Birthday customs and celebrations facts for kids
Birthdays are special days when we celebrate the day someone was born! Around the world, there are many fun and unique ways people celebrate. From yummy cakes to exciting parties and special gifts, birthdays are a time for joy and traditions.
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Birthday Cakes: Sweet Celebrations
A birthday cake is a big part of many birthday celebrations. These cakes are usually decorated beautifully. They often have lit candles on top, with the number of candles showing how old the person is. The birthday person might make a secret wish before blowing out all the candles. It's also common for the birthday boy or girl to cut the first slice of the cake. This is a bit like how a newly married couple cuts their wedding cake. The person celebrating their birthday usually gets to enjoy the very first piece!
Birthday Parties: Fun with Friends
In many countries, especially in places like the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia, birthday parties are full of bright decorations. You might see colorful balloons and streamers everywhere! A birthday cake is almost always served, often with candles to blow out after making a wish. While the cake is brought out, guests often sing the famous song "Happy Birthday to You". Sometimes, families might even hire a special company to help organize a big birthday party.
Children's birthday parties can be held at home or at a public place. Guests often enjoy soft drinks, water, and lots of yummy sweet and savory snacks. Games, costumes, and a fun theme are common at kids' parties. For adults, birthday parties are often held at restaurants, bars, or nightclubs, or at home. Gifts are usually given to the person celebrating their birthday.
In Israel, there's a unique birthday tradition for young children. In kindergarten, the child sits on a decorated chair. Their friends then lift the chair into the air several times. They lift it once for each year of the child's age, plus one extra lift "for the next year"!
Birthday Presents: Special Gifts
Besides parties, it's very common for people to get gifts on their birthday. Popular gifts include toys, books, jewelry, clothes, and cool new gadgets. Gift cards or money are also common. While younger kids might not be thrilled with socks or underwear, even if they have their favorite characters on them, gifts are always a nice surprise!
Sometimes, the person celebrating their birthday treats their guests instead. This depends on the local culture. It might involve giving small party favors to guests. Or, the birthday person might invite everyone to a restaurant or bar. Some places even offer special birthday programs!
In South Africa, birthdays are celebrated in a very big way. In towns or townships, everyone is invited, no matter their age! Large white tents are often set up in yards. These tents show that a huge celebration is happening. Birthday presents can range from toys to even animal sacrifices, depending on the family's traditions.
Birthday Greetings: Songs and Cards
In most English-speaking countries, it's a tradition to sing the song Happy Birthday to You to the person celebrating. Similar "Happy Birthday" songs exist in many other languages around the world. This song is a common way to greet someone on their birthday. People also give birthday cards and say "Happy Birthday" or "I wish you a Happy Birthday."
Birthday Traditions: Playful Fun
Some countries have playful traditions that involve a bit of harmless fun.
In places like the UK, Ireland, Canada, and India, there's a tradition called "the bumps." Friends and family gently hold the birthday person by their arms and legs. They then playfully lift them into the air and gently lower them. This is done once for each year of their age, plus one extra "for luck." This tradition is usually for children, as grown-ups become too heavy!
In French-speaking Canada, the U.S., and Australia, a similar tradition involves "birthday taps." The birthday person receives a number of very light, playful taps, equal to their age. Often, one extra tap is given "for luck." In some places, instead of a tap for luck, the person might get a gentle pinch "to grow an inch."
In Brazil, Hungary, Argentina, and Italy, it's a tradition to gently pull the birthday person's earlobes. In Hungary, while pulling the earlobes, people might wish the person a happy birthday. Or, they might say a rhyme that means, "God bless you, live so long so your ears reach your ankles!"
Another tradition, mostly for children, involves very light, playful "birthday pats" on the bottom. These pats are given gently, not to hurt, but just for fun. The child receives the same number of pats as their age, often with one extra pat "to grow on." This tradition is usually for children under 16.
In Mexico and Venezuela, a common custom is to playfully try to push the birthday person's face into the cake after they blow out the candles. This can sometimes make a bit of a mess with the cake!
These playful traditions are all about adding more fun and laughter to a birthday celebration!
Images for kids
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A child's birthday celebration, complete with cake
