By Anissa Kennedy 
“That’s right, my secondborn will have mashed potato cakes every year for his birthday,” I say with a forced laugh, knowing exactly how cheesy I sound.
My husband and I didn’t exactly plan for a holiday baby, but here we are. Our due date is November 21st, so depending on the year, our son may often share a birthday party with the holiday of gratitude and pumpkin everything.
When people find out when we are expecting, the responses are usually mixed, like they’re unsure what to say. These statements range anywhere from a slightly sarcastic “Oh, that will be a busy time, nice planning!” to straight up, “Scorpios are intense!” to the somewhat-silver-lining-laced, “Well, at least you can just hibernate during the holiday week while everyone else celebrates.”
To be fair, people have all kinds of opinions about babies and birth, no matter the season. But I don’t recall as much variance with our April firstborn.
I admit, when we realized I was pregnant, it was a shock. Due to decreased progesterone, I was told my fertility chances were low. Once we narrowed down the due date for our little surprise miracle, we had a palm-to-face moment.
“Who wants to give birth during the holiday season?” That was my initial reaction.
But if you’re like me and a turkey isn’t the only thing you’ll have in the oven come Thanksgiving or Christmas, here are a few reasons having a baby during the holiday season may not actually be the worst.
1. (Totally Biased Opinion) Thanksgiving is the Best
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday—not as flashy and overdone like Christmas, not a worldwide holiday, and solely created on the idea of being thankful.
While we will have to endure the puns and the references to Thanksgiving traditions, our son really will be a huge reason we are extra thankful each time the holiday and his birthday coincide. No doubt about that. It will be our responsibility to help him see it that way as he gets older too.
2. Holiday Generosity
Between friends, family, church community, and decent neighbors, we are blessed to be surrounded by love and support. That spirit of generosity will likely be magnified during the holidays. Two words: comfort food.
I can see it now: I’m shushing my newborn in bed while snacking on all the lovely carbs my milk supply craves, like homemade pumpkin muffins, banana bread, pie, or mac and cheese.
Sure, some people travel during holiday time off or will be busy hosting, but there’s a perk in that as well. I won’t say no to someone simply dropping off a hearty meal and rushing off, leaving us to bask in our newborn bubble of unwashed hair and an unkempt home.
3. Location, Location, Location
In Phoenix, our average daytime temperature hovers in the high 70s during the winter months. Even though I personally love seasons, rain, and bundling up on a chilly day, my postpartum body looks forward to outdoor strolls with my infant and toddler.
With my firstborn, summer came upon us quickly, and I felt like a prisoner to our home’s AC. This time around, my busy toddler can get his wiggles out while his baby brother and I enjoy the scenery outside our four walls.
Also, can we consider hormonal night sweats for a moment? Tell me those aren’t the devil when all you want is to snuggle your newborn skin-to-skin. This year, I’ll have our windows open to the fresh autumn air to keep regulated.
For fellow mamas residing in a harsher winter climate, there’s still hope. Like the one comment I’ve heard repeatedly, you can rest while others work on all the stressful tasks holiday festivities bring. No one gets to tell you otherwise!
4. Keeping it Low Key
There’s something to be said for a less-hyped holiday. Despite the pressure from commercialism and Pinterest, we don’t HAVE to do all the things! Granted, this goes for any season of life, not just those of us in the thickest muck of motherhood.
Although moms are indeed the real makers of holiday magic, I have to remind myself that magic doesn’t always come from doing “more.” Not every day between Thanksgiving and New Year’s needs to be a scheduled entertainment session.
This year, I’m being realistic. I won’t have a choice.
While I navigate the familiar yet new feelings of being a mother again, recovering in mind and body, and learning a different routine with two boys two and under, I won’t have the energy for every holiday festivity, even if the desire is present.
I’ll be grateful, and probably a little amused, watching my husband and toddler put their own twist on decorations, start the crockpot with a freezer meal I prepped, or bake pre-cut Pillsbury cookies.
Hopefully, keeping the holidays chill will also mean less of a dent on our budget.
Bottom line: a baby born during a “-ber” month is a great reason to reassess our holiday expectations. Just because we always celebrate a holiday a certain way doesn’t mean change isn’t a good idea—and a new family member doesn’t necessarily mean traditions will change forever.
I keep telling myself it’s “not my season” for all the extras and to take birth, Thanksgiving, and the following holidays as they come without the pressure of how I think they are supposed to be.
One thing is for sure: this will be the most unique holiday season we’ve ever celebrated.
by Caitlin Van Hefty 
by Sarah Althouse 
