December and Holiday Birthday Ideas

Kids with birthdays in December, or near any big holiday, often feel their special day gets lost in the season. Families are traveling, calendars are packed, and gifts sometimes get "combined". With a little planning, you can make sure a holiday-season birthday feels just as special as any other.

Keep the birthday separate

The most important thing kids with holiday birthdays say they want: for their birthday to feel like its own celebration.

• Use birthday decorations, not holiday ones. Balloons and streamers in their favorite colors, not red and green.
• Wrap birthday gifts in birthday paper, not holiday wrapping.
• Avoid "combo" gifts ("this is for your birthday and Christmas") unless your child is happy with it.
• Keep their birthday traditions even when you're traveling: the birthday breakfast, the candles, the song.

Pick the right party date

December weekends fill up fast with school concerts, holiday parties and travel.

• Early December usually works better than the week before the holidays.
• Send invitations early, four weeks ahead if you can, so families can plan around everything else.
• Consider a "half birthday" party in June. Some families celebrate the actual birthday quietly at home and throw the big party six months later, when everyone is around and the weather is better.
• Or celebrate in January, when everyone's calendar empties out and kids are looking for something fun.

Theme ideas (that aren't the holidays)

Let your child choose a theme that's about them, not the season. If they do want something wintery, try:

• Winter wonderland or snowflakes
• Ice skating party
• Penguins and polar bears
• Hot cocoa and pajama party
• Sparkle and glitter: perfect for a December birthday that wants to feel festive without being holiday-themed

For more, see our winter birthday party ideas.

Party ideas for a busy season

• A short, simple party: 90 minutes at a venue, so nobody has to clean the house in December.
• A small-group outing: a movie, ice skating or bowling with a few close friends.
• A family-only celebration on the day, with friends celebrated later.
• A "birthday breakfast" party: pancakes and pajamas on a weekend morning, before families' other plans.

If you're traveling

• Bring candles, a small "Happy birthday" banner and wrapped gifts.
• Ask relatives to sing at breakfast, so the day starts with their birthday.
• Plan a small treat just for them: a special outing, a restaurant they choose, or a phone call with their friends.

Gifts

Holiday birthdays often mean lots of gifts in a short time. A short wishlist, a group gift, or "no gifts, please" can make things easier for guests. See our no-gifts invitation wording.

When you're ready to invite friends, Birfy gives you one link with the invitation, RSVPs and a gift wishlist, so families can reply in seconds even in the busiest month of the year.