My second baby just turned ONE, and I honestly can’t believe how fast this year flew by. Having a baby born so close to Christmas is magical… and also a little tricky when it comes to celebrating. Between holiday travel, packed schedules, and Christmas overload, it can feel overwhelming to plan a birthday that still feels special and intentional.

This year, I leaned all the way in and hosted a “Merry Birthday” party: part birthday, part Christmas, and completely stress-free. If you have a December baby (or you’re hosting a birthday during the holidays), here’s how we made it festive, budget-friendly, and low-key without sacrificing the fun. I understand that as our baby girl gets older she won’t want her birthday to have anything to do with Christmas so we’re taking advantage of it while we can.

Lean Into What You Already Have

One of the biggest perks of a holiday birthday? The decorations and party supplies are already out and usually on sale.

Instead of fighting Christmas it makes sense to embraced it when appropriate. Our house was already decorated, which meant less setup and zero pressure to reinvent the wheel. I picked up a few extra holiday-themed plates, napkins, and goodie bags. Reds, greens, silvers, and whites work beautifully for a birthday celebration without feeling too “Christmas morning”. I also added in some pink to make it feel a little more “birthday festive”.

If you’re hosting around this time of year, this is your permission slip to reuse what you already own and save your energy (and budget) for what actually matters.

The “Merry Birthday” Theme

The Merry Birthday theme was the perfect blend of festive and celebratory. It felt intentional without being overdone, and it allowed the birthday to stand on its own while still feeling cozy and seasonal.

I kept the decor simple (holiday accents mixed with birthday details) and focused more on the atmosphere than perfection. At one year old, she doesn’t care about a theme… but she does love the balloons, the people, and the snacks.

Keep the Food Simple (and Catered)

I love hosting, but I also love not being exhausted. This year, I made a very intentional decision to keep food low-key and outsource what I could.

We had food catered from Panda Express and it was perfect. Everyone found something they liked, it fed a crowd easily, and I didn’t spend the day cooking instead of celebrating. Holiday birthdays don’t need a complicated menu especially when everyone already has rich food overload this time of year.

Affordable catering makes it easy to go into a party with less stress and for me personally it means I can be more present with our family.

Birthday Cake Without the Stress

You can also grab pre-made holiday desserts from the grocery store. Brownies, mini cakes, cupcakes, or festive cookies all work beautifully and save you time during an already busy season. And if baking brings you joy, absolutely make your own. Just don’t feel like you have to.

Design Eat Repeat’s cookie cake recipe is foolproof and is the one I used for our daughter’s cake.

Christmas Cookies as Party Favors

One of my favorite details from the party was using Christmas cookies as party favors. It felt festive, practical, and easy to send home with guests.

One of the cookies I made is from the 108 Asian Cookies cookbook, which made it feel extra special and personal. Cookies are such a natural fit for a holiday birthday. They double as dessert and favors, and they don’t require extra packaging or explanation.

If you’re hosting, this is an easy way to add something homemade without committing to a full dessert spread.

Keep It Low-Key (Especially for a One-Year-Old)

At the end of the day, first birthdays are more for the parents than the kids, and that’s okay. I intentionally kept the guest list to just immediate family and I kept the schedule flexible so the day didn’t feel rushed or overstimulating.

Final Thoughts

Hosting a birthday party during the holidays doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or overshadowed by Christmas. A Merry Birthday celebration is the perfect way to honor both without doubling your workload or budget.

If you’re planning a December birthday, my biggest advice is this:
Lean into the season, keep it simple, and give yourself permission to enjoy the moment.

These milestones go by so fast. I’m realizing the memories matter sooo much more than the details.