Happy Birthday! The Origin of the Birthday
Party
Article about babies birthday from All About Baby: your source for
baby gift baskets and baby keepsakes
Birthdays are considered happy occasions when we celebrate a person’s
special day with gifts, sweets, parties and good cheer. However, looking
back into history, birthdays were not always seen as a festive day.
In
Europe many thousands of years ago, a person’s birth-day was seen as a
fearful experience. Common belief was that bad spirits could harm the
person on the anniversary of his or her birth. A way to keep the evil
spirits at bay was to surround oneself with family and friends, who often
brought small gifts or food to share.
At
these protective gatherings, people would use crude noisemakers to scare
off the evil spirits lurking about. The custom of lighting candles and
torches also began. In these days, most people believed that gods lived
in the sky and a fire light that is later extinguished would send a sign
to these gods.
Birthday celebrations began to take on a more positive tone during the
Middle Ages, but they were still very rare and usually only celebrated by
royalty or the very wealthy. During the Reformation, the recognition of
one’s birthday began to be more common.
During this period, the English people began making cakes for the birthday
person, often hiding coins, rings and thimbles inside.
The
concept of children’s birthday celebrations was thought to have first
started in Germany and the day was called Kinderfeste.
Over
the centuries, birthdays have evolved from simple events with token
presents and good wishes to a significant annual event in people’s lives.
Most people now celebrate with a party of some type – especially for
children. Sometimes birthday parties can be lavish events, these usually
taking place for adults on what is considered a “milestone” birthday,
reached at age 18, 21, 30, 40, 50 and the decades beyond.
What are
the most common birthday traditions in the western world?
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Birthday cakes with lighted candles are very popular
for people of all ages, but children especially delight in making a wish
and blowing out candles.
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In most English-speaking countries, singing “Happy
Birthday to You” traditionally takes place as the cake is
presented. In fact, this simple melody is thought to be the most
frequently sung in the world.
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Most people receive gifts on their birthday, and young
children usually have a party with their friends on or around their
special day. At the party, the kids are entertained with games and
activities. Teens or adults are sometimes thrown surprise parties by
family members or significant other, although it is often difficult to
keep the party a true surprise.
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A “Golden Birthday” takes place when someone turns the
same age as the day he or she was born. For instance, someone turning
27 on May 27 will celebrate a golden birthday.
-
People born on February 29, officially only have a birthday
every four years. However, they usually celebrate the day before or
after.
Coming of Age Birthdays
In
the Jewish faith, the boys have a bar mitzvah on or around their 13th
birthday. Jewish girls observe the bat mitzvah on or around their 12th
or 13th birthday.
Latin
America culture has a quinceanera celebration for a girl’s 15th
birthday.
Girls
in the United States have sweet 16 birthday parties, although this
tradition has been waning somewhat in recent years.
In
some Asian countries, a child’s 14th birthday is considered a
milestone as society considers it the day one becomes a man or a woman.
In
Christian churches, certain ages coincide with religious events, such as
first communion or confirmation.
Teens
usually are considered legal adults at age 18, earning them certain rights
and responsibilities.
Some
African countries hold initiation ceremonies for groups of
children. When children reach certain ages, they learn the laws, customs
and beliefs of their tribes. In South Africa, a key is presented
on the 21st birthday to signify the person is ready to unlock
the door to their future.
In
Vietnam, Tet is the beginning of a New Year, and it is also the day in
Vietnam that is celebrated as everyone’s birthday. The Vietnamese do not
acknowledge the exact day a person is born, so a baby turns one on Tet no
matter when it was born. On the first morning of Tet, adults congratulate
children on becoming a year older by presenting them with red envelopes
containing lucky money.
Birthday Celebrations Around the World
It’s
fascinating to read about how birthdays are celebrated in countries around
the world. Many countries do have a cake, song, birthday candles and
gifts, but often there is a little something that will set the day apart
from other cultures. Here is a sampling.
Canada –
On the Atlantic side of Canada, the birthday child has his or her nose
greased for good luck. The Scottish tradition says that a greased nose
makes the child too slippery for bad luck to catch them.
Argentina
– When girls turn 15 in Argentina, they have a huge party and dance the
waltz with their father and other boys.
China –
Birthday children in China receive a gift of money and they are the guest
of honor at a lunch party where noodles are served for good luck.
Denmark
– In Denmark a flag is flown outside to show that someone who lives in the
house is celebrating a birthday. Presents are placed around the child’s
bed while they are sleeping so they will see them immediately upon
awakening.
Ireland
– The birthday child is lifted upside down and “bumped” on the floor
(gently, we hope!). One extra bump is given for good luck.
England
– Bumping is also traditional in England, but the person is merely lifted
in the air rather than turned upside down. At the end, the “lifters” say
“one for luck, two for luck and three for the old man’s coconut!” The
birthday person also receives an English fortune-telling cake complete
with coins or other significant trinkets baked into the cake. Whatever
the birthday person receives in his or her slice will predict their
future.
India –
Colorful clothes are usually worn by the birthday person in India.
Children, for example, will wear colorful clothes and hand out chocolates
to classmates.
Italy –
Ouch! School age children have their ears pulled as many times as how old
they are turning.
Russia –
Unlike western culture, in Russia it is traditional to have a birthday pie
rather than a cake. Often a child will have a special birthday message
carved into the crust.
Germany
– There are several birthday celebrations that have become traditions
throughout Germany. First, the birthday candles are lit at sunrise and
then left burning for the entire day. After dinner, everyone sings a
birthday song and then the candles are finally blown out. Presents are
then opened and a party begins. Another tradition is that men are often
required to sweep the stairs of their city hall when they turn 30. If
they have no girlfriend on this important birthday, the single male must
sweep the stairs while his friends throw rubble.
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