Those of us born on one of the other 364 days of the year likely agree that having a birthday on Christmas would stink. Think of all the presents you get jipped out of, right? All the focus is taken off of you and placed on the birth of (ahem) someone else. The handful of people I know born in December all mention fewer gifts and smaller parties, but for Anita Jenious, whose birthday is on December 25, she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Absolutely love it,” she says. “The whole world is decorated for your birthday, and no one ever forgets it.”

Everyone has disappointments. The secret is remembering the past, and trusting that the future will unfold as planned. A dear friend of mine once told me that if I wanted to hear God laugh, I would tell him my plans. And she’s right, at least in this case.