Birthdays typically involve cake, gifts and parties. But when your birthday happens during the holidays, the celebration often gets stuck between other seasonal gatherings like cookie swaps, decorating events and parties.

"I have had a constant struggle with making my birthday feel special apart from the holidays," says Jenna Lessner, a wellness coach who turns 35 on Dec. 19.

Other December babies have a similar feeling.

Lellie Capwell says, "My birthday's Dec. 26, and it's the worst birthday ever." She has birthday rules for her friends and family including no birthday presents wrapped in Christmas paper, no combo birthday and Christmas gifts, and always having birthday cake. "Leftover dessert from Christmas Day is an insult," she says.

For Janet Ritter, December birthday festivities have always been shared. "My mother spent her 40th birthday -- Christmas Day -- in the hospital giving birth to me," she says. "I arrived a few minutes after midnight, making my birthday Dec. 26." The 58-year-old says it's a rare treat to receive a "happy birthday" message from friends since everyone is typically preoccupied with their own celebrations. The good news is a birthday party with family is "practically guaranteed."

Here's how to make holiday babies feel special and properly celebrated this season.

*Keep It Separate

Holiday birthdays and the holidays themselves should be separate but special occasions. Well-intentioned actions such as writing "happy birthday" inside a Christmas card or offering to celebrate a December birthday in January, when it's not as busy, can leave a bad impression and make the birthday boy or girl feel left out. Also, have a separate birthday cake, not just a Christmas dessert. Make sure the cake doesn't have reindeer, trees or poinsettias, or traditional Christmas colors like red and green.

*Presents

Instead of giving one combined gift, give a birthday gift and a Christmas gift. Use nonseasonal gift wrap, too, avoiding red, green, gold and silver paper, bows and gift bags.

Consider giving the bigger or more substantial gift as the birthday present. "Christmas presents always were plentiful, but there would be one extraordinary birthday present," says Ritter, noting she received one share of Disney stock on her 13th birthday. Other keepsake gifts included a silver jewelry box and gemstone rings for milestone birthdays such as sweet 16, 18 and 21.

*Special Time

While the holiday calendar fills up fast, be sure to prioritize a loved one's December birthday over other holiday gatherings. Don't combine a holiday party with a birthday party. Plan ahead, and let family and friends know early on to ensure they can make it.

"Plan something special for them on their actual birthday," says Lessner. "This goes a long way because in the midst of holiday parties, it's easy to be forgotten."

*Leave It to Them

Whether those with a holiday birthday are kids or adults, ask how they want to spend their day. They may go for dinner and cake at home, or a night with friends. If you celebrate at home, choose an area that has little to no holiday decor, or decor that can be temporarily moved.

Experiential gifts like rock climbing, ice skating or a show are memorable ways to celebrate during the holiday hustle and bustle, though options may be limited this year due to the coronavirus. A simple celebration could be had on the actual birthday, with a bigger get-together planned for a later time. But that decision needs to be made by the birthday girl or boy.

No matter how you celebrate, focus on birthday fun! Be thoughtful and open up conversation so you can make the most of holiday birthdays.