With all the gatherings and celebrations taking place during the holiday season, birthdays can get lost in the flurry of events. People who have birthdays this time of the year face an unusual set of circumstances.

Sophomore McKenzie McMullan’s birthday is on Dec. 19, and she enjoys spending her birthday during the holiday season.

“I don’t mind having my birthday around the holidays because it all kind of mashes together for one great time of the year,” McMullan said.

McMullan celebrates her birthday with her family. They go out to a restaurant of her choice for dinner and they get a cake to eat at home. As for senior Blake Schultz, he enjoys having his birthday on Dec. 14.

“I like having my birthday during the holidays because I like the spirit that everyone is in,” Schultz said.

On the other hand,  some people know what it’s like to have a birthday lost in holiday madness.

Sophomore Drew Franklin’s birthday is on Dec. 28, and he believes it’s harder to celebrate.

“I usually don’t get the chance to celebrate my birthday because everyone is celebrating Christmas and New Year’s, and they forget about my birthday,” Franklin said.

Having a birthday around this time is difficult for some people because a majority of their friends are visiting family for the holidays. With their absences, celebrating is difficult to plan. Although people are out of town over winter break, kids who have holiday birthdays can spend it with their family members.

“The time of year doesn’t make things harder because I like having Christmas coming after my birthday. I get to celebrate with my entire family and it’s not just a celebration that is only for myself,” McMullan said.

Just like McMullan, Franklin celebrates his birthday with family too.

“When I go to my relative’s for Christmas we celebrate it, usually on Christmas Eve,” Franklin said.

Franklin says he just likes to relax on his birthday since it’s right after Christmas. There are people with holiday birthdays that do want to celebrate but have limited ideas due to the snowy weather outside. Unlike summer birthdays, pool parties and outdoor barbeques are out of the question for winter birthdays in IL.

According to currentresults.com, the average temperature in IL is around 34-37 degrees Fahrenheit. With the chilliness that winter brings, birthday celebrations become restricted.    Celebrations in the winter can be enjoyable without the hot temperatures.

“The weather doesn’t really affect my birthday because I’m usually indoors anyway,” McMullan said.

Many people plan birthday celebrations early before the holidays happen. Schultz usually keeps his birthday celebration low-maintenance.

“At times it can be chaotic because of how busy everyone is, but celebrating my birthday isn’t my first priority. I usually just hang with friends,” Schultz said.

Suggestions for winter birthday celebrations vary. Taking a couple friends out for a dinner or riding the train downtown and spending the day shopping are just a few ideas to consider. Another suggestion is to go ice skating, or see a new movie. Even though winter birthdays don’t have the heat and pool avaliability, there are still fun activities to do.

“I enjoy the cold weather and usually whoever I celebrate with or how I celebrate is not something super eventful,” Schultz said.

In addition to planning a party, birthday gifts can be mixed in with other holiday gifts. It depends on the person, but some people recieve birthday gifts and holiday gifts, while others have their birthday gifts and holiday presents combined.

“I get all of my gifts on Christmas,” Franklin said.

Along with Franklin, McMullan is given some presents on Christmas.

“I get something from my parents on my birthday, but when we have the whole family get together for Christmas, my birthday presents from my aunts, uncles and other family members are all mixed in,” McMullan said.

Having a birthday during the chaotic and joyful holiday season is different from other birthdays.