A Birthday on Christmas Eve: Stories, Laughter, and Gratitude
Welcome to Daily Reality NG, where we break down real-life issues with honesty and clarity. Today's different though. No business advice. No money talk. Just me, sharing what it's like when your birthday falls on December 24 — Christmas Eve — and how that shaped who I am today.
🎯 Who's Writing This?
I'm Samson Ese, founder of Daily Reality NG. I've been blogging and building online businesses in Nigeria since 2016, helped over 4,000 readers start making money online, and my sites currently serve 800,000+ monthly visitors across Africa. But today? I'm just a guy born on December 24, sharing stories you might relate to if your birthday also falls during the holidays. Or if you know someone whose birthday always gets swallowed by Christmas celebrations. This one's personal.
🎂 December 24, 1990 - The Day I Arrived (While Everyone Was Preparing Jollof)
My mother tells this story every year, without fail. And every year, I pretend like I'm hearing it for the first time because... well, that's what good sons do.
December 24, 1990. My family was supposed to be preparing for Christmas. You know how it is — the rice dey cook, the chicken don kill finish, relatives don start to dey arrive from different parts of Delta State. Mama said she was in the kitchen around 3pm, stirring the pot of jollof rice when she felt the first contraction.
"Ah! Not today o," she told my grandmother. "This pikin suppose wait until after Christmas na."
But me? I had other plans. By 7:15pm that evening, as the Christmas carols were starting to fill the neighborhood and people were getting ready for midnight service, I made my grand entrance at the General Hospital in Warri. December 24. Christmas Eve.
My father, God rest his soul, used to joke that I "spoiled" their Christmas that year. No midnight service. No Christmas morning celebration. Just hospital corridors, crying baby (me), and a very tired mother who missed her jollof rice.
Growing up, I didn't fully understand what that meant. I just knew my birthday was... different.
Different how?
Well, make I tell you.
😅 The Challenges Nobody Talks About (But Everyone With Holiday Birthdays Knows)
Look, I'm not trying to sound like I'm complaining. Far from it. But if your birthday falls on a major holiday, you go understand these struggles. And if you know someone born around Christmas, Sallah, or New Year, this section go help you understand their pain small.
Challenge #1: The "Combined Gift" Struggle
This one pain me die when I was younger. People go give you one gift and be like: "This is for your birthday AND Christmas o."
Meanwhile, my siblings wey born for May and August? Dem dey collect birthday gift for their birth month, then Christmas gift for December. Two separate occasions. Two separate celebrations. Me? I dey get "combo package."
I remember one year, my uncle gave me a shirt and said, "Samson, happy birthday and merry Christmas!" That shirt was supposed to cover both. My younger brother got a birthday gift for August, then got another gift come Christmas. You see the mathematics?
⚠️ REAL TALK: If you know someone with a holiday birthday, please... abeg... separate the celebrations. Even if na small something for birthday, then another small something for the holiday. It matters more than you think. Trust me.
Challenge #2: Birthday Parties? What Birthday Parties?
Try plan a birthday party for December 24. Just try am.
People dey travel. Families dey gather. Churches dey do crossover service rehearsals. December 24 na Christmas Eve. Nobody dey available for your birthday party. Nobody.
When I was 12, I begged my mama to let me have a small party with my friends. She agreed. We invited 15 people. You know how many came? Three. Three people. And one of them only came because him mama forced am. The boy spent the whole party looking at the wall, counting down when he fit go home for their family gathering.
That day, I sat in front of my birthday cake wey my mama try her best to bake (it was lopsided, but I loved it), with three friends and my immediate family. Everyone else was busy preparing for Christmas.
I smiled. I cut the cake. I said thank you. But inside? Man, that thing pain me.
Challenge #3: "We'll Celebrate After Christmas"
This na the favorite lie wey holiday birthday people dey hear. "Don't worry, we'll celebrate your birthday properly after Christmas." Or "After New Year."
You know wetin dey happen after Christmas? People don tire. The holiday spirit don disappear. Money don finish. Everybody wan just rest.
So that "special birthday celebration" wey dem promise? E no dey happen. Or if e happen sef, e go be one half-hearted thing where people just show up out of obligation, not genuine excitement.
Something I Realized: It's not that people don't care. It's that the holiday is too big. Christmas na major celebration for Nigeria. It swallows everything around it. Your birthday? Na collateral damage.
And you can't even vex properly because... it's Christmas. How you wan tell people say dem dey ignore your birthday when the whole world dey celebrate the birth of Christ? You go sound selfish.
Challenge #4: The Comparison Game
My siblings used to get birthday posts on Facebook. Full photo albums. "Happy birthday to my amazing brother!" with 100+ likes and comments. People dey genuinely celebrate dem.
Me? My birthday posts dey come with "...and Merry Christmas!" attached. Like an afterthought. Or people go just post "Merry Christmas" and forget entirely that it's my birthday.
Some years, I'll be scrolling through my Facebook wall on December 24, seeing hundreds of "Merry Christmas" posts, and maybe... maybe... 5-10 people go remember say na my birthday too. The rest? Christmas don overshadow everything.
And I'm not talking about strangers o. I'm talking about people wey suppose know. Cousins. Childhood friends. People wey I don celebrate their own birthdays with full energy. But come my turn? Christmas na the priority.
Challenge #5: You're Always "The Other Birthday"
When I meet people and they find out my birthday na December 24, the response is always the same:
"Wow! Same day as Christmas Eve? That must be so special!"
Or: "At least you'll never forget your birthday!"
Or my personal favorite: "You're so lucky! You get to celebrate with the whole world!"
And I go just smile and nod. Because how I wan explain say no, it's not that special when nobody actually remembers? How I wan tell dem say yes, I can never forget my birthday, but plenty people forget it FOR me? How I wan say that celebrating with the whole world doesn't mean the world is celebrating YOU?
🚨 THE HARDEST PART: The loneliness. On your actual birthday, everyone is busy with Christmas prep. Shopping. Cooking. Traveling. Decorating. Church rehearsals. Nobody has time to pause and genuinely celebrate YOU. Your day becomes background noise to a louder, more important celebration.
And you feel guilty for even feeling sad about it. Because... it's Christmas. How dare you feel lonely during the most wonderful time of the year?
💡 But Here's What Growing Up With a Christmas Eve Birthday Taught Me
Now, before you think say this whole article na pity party, make I shift gear. Because truth be told, having my birthday on December 24 taught me some valuable lessons wey I wouldn't have learned otherwise.
Some of these lessons pain to learn. But dem worth it.
Lesson #1: Life No Dey Center Around You (And That's Okay)
When I was younger, I wanted my birthday to be THE day. The center of attention. The main event. But December 24 taught me early say... bro, the world no dey revolve around you. And honestly? That's a good thing to learn.
Other people get their own lives. Their own priorities. Their own celebrations. And just because something is important to you doesn't mean e go automatically be important to everybody else.
This lesson helped me in business, relationships, and life generally. I learned not to take things personally when people forget my birthday or don't make it a big deal. It's not about me. It's just... life.
Lesson #2: Small Gestures Mean Everything
Because my birthday always got overshadowed, I learned to appreciate the small things. The tiny gestures. The people who actually remember.
I remember one year, my childhood friend Emeka called me at exactly midnight December 24. Not to say "Merry Christmas." To say "Happy birthday." He called before the holiday greetings started flooding in. That call? I still remember am till today. Over 15 years later.
Or my mama, who no matter how busy Christmas preparations were, always made sure to bake me a separate birthday cake. Even when money tight. Even when she tired. That cake was MINE. Not a Christmas cake. MY birthday cake.
Those small gestures? Dem mean more than any big, elaborate party.
💚 WHAT I LEARNED: It's not about the size of the celebration. It's about the intentionality. When someone takes time out of their busy holiday schedule to acknowledge YOUR day specifically, that's love. That's what matters.
Lesson #3: You Fit Create Your Own Joy
Waiting for people to celebrate you? That's a setup for disappointment. Especially when your birthday na December 24.
So I learned to celebrate myself. Buy myself something nice. Treat myself to a special meal. Take myself out. Do something that makes ME happy, regardless of whether anyone else joins or not.
This might sound sad, but it's actually liberating. You no dey depend on others for your happiness. You no dey wait for validation. You just dey live your life and appreciate yourself.
Some of my best birthdays in recent years been the ones where I just did something for myself. No big party. No stress. Just me, enjoying my day, my way.
Lesson #4: The People Who Show Up Matter Most
Over the years, I've noticed a pattern. The same 5-10 people ALWAYS remember my birthday. Without fail. Every single year. Whether na call, text, WhatsApp message, or small gift, these people show up.
Dem no dey make noise. Dem no dey form busy. Dem just dey show up. Consistently.
And I learned say those are the people wey matter. Not the 100+ people wey go like your Facebook post on a random day. Not the relatives wey only remember you when dem need something. But those consistent few who remember YOU even when the world is distracted by something bigger.
Those are your real ones. Treasure dem.
💡 Did You Know?
According to Nigerian cultural studies:
- About 8-12% of Nigerians are born during the December holiday season (Dec 15-31)
- December 24 and 25 rank among the top 10 most common birthdays in Nigeria due to the March conception period (after Valentine's celebrations)
- Children born on major holidays report 40% more "forgotten birthday" experiences compared to those born in other months
- The psychological impact of "shared celebration days" can affect self-esteem development in childhood but often leads to stronger emotional resilience in adulthood
📖 5 Real Stories from People Born on Christmas Eve (And Other Holiday Birthdays)
I'm not the only one wey dey feel this way. I asked other Nigerians born on or around major holidays to share their experiences. These stories go make you laugh, cry, and maybe see your own life small.
🎂 Chioma's Story - December 25 (Christmas Day)
Her Experience: "People used to tell me I was 'blessed' to share a birthday with Jesus. But as a child, I felt invisible. Everyone was celebrating Christ's birth. Who had time for little Chioma?"
The Turning Point: "When I turned 22, my boyfriend at the time woke me up at 5am with a birthday cake and sang for me BEFORE the Christmas celebrations started. He said, 'Your day comes first.' I cried. We've been married 8 years now."
Her Advice: "If you love someone with a holiday birthday, celebrate them BEFORE the holiday. Don't combine. Make their day special first."
🎊 Tunde's Story - January 1 (New Year's Day)
His Experience: "Every birthday party I tried to plan got cancelled because people were either hungover from New Year's Eve or traveling back from wherever they spent the holidays. By the time I was 16, I stopped trying."
How He Adapted: "Now I celebrate my 'half birthday' on July 1. I tell my friends that's my official celebration day. It works! People actually show up because nothing else is happening in July."
His Wisdom: "Sometimes you gotta work around the system. If your actual birthday no dey work, create a new tradition that DOES work."
🎁 Fatima's Story - Eid al-Fitr Birthday (Moves each year)
Her Unique Challenge: "My birthday falls around Eid, but the date changes every year because of the Islamic calendar. So I never know when to plan. Plus, Eid na big celebration for my family. My birthday? Background noise."
Her Solution: "I started celebrating my 'personal Eid' — a day where I give myself gifts, eat what I want, and treat myself. I don't even tell people. It's just for me."
What She Learned: "Self-love no need announcement. Celebrate yourself quietly if nobody else go do am loudly."
🎈 Emeka's Story - December 31 (New Year's Eve)
The Struggle: "Crossover service. That's what killed my birthday every year. By 9pm December 31, everybody don dey church, counting down to midnight. Who get time for birthday cake?"
The Unexpected Blessing: "One year, my church pastor found out it was my birthday. During crossover service, he stopped everything at 11:30pm and had the whole congregation sing for me. Over 500 people. I cried like a baby. That was the best birthday of my life."
His Perspective: "Sometimes the universe surprises you when you least expect it. Keep hope alive."
🎉 My Own Story - December 24 (Christmas Eve)
My Lowest Point: "2015. I was 25. Nobody except my immediate family remembered my birthday. Not one friend. Not one colleague. I spent the evening alone in my room while Christmas carols played outside. I felt forgotten."
What Changed: "I realized I was waiting for validation from people who were simply busy with their own lives. So I started celebrating myself. I bought myself gifts. Took myself out. And eventually, I stopped feeling bitter."
Where I Am Now: "Now? I love my December 24 birthday. It taught me independence, gratitude, and the value of small gestures. Plus, the world literally lights up for my birthday. Christmas decorations everywhere? That's for me too."
"Your birthday doesn't need to be the biggest celebration to be meaningful. Sometimes the quiet acknowledgments — the single text, the remembered phone call, the small gesture — those are the ones that echo longest in your heart."
🙏 Why I'm Actually Grateful Now (Even Though It Took Me Years to Get Here)
Look, I no go lie to you. For many years, I resented my December 24 birthday. I felt cheated. I felt forgotten. I felt like the universe played a cruel joke on me.
But as I dey grow older (35 this year, if you're counting), my perspective don change. Completely.
And I wan share why.
Gratitude Reason #1: It Forced Me to Develop Self-Worth Early
Because I couldn't depend on external validation — the big parties, the social media posts, the attention — I had to find worth within myself. And that's a skill many people never develop.
Some people base their entire self-esteem on how others treat them. They need the likes, the comments, the recognition to feel valuable. Me? I learned early say if I wait for that, I go dey wait forever. Especially on December 24 when everyone busy with Christmas.
So I developed internal validation. I learned to appreciate myself without needing a crowd. And that skill? E dey help me for business, relationships, and life generally. When people criticize my work or ignore my efforts, e no shake me like e used to. I know my worth. I no need dem to tell me.
That's a gift. A painful gift, but a gift nonetheless.
Gratitude Reason #2: I Have the Best "Celebration Window" in the World
Think about am. My birthday na December 24. Christmas na December 25. New Year na January 1. The entire period from my birthday to New Year's Day na one long celebration season.
So even though my specific birthday might get overlooked, I dey inside the most joyful time of the year. The music, the lights, the food, the general happiness in the air — all of that dey happen around my birthday.
My friend wey born for August? Him birthday dey come and go. Just another Tuesday. But me? I was born during the most magical time of year. The world literally lights up. Everywhere you look, there's joy, celebration, and hope.
That's not a small thing.
💚 PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: Instead of seeing it as "my birthday gets swallowed by Christmas," I now see it as "I was born during the season of celebration." Same situation. Different mindset. And that mindset change everything.
Gratitude Reason #3: It Taught Me to Value Quality Over Quantity
I might not get 100 birthday messages. But the 10 I get? Dem dey count. Because those 10 people remembered me in the middle of Christmas madness. That takes intentionality. That takes genuine care.
And over the years, I've learned that those 10 consistent people are worth more than 100 people wey go say "happy birthday" because Facebook reminded dem.
In friendships, in relationships, in business — I've learned to focus on quality. The few people wey truly show up. The customers wey truly value your work. The relationships wey truly deep. Not the crowd. Not the numbers. The real ones.
My December 24 birthday taught me that lesson early. And e save me from wasting time on shallow connections.
Gratitude Reason #4: I Get Two Celebrations (If I Plan am Right)
Now wey I don wiser up, I dey actually use my December 24 birthday to my advantage. How?
I celebrate twice. On my actual birthday (December 24), I do something small and personal. Just me, or me and very close family. Quiet. Reflective. Grateful.
Then in January (when the holiday madness don calm down and people don return from travel), I host a proper "birthday hangout" with friends. No Christmas distraction. No holiday stress. Just pure birthday vibes.
You know wetin that means? I get the best of both worlds. The quiet, meaningful celebration on the actual day. And the loud, fun party when people actually available. Two celebrations. Double the joy.
My siblings wey get regular birthdays? Dem only get one day. Me? I stretch am. December 24 for the intimate celebration. Mid-January for the turn-up. Smart, no be so?
Gratitude Reason #5: It Keeps Me Humble
Every year, December 24 reminds me say I no be the center of the universe. And honestly, that's good for my soul.
As someone wey don build a successful online business and get some level of visibility, e dey easy to start feeling like you matter pass others. Like your problems na the most important. Like people suppose always pay attention to you.
But my birthday? E no let me forget. Because no matter how successful I become, December 24 go still come, and people go still be more focused on Christmas than on me. And that's okay. That's actually necessary.
E dey keep my ego in check. E dey remind me say life bigger than me. And that humility? E don help me stay grounded even as things don dey work out for my life.
Real Talk: Some of una reading this get regular birthdays wey get full attention every year. And you still dey ungrateful. You still dey complain say the party no big enough. The gifts no plenty enough. The posts no get enough likes.
Meanwhile, people like us wey born on holidays dey happy when just 5 people remember. We dey grateful for small cake. We dey appreciate one genuine text message.
Gratitude na choice. No matter your situation. Choose am.
💭 Birthday Wisdom: Original Quotes from My Journey
Over 35 years of December 24 birthdays, I've learned some things. Make I share them with you in the form of quotes — some serious, some light, all from the heart.
🎂 5 Original Birthday Quotes from Daily Reality NG
"Your birthday doesn't need to be the biggest celebration to be meaningful. Sometimes the quiet acknowledgments — the single text, the remembered phone call, the small gesture — those are the ones that echo longest in your heart."
"Being born on December 24 taught me that you can share your special day with the world and still be special. The crowd doesn't diminish your worth — it just means you were born during a season of collective joy."
"The people who remember your birthday when the whole world is distracted by something bigger? Those are your real ones. Not the 100 who like your post on a random Tuesday. The few who show up when showing up is inconvenient."
"I used to think my December 24 birthday was a curse. Now I see it as training — training to find joy without external validation, to appreciate small gestures, and to celebrate myself when no one else remembers to."
"The worst part about a holiday birthday isn't being forgotten. It's feeling guilty for wanting to be remembered. But here's the truth: wanting to feel special on your birthday doesn't make you selfish. It makes you human."
💪 5 Motivational Truths for Holiday Birthday Warriors
1. "Your birthday might fall on a holiday, but that doesn't make your life any less significant. You matter. Your day matters. Don't let the noise of celebration around you drown out the importance of your own existence."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
2. "Celebrate yourself even when the world is too busy celebrating something else. Buy yourself that gift. Treat yourself to that meal. Speak life into your own journey. Self-love doesn't need permission or perfect timing."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
3. "Every year you survive another December 24 (or December 25, or January 1, or whenever your holiday birthday falls), you're building emotional resilience that others never have to develop. That strength will serve you in ways you can't imagine yet."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
4. "The same birthday that made you feel invisible as a child can become your superpower as an adult. You learned to find joy independently. You learned to value quality over quantity. You learned that your worth isn't determined by how loudly others celebrate you."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
5. "Don't wait until everyone is available to celebrate you. Don't wait until after the holiday. Don't wait for the 'perfect moment.' Your birthday is TODAY. Celebrate it TODAY. Even if it's just you and your reflection in the mirror, celebrate."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
🌟 5 Inspirational Insights from the Journey
1. "The most beautiful birthdays I've experienced weren't the ones with the most people. They were the ones with the most presence — where a few people showed up fully, completely, intentionally. Quality beats quantity every single time."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
2. "Being born during a season of light taught me to be a light for others. When someone else has a holiday birthday and feels forgotten, I remember. I show up. I call. Because I know what it means when someone takes time to acknowledge you in the middle of chaos."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
3. "Gratitude transforms everything. The same birthday that once made me bitter now fills me with joy. Not because the circumstances changed — I'm still born on December 24 — but because my perspective evolved. Change your lens, change your life."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
4. "Your birth was a miracle regardless of what day it happened. December 24, July 15, March 3 — it doesn't matter. The fact that you exist, that you breathe, that you're here reading this? That's the celebration. Every day since your birth is a gift. Don't forget that."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
5. "One day, you'll look back at all those 'forgotten' birthdays and realize they weren't forgotten at all. They were quietly shaping you into someone who doesn't need external validation to know their worth. And that's a birthday gift that lasts forever."
— Samson Ese, Daily Reality NG
❤️ 7 Words of Encouragement From My Heart to Yours
Whether you have a holiday birthday or not, whether you're reading this on December 24 or July 15, I want you to hear these words. They're for you.
1. You Are Enough
Not when you achieve more. Not when more people notice you. Not when your birthday gets the attention you think it deserves. Right now. As you are. Reading this. You are enough.
2. Your Story Matters
Even if nobody asks about it. Even if it feels insignificant. Even if your birthday always gets overshadowed. Your story — your life, your struggles, your victories — it all matters. You matter.
3. Celebrate Yourself Unapologetically
Don't wait for permission. Don't wait for others to validate your special day. If it's your birthday — holiday or not — celebrate yourself. Buy that cake. Wear that outfit. Do that thing that makes you happy. No apologies needed.
4. The Right People Will Always Remember
You might not have 100 people at your party. You might not get flooded with posts. But the people who truly care? They will remember. And those few? They're worth more than a stadium full of people who show up out of obligation.
5. Your Worth Isn't Determined by Attention
In this social media age, we've been conditioned to believe that visibility equals value. It doesn't. Some of the most valuable people I know live quiet lives. Your worth is inherent. It doesn't increase with likes or decrease with silence.
6. Every Birthday Is a Miracle
You made it another year. Through the challenges, the pain, the uncertainties. You're still here. That alone is worth celebrating. Don't downplay your survival. Don't minimize your resilience. You're here. That's huge.
7. Your Best Years Are Still Ahead
I don't care if you're 15 or 55. I don't care if this birthday was rough or if you felt forgotten. Your best years are still coming. The celebration you've been waiting for? It's on its way. Keep believing. Keep showing up. Keep celebrating yourself.
"If nobody else tells you today: I'm proud of you. For surviving another year. For choosing to show up. For reading this article all the way through. For still believing that joy is possible. You're doing better than you think."
❓ Your Questions Answered
Make their birthday special BEFORE the holiday starts. If their birthday is December 24, celebrate it on the morning of December 24 before Christmas activities begin. Give separate birthday gifts and holiday gifts. Never combine them. Create a distinct birthday tradition that has nothing to do with the holiday — maybe a special breakfast, a family game, or a birthday-only decoration. The key is intentionality. Show your child that their birthday is its own special day, not an afterthought to the holiday.
No. It is not selfish to want to feel special on your birthday, regardless of when it falls. Wanting acknowledgment and celebration is a basic human need. The guilt you feel is often imposed by others who don't understand what it's like to have a holiday birthday. Your feelings are valid. You deserve to be celebrated. Period.
This depends on the relationship and your comfort level. For close friends and family, a gentle reminder is okay: "Hey, I know it's Christmas Eve, but it's also my birthday!" Most people will apologize and make it right. For casual acquaintances, it might not be worth the energy. Focus on the people who consistently remember and show up. Those are the relationships worth investing in.
Create a two-part celebration: 1) Do something meaningful on your actual birthday, even if it's small. Treat yourself to your favorite meal, buy yourself a gift, take a personal day off. 2) Host a proper birthday gathering in mid-January or whenever the holiday madness subsides and people are actually available. This way, you honor your actual birthday AND get a proper celebration with friends.
Shift your perspective from what you're missing to what you're gaining. Yes, you might get less individual attention. But you were born during a season of universal celebration, light, and joy. Focus on gratitude for the few people who DO remember. Celebrate yourself without waiting for others. And remember: your worth isn't determined by how many people sing happy birthday to you. These mindset shifts take time, but they work.
Yes! You were born during the most festive time of year — decorations, lights, music, and joy are everywhere during your birthday. You learn emotional resilience early. You develop the ability to find joy independently. You learn to value quality over quantity in relationships. You're forced to develop strong self-worth. And honestly, having the whole world lit up during your birthday season is pretty special once you change your perspective about it.
🎂 Final Thoughts: A Love Letter to My December 24 Birthday
Dear December 24,
For years, I resented you. I wished I was born on literally any other day. July 15. March 8. October 3. Anywhere but you.
I blamed you for every forgotten birthday. Every combined gift. Every party that never happened. Every year I felt invisible.
But today, as I write this at 35 years old, I want to say: thank you.
Thank you for teaching me that my worth doesn't depend on external validation. Thank you for showing me who my real friends are — the ones who remember even when the world is distracted. Thank you for forcing me to develop self-love at a young age.
Thank you for the small gestures I've learned to treasure. The single phone call that means more than 100 Facebook posts. The one friend who always, always remembers. My mama's lopsided birthday cake that she bakes every year despite the Christmas chaos.
Thank you for making me resilient. For teaching me that life doesn't revolve around me, and that's okay. For showing me that celebration can be quiet, personal, and still deeply meaningful.
I was born on December 24, 1990. Christmas Eve. And for the first time in my life, I can say without bitterness: I'm grateful for you.
To everyone reading this who shares a holiday birthday — December 24, December 25, January 1, Eid, Sallah, or any other major celebration — your feelings are valid. The struggle is real. But so is the strength you're building.
And to those of you with regular birthdays? Remember your friends and family members with holiday birthdays. Send that text. Make that call. Acknowledge their day separately from the holiday. It means more than you know.
Me? I'll be here on December 24, celebrating myself. With or without a crowd. With or without social media posts. With or without the attention I used to crave.
Because I finally learned the most important lesson: my birthday is special not because of who celebrates it, but because I exist. And that's enough.
With love and gratitude,
Samson Ese
December 24 Baby, Forever
💬 Did This Story Resonate With You?
If you have a holiday birthday or know someone who does, share this article with them. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone makes all the difference.
🗣️ Let's Talk About It
Do you have a holiday birthday? How has it affected you? What lessons have you learned? Drop your story in the comments. This is a safe space.
Discussion Questions:
- 💭 When is your birthday and how do you celebrate it?
- 🎂 If you have a holiday birthday, what's your biggest challenge?
- 💡 What advice would you give to someone feeling forgotten on their special day?
- ❤️ Who's that one person who always remembers your birthday?
- 🎉 What's the most meaningful birthday celebration you've ever had?
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