The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Two generations of Christmas babies
Leigh-ann (Byrne) Payne of Mount Pearl, N.L., has, among her mementos, a black and white copy of the front page of The Telegram highlighting the first baby born in the province on Christmas Day in 1978.
Her parents, Cheryl and Tom Byrne, and five-year-old sister, Tracy, are also in the picture.
“I was given to my parents in a stocking, instead of being wrapped in a blanket. (Former premier) Joseph R. Smallwood sent flowers to the hospital when I was born,” Payne said.
Decades later, Payne and her husband Chris welcomed their own Christmas baby into the family. Jazmyn turns 13 on Christmas Eve. She was also given to her parents in a red Christmas stocking.
When she celebrated her birthday as a child, Payne said, her special day was always overshadowed by the excitement of Christmas Day.
“I got cheated big time. My daughter never will,” she said lightheartedly.
All of her gifts were wrapped in Christmas paper and one might also include a Christmas card with happy birthday written on it, Payne laughed.
Her birthday cake? A traditional Christmas log cake.
Christmas is a busy time for all parents, Payne said, and although her mother often planned a party for her, most children could not attend because of the hustle and bustle of the season.
While her birthday wasn't a big celebration when she was a child, Payne said it was an exciting time for her family, with Santa bringing the tree every year.
“My parents love Christmas, my dad especially. We never missed a parade. We would always drive around looking at lights. Dad always had the outside of our home decorated, including a plastic Santa by our chimney. We also never missed Christmas Eve mass,” she said.
Every Christmas morning after she and her sisters opened their gifts, the family would head next door to their grandparents' house.
“All the family would gather there: aunts, uncles, and cousins. Every single year, my uncle, Art Rice, would call me to the side, whisper ‘Happy birthday,' and give me all the change in his pocket. He never forgot me.”
NEXT GENERATION
Jazmyn is the oldest of Payne and her husband's five children. Knowing how it feels to have a birthday on Christmas Day, Payne has always gone out of her way to ensure the family celebrates her daughter's Christmas Eve birthday to the fullest.
It's important for Jazmyn to feel special on her birthday, she said.
“Each Christmas Eve, we invite all of our family over for dinner and cake. Once they leave, we gather the kids and head outside to sprinkle reindeer food on our lawn. Before bed, the kids put out their homemade cookies and milk for Santa, along with carrots and apples for the reindeer. Upstairs, we will gather around and read The Night Before Christmas before we tuck them in for the night.”
Because of the way the family makes a big deal of Jazmyn's Christmas Eve birthday, Payne said her daughter loves that she was born so close to Christmas Day.
While the family celebration is a big event, Payne said, Jazmyn also looks forward to planning her birthday party with friends — which takes place in early January.
Christmas is a big celebration for the Payne family, who live in Paradise, N.L.
“I love Christmas. Christmas movies and themed treats ... baking Christmas cookies together and driving around town looking for the homes with the best light display,” Payne said.
Five children waking up on Christmas morning means a lot of squeals of excitement, she said.
“The joy in their eyes as they rush to the tree makes my heart want to burst. After gifts, I make a huge, fun, themed Christmas breakfast, which always includes themed pancakes and candy cane hot chocolate. We head to my parents' every year for turkey dinner.”
When asked if she has any suggestions to share with other parents who have Christmas babies, Payne said they should ensure at least part of their day is reserved for the birthday child.
“Have birthday parties after Christmas to get a better turn out. Never use Christmas wrap or cards in place of birthday paper ... It's the little things that make the child feel special,” she said.