13 fascinating facts about people born in December

A study published in the Journal of Aging Research reports that people born in December are more likely to live to 105 — or even longer. Their birthdays may be late in the year, but they have a lot of them!

Some people think it's a disadvantage to be one of the youngest kids in the class, but studies show that, by the time they graduate, younger students outperform older peers in the same grade.

Perhaps it has something to do with being born in a month where it gets dark at 4 p.m., but research has found that people born in December are more likely to enjoy going to bed early and waking up early. December-borns are getting stuff done while the rest of us are still getting our coffee.

A study out of the University of Vienna shows that men born in November, December, and January are more likely to be left-handed. Moms of winter girls don't have to start stockpiling the left-handed scissors, though: Women born in those same months don't show the same bump in left-handedness.

Researchers in the U.K. reported in the Journal of Family Health that they found a statistical link between birth month and certain professions. According to that study, December-borns were more likely to become dentists. Smile!

According to a study in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, those born in the winter months, especially December, have natural athletic capabilities — and a handful of Olympic gold medals to prove it. Two medalists from the Fierce Five, Mckayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas, were born in December.

Although December-born people are more prone to depression and pessimistic attitudes, they generally have fewer mood swings and temper tantrums.

Because December is the month of Christmas, Kwanza, and Hanukkah, one-third of people born in December feel their birthday is overlooked. On top of that, 27% of people commented that their gifts are often wrapped in Christmas paper — but, surprisingly, that doesn't bother them. Moral of the story: If you have a friend or family member with a December birthday, don't forget to make a big deal out of their birthday this year (and every year after that).

There's a big group of actors and musicians who were also born in December, including Brad Pitt, Taylor Swift, Denzel Washington, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Notable journalists and talk show hosts born in December are Diane Sawyer, Ryan Seacrest, and Meredith Vieira.

At least when it comes to jewels. Their birthstones cover a wide-range of bright blue shades, including turquoise, tanzanite, and topaz.

December babies get two beautiful birth flowers. The holly, known for sprucing up holiday décor, symbolizes wishes for domestic happiness. (We see you, December homebodies.) While narcissus, more commonly known as daffodils, are in full bloom during the spring, paperwhites are also popular flower throughout the holiday season. They are said to symbolize winter's end and new beginnings — perfect for the start of the new year.

Those born through December 21 are Sagittarius, while those born after December 22 are Capricorns. Sagittarians are known to be extremely generous, idealistic, and downright hilarious. Capricorns, on the other hand, are responsible, disciplined, and masters of self-control. Sagittarians also tend to be more extroverted and outgoing, while capricorns are more composed.

The ultimate way to celebrate a December baby's birthday is with a plane ticket and an adventure. Zodiac followers say those born under Sagittarius in particular love to travel and explore different cultures.