a car and had friends together for a party at the Station House restaurant. Other than that, she says, she never had a birthday party with friends. Even her landmark years, like her recent 30th, drew little more than the usual round of simple "Happy birthday" acknowledgements.
"Of course, my diva little sister -- lucky enough to have been born in July -- always had the cool pool party. Even my husband tells me, "Your birthday stinks and I will tell you up front I forget about it."
McNeese, an only child, says she never had a birthday party because her friends were on vacation or doing holiday things with family when her Dec. 23 birthday rolled around.
"It was awful," she says. "I always wanted to have a party, but no one was in town. I even asked if I could move it to July or on the day I was supposed to be born, Valentine's Day, but they wouldn't do it," McNeese says.
This year, because her birthday is Christmas week, McNeese's boss took her to lunch two weeks ago. While she appreciated the lunch and understands why they went then, it still wasn't on her birthday.
Natalie Wilson says being born on Christmas Day seems to have worked out well for her husband, Josh, who was born in 1984. She says he learned early in life to play the sympathy card to his advantage.
"He was always very spoiled," she says. "He'd say, 'Since I can't have a party, can I get this gift now [during the year]?'
"His parents definitely over-compensated."
But his birthday was made even more special two years ago when their daughter Jazmin was born on Christmas.
"I told him I would never be able to give him a better gift," Natalie says. "I think he's enjoyed being a Christmas baby, especially now that he gets to share it with his daughter."
The couple's blended family includes five other children, including two stepbrothers with birthdays on Dec. 14 and 15, which they celebrate during one party so the boys can be together.
On Christmas Day, Natalie says they will likely open Christmas presents in the morning, then have a celebratory birthday lunch. When Jazmin is older, they will likely have three separate celebrations throughout the day, she says
"It's a lot to do. We try to be very intentional about keeping them separate and special."
Don Kirk was born on Christmas Eve in 1943. The youngest of five children, Kirk grew up on a rural farm where money was tight and Christmas -- and therefore his birthday -- meant that the most he might find under the tree or in a birthday package -- which mostly were one and the same -- was a piece of fruit and some nuts.
"I was always...," he begins, "I wouldn't say disappointed because I always knew things were difficult. I didn't get a whole lot."
It did bother him, however, when it came time for his siblings' birthdays. Three were in the summer and the fourth was in February.
"It was like another holiday when their birthdays came around," he recalls.
In the 26 years since he married his current wife, Gail, they and their daughter, Donna Armstrong, have made it a point to make his birthday special, he says.
"We have a birthday dinner and a Christmas dinner. They make sure I'm recognized.
"I had learned to accept it, but it does make me feel good that they and other people let me know it is my birthday and not Christmas."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfree press.com at 423-757-6354.