Publix teams up with local hospitals to celebrate Christmas birthdays

LAKELAND, Fla. — The holiday season is usually a joyous time for many, but for people who also celebrate a birthday around this time, their big day can feel less than special.

According to a recent study by Publix, 62% of people born during the holidays say seasonal activities affect their birthday celebrations. To combat this, the grocer announced its new “Merry Birthday” campaign, which includes a line of Merry Birthday cakes and cards. Publix planned to deliver a cake to each parent welcoming a Christmas Day baby Thursday at Lakeland Regional Hospital.

It’s an initiative Lori Shay, Associate Vice President of Women and Children, said means a great deal to her and her patients.

“To be able to give a Merry Birthday cake to babies who are born on Christmas Day is just spectacular,” Shay said. “It’s really about our community and the way we can serve our community and celebrate with them with the birth of their babies.”

Christmas came early for Allison Short, a mother of three. Her gift? Her baby boy, Turner, who weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Short said her due date was Dec. 27, but she and her husband were happy when they realized Turner would be arriving a few days sooner.

“Just in time for him to be home for Christmas,” she said.

Short admitted she was concerned the holiday might overshadow her son’s birthday, but she said the celebrations won’t end once they leave the hospital.

“We’ll make it a point to have the 22nd be his own special day. We’ll make it all about him,” she said.

Publix’s campaign is expected to set the tone for future birthday celebrations. In a statement, Publix Director of Creative Mark Nielsen said:

“Everyone knows someone with a Christmas birthday who gets lost in the holiday shuffle. We immediately saw an opportunity for Publix to shine a light on this birthday and make everyone feel celebrated.”

Lakeland Regional is not the only hospital taking part in the Merry Birthday initiative. Publix also planned to deliver cakes to Tampa General Hospital and additional locations throughout its operating footprint.