2 December 2006
Fascinating Festive Fact #2: One in twelve people have a birthday in December.
Cliff says:
Think about that for a second. That means if you know twelve people, the chances are that one of them will have their birthday in the same month as Christmas. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
I have my birthday in December, so if you know me, I'm that guy.
My birthday is actually same week as Christmas, on 22 December, which I kind of like. When I was a kid, it meant I was never at school on my birthday and I could upgrade my presents with a birthday/Christmas combo. Somehow, and to this day I can't explain it, Father Christmas got together with the Invisible Birthday Present Giant to arrange a slightly larger gift (although not twice as large, I hasten to add). I often took advantage of this. Somehow it seemed lucky and fair, and how often can you say that?
The story goes that I came home from the hospital on my first Christmas morning, which is more wholesome than the legend that I was conceived on my dad's birthday. I was always sceptical about this, but I now have living proof that it's probably true.
Seven years ago my dad was in France for his birthday, which is on 13 March. My wife and I were trying to decide if we should go down to see him, until we finally agreed. "Come on," I said, "We don't need an excuse. He's my dad and it's a fucking birthday." Little did I know she would take me literally, and nine months later my son was born a couple of days shy of my own.
So now he's upgrading his presents and I'm still upgrading and no one can afford Christmas, but it's one non-stop party at our house.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you don't want your kids to be born at Christmas, don't party with my dad.