Birthday Customs and Celebrations

In the United States, we have certain birthday customs and celebrations which involve lots of festivities. These rituals are especially important for children who most often times have expectations as to how their day is going to go. Usually there is a birthday party with friends or family. The house is decorated with balloons and streamers to make the atmosphere festive. There is a birthday cake with candles, and the amount of candles on the cake is supposed to be the same number as their age. The candles are lit, and after singing "Happy Birthday," the birthday person makes a silent wish and blows them out. Opening gift wrapped presents is usually the highlight of a child's birthday.

Birthday customs and celebrations vary from place to place. This is how it is done in other parts of the world:

In India it is customary for friends to hold up a male birthday person in the air by his hands and legs and kick or spank him on the buttocks. This is called the "Birthday Bump." The number of bumps given is supposed to be equal to his age, but usually the friends get carried away and do more. Young boys and girls bring chocolates to school for everyone to share.

In Denmark, a flag is flown outside of the house to point out that someone inside is having a birthday. Gifts are put around the child's bed while they're asleep so they'll see them as soon as they wake up.

It is customary for Puerto Rican children to get tapped on the arm; one tap for each year. There is usually a big party with a formal dinner celebration to honor the birthday person.

In Korea, there is a big birthday celebration for a child who turns one; this is called "tol."It consists of praying and giving thanks, making the brightly colored birthday clothes, preparing the table and performing the "Toljabee." Along with lots of food, thread, a brush, a Korean calligraphy set, pencil, book, money, bow and arrow, needle, scissors, and ruler, are spread out on the table in a ritual that will predict the child's future.

In Vietnam, everyone's birthday is celebrated on New Year's Day, or Tet. A baby turns one on their first Tet, no matter how many months old they are.

If you live in the United States and need a great birthday present, we suggest a nostalgic candy gift.