Most would not expect to wake up Christmas morning in labor, especially when your due date is two and a half weeks later. I’m not due until next month—heck, I’m not due until next year! Although my due date was January 11, that’s exactly how things went.
We could have sent our son to daycare if it were any other Tuesday. But did I mention this was Christmas Day!? Luckily, my parents only lived about 20 minutes away. I called to let them know that I was in labor and that we needed them to come over to stay with my three-year-old son. I’ll never forget the first thing my mother asked if she had time to get coffee before heading over! Mother – it’s Christmas Day! Ouch, contraction. And I’m having a baby. Can you please just get over here? Ouch, contraction.
I don’t recall how long it took for my parents to head over or if my mother had that coffee with her, but as soon as they arrived, my husband and I headed down to Montefiore Medical Center (Einstein Hospital) in the Bronx. Our little girl arrived a few hours later at 1:12 p.m.
In the spirit of the season, here are 12 holiday songs to help describe why a December 25th birthday differs from all other birthdays.
1. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)
Who wakes up Christmas morning in labor? The answer to that question is, “This girl right here!” A December 25th birthday is pretty rare. December 25th is the least popular birthday day (according to Data Journalist Matt Stiles on How Common is Your Birthday).
2. Merry New York Christmas (Rob Thomas)
We lived in Lower Westchester County at the time. The ride to the hospital in the Bronx wasn’t too bad—I’m guessing that’s because it was at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day! There was no traffic, and very few people were on the road.
3. I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas (Bon Jovi)
Numerous times, I’d been told to hope and pray not to have a baby on a major holiday. The reason is that supposedly the “best of the best” do not work on the holidays. I could not disagree more! Everyone was fantastic – from the minute we walked into the minute we left. Think about it – no one is coming for elective surgery on Christmas Day. There are no planned inducements and/or c-sections. We walked into the hospital, and there wasn’t a soul in the lobby besides the security guards. Even though I wouldn’t doubt they were missing their families, the doctors, nurses, and staff were all quite festive. They seemed genuinely excited about a Christmas Baby! Fewer patients in the hospital equals more personal care, and I got lots of attention. It was quite a different experience than my son, born on a random November day.
4. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Day (David Bowie/Bing Crosby)
These were the days before the social media boom, so we had to call people to let them know our little girl had arrived! But in this case, because it was December 25th, we only needed to make one phone call about my daughter’s arrival to my husband’s side of the family because they were all together. No reaching out to our jobs to announce to colleagues. I don’t think I reached one friend either – only voicemails were left. Nice and quiet, but sort of an anti-climatic announcement and a little lonely! But, for better or worse, no visitors!
5. Something About Christmas Time (Bryan Adams)
There are many celebrated holidays yearly – but Christmas is THE holiday. It’s the day of the year that everyone waits for. Adults are enthusiastic, and kids are giddy. There is something about Christmas, and it’s generally a beautiful, peaceful day. The focus on the daily grind stops and instead focuses on friends, family, food, and giving back. Most stores, restaurants, and such are closed. My parents had little choice other than to eat Chinese food for dinner, as their plans to spend Christmas Day with us in Long Island didn’t happen.
6. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Andy Williams)
Once the holiday season begins, my girl also feels like it’s a celebration. We all sense that the birthday season has started, too. In theory, she has an extended celebration. This time of year has a different feel—joy, happiness, togetherness, love, smiles, laughter, and friendliness—and in a way, we feel like a piece of that is all for our girl. And she does, too.
7. Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses)
You know when your child asks for a game or toy, and you respond with, “Wait for your birthday” or “Wait for the holidays” – whichever is the next celebratory event? This doesn’t exactly fly in our house. While her birthday “day” may get lost, the presents do not. Overload. Even my son makes out a bit with a little extra because we feel bad that, between us and our family, his sister has so many presents to open.
8. Do You Hear What I Hear? (Bing Crosby)
Friends, schoolmates, and acquaintances often give a little extra smile when my daughter relays the date of her birthday. Usually, we get, “Really? Actually, on Christmas?” Oddly enough, once someone knows, I always expect people to remember—which I know is silly, but how could you not?
9. Do They Know It’s Christmas? (Band-Aid)
On the other hand, when I call to make an appointment with a doctor, let’s say they need her date of birth. I wait for the reaction.—and nada. Ahem? Don’t you think it’s cool that she was born on December 25th? You know that’s Christmas, right? Bah-humbug!
10. There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays (Perry Como)
My daughter will always be off from school on her birthday and likely work, depending on her career. Neither my husband nor I have to be concerned with work conflicts, including a business trip. It is lovely that we’ll always have the whole day to celebrate together. That said, she’ll never receive the full range of those in-person birthday wishes most of us receive at school or work. And most likely, she will never “just” celebrate her birthday on December 25th. As it’s traditionally the biggest holiday of the year, Christmas will always be celebrated alongside it.
11. Wonderful Christmastime (Paul McCartney)
Simply put, we are currently celebrating Christmas Day with family, and it is a wonderful day! We hope that friends, family, and love will always surround our daughter. And we never have to think twice about what we’re bringing to the get-together – a birthday cake, of course! She also gets a complete chorus of the “Happy Birthday” song. I will mention that she loves, loves, loves that her birthday is on Christmas.
12. Last Christmas (George Michael)
We will always have a great story to tell when we speak of Christmas, past, present, and future.
Coincidentally, as a Jewish family, we do not technically celebrate Christmas, and I should probably be referencing the Chanukah Song (versions 1, 2, or 3!). Still, my husband and I have always celebrated all that the holiday season has to offer. His extended family has always celebrated the holiday season together on December 25th. My family typically celebrated on one of the days of Chanukah (or whatever day was most convenient to all), but the celebration was also about the entire holiday season.
Since our beautiful daughter was born on December 25th, we feel more connected to the Christmas holiday, possibly by default. She feels connected and creates that excellent spirit throughout the holiday season, which is so much fun! And man, she is over the moon when Chanukah crosses over on December 25th, too! She knows that we don’t officially celebrate the holiday and do not have Christmas decorations—although we do not deny her putting out cookies and milk for Santa.
