Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday, the big 2-8.  For a little fun, I looked up different ways birthdays are celebrated around the world and wanted to include some of the things I found.

Children are not given homework or chores on their birthdays in Germany.  On a child's birthday the house is decorated, the dining table or kitchen has a special wooden birthday wreath placed in it. The wreath contains small holes for candles and a holder in the center for the lifecandle. This a taller candle and is beautifully decorated. This candle is lit each year of a child's birthday until they reach the age of twelve. Germany is the first country to offically celebrate birthdays with a party. 

In Holland, it is customary to decorate the chair at the dining table of the birthday boy/girl. Special birthdays (milestones as well as 5, 10, 15, 20 etc.) are called Crown Birthdays and bigger/better presents are given to honor the crown birthday.  A birthday "party" is normally celebrated between 8 and 9 pm and coffee and drinks are served. 

Hong Kong serves special noodles for lunch on a child's birthday.  The noodles are extra long to symbolize a long life.  This is also true in the Philippines, who also include balloons and pinatas.  Blinking, colored lights are strung up outside the home of the person celebrating his/her birthday. 

Picking someone up and flipping them upside down and bumping his head on the floor (the number of years = number of bumps) is done on a birthday in Ireland.  On the 21st birthday, the celebrant is given his own set of keys to the house.  This means the person is considered of age and may come and go as they please at any time. 

Egyptian birthday parties have two cakes, sesame sticks and lots of fruit to symbolize life.  Birthday parties are even held for one week old newborns with plenty of dancing and flowers.

In Ecuador a child may only receive a phone call or a card on their actual birthday as they celebrate their birthday on the day of the saint they are named after. Saints day parties are usually an afternoon tea party. The children are served raisin cake, fancy tea cookies, and hot chocolate. Like many spanish-influenced countries, the fifteenth birthday is especially important for a girl.

http://www.birthdaycelebrations.net/traditions.htm



http://www.kidsparties.com/traditions.htm
 
http://www.theholidayspot.com/birthday/traditions/