A Birthday Makeover

In my family, birthdays aren’t just a celebration—they’re an event. Each one is marked by a special cake and an array of thoughtfully chosen presents. The anticipation and planning begin weeks in advance, making every birthday a memorable and unique experience.

Mom loves Shaum Tortes with sweetened, crushed strawberries and whipped cream. Kadon experiments with new flavors—last year, he created a matcha-strawberry cake with frosting and vanilla ice cream. My sister and husband have a love-hate relationship with their joint birthday celebrations. Luka and Grandma Blu share a birthday and enjoy an annual private dinner date.

Then there’s me. My birthday falls six days before Christmas. Mom loves my birthday, saying it marks the true beginning of the holidays for her.

But for me, tt always felt like an extra event crammed into the holiday season. People are busy with shopping, events, and Christmas preparations. I always envied Michelle’s birthday in May. She got fun winter toys and clothes for Christmas and fun summer toys and clothes for her birthday.

One year, in my late twenties, I decided to take control of the event. We would skip celebrating my day in December and instead party on my half-birthday—the 19th of June!

So, that year, December 19 passed without much fanfare.

I eagerly looked forward June 19. However, as the date approached, no one seemed excited or in the mood to honor my new special day. Other things got in the way—baseball games, lawn mowing, weekend events, and garden tending. My birthday was the least of their worries. Most importantly, my mom wasn’t in the mood to celebrate my half-birthday. So, the whole vibe of the day felt forced.

It was the first and last time we celebrated anyone’s half-birthday.

Over the past few years, we have added to our holiday traditions. We’ve begun a holiday painting event and decorating gingerbread houses. But the most important tradition has been—and continues to be—decorating Christmas cookies. This is where the story takes a happy twist.

We have paired our cookie decorating with my birthday! Now, everyone comes to my house. We have a meal together and enjoy my favorite cake that Michelle makes—angel food with Grandma’s special “slippery” frosting and vanilla ice cream. I open a few presents, and the rest of the evening is dedicated to frosting and sugaring cookies.

No longer do I feel like an inconvenient afterthought in the holiday season. Now, I’m thrilled to gather everyone together for a celebration that’s not just about me, but about us as a family.