reflection

THE TRADITION OF BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Birthday parties are always among the highlights of a child's year, but have you ever wondered how the tradition of birthday parties started?
The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would come to be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to prevent from the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began.
At first it was only kings who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration. A formal ball was planned and announcements were sent through the land. As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations. The first children's birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called Kinderfeste. As time went by, sending party invitations became more popular and now with the advent of the digital age you can even send photo party invitations with child’s photo on it.

Birthday traditions in some countries

China: The birthday child pays respect to his/her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.

Germany: A member of the birthday person’s family wakes up at sunrise and lights the candles on the birthday cake. There are as many candles as the years of age of the birthday person plus one for good luck. The candles are left burning all day long. After dinner everyone sings the birthday song and the birthday person blows out the candles. If all of the candles are blown out in one try then the wish of the birthday person will come true. Presents are then opened and the party starts.

Japan: The birthday child wears entirely new clothes to mark the occasion. Certain birthdays are more important than others and these are celebrated with a visit to the local shrine.

Russia: Instead of a birthday cake, many Russian child receive a birthday pie with a birthday greeting carved into the crust.

United States: A cake is made, and candles are put on top based on how old the person is. Then everyone sings the "happy birthday" song, and at the end of the song, the birthday child blows out the candles. If they blow them all out with one blow, their birthday wishes will come true.