Roses and Ice Cream Cake

by Leslie
(Florida, USA)

Growing up, my family never really paid any attention to anyone's birthday. We had no traditions at all.

My significant other thought that was sad when I told him, so now he goes out of his way to make my birthday special. He always gives me a dozen red roses and an ice cream cake!

Pulling ears.

by Amelia
(FL)

I have no idea where this birthday tradition started or WHY, but it is something my mom has always done. During the birthday celebration, my mom pulls the birthday person's ears (GENTLY!) one time for each year of age they have achieved and then "one for good luck and one to grow on".

For example, for someone turning 10 years old, she pulls their ears 10 times (and counts out loud) and then does the "one for good luck and one to grow on." It's a fun tradition that everyone seems to expect and look foreword to (even the birthday person!)

Pensioners' Party

by Judith Rachmani
(Ramat Gan, Israel)

My husband is an enthusiastic amateur cook who likes to show off his culinary skills so, every year, as well as organizing a typical children's birthday party for our children, my husband throws a pensioners' party.

He bakes cakes, makes salads, prepares appetizers, finger foods and snacks, sets up a buffet table and invites all of the old age pensioners that he knows: elderly aunts, uncles, neighbors, etc.

The buffet table enables him to invite an unlimited number of guests which is necessary as many of the invited guests no longer drive so they attend the party with children or neighbors or friends who have driven them to the party. Even if they don't need a lift, the guests often bring along friends or neighbors to join in the fun.

Mother-Son Double Birthday Bash

by Jordan
(Los Angeles, CA)

My mom and I have very close birthdays. Hers is on June 25 and mine is on June 26 so every year we both cook each other an exotic meal. On the 25th I cook her something wild and the 26 she cooks for me. We sort of make it a two day birthday party blended into one!

And then we always make a half n half cake, half the side for me and the other half for mom. Therefore I think WE should win the prize money!! Because every year my mom and I have a kick-ass birthday!!

I love that cake Jordan!

mimosas and a view.

by april smith
(grass valley, ca, usa)

Every time someone in our group of girlfriends has a birthday we kidnap her and take her somewhere with a beautiful view and drink mimosas.

Ice Cream Birthday Breakfast

by Alice Johnson
(Albuquerque NM)

My name is Ali Johnson. I have 2 daughters Olivia and Drew.
Growing Up my family did not have many birthday traditions so I decided to incorporate some for our kids.

Every Birthday the tradition is an Ice cream Breakfast for the family!! The Girls get to choose which flavors of Ice Cream they would like on their Birthday morning. Mom and Dad get Ice cream too. Something my husband Tom never passes up. They also get to choose from as many toppings as possible. The breakfast Ice cream bar itself is fun and a real treat.

Usually the bowls are spilling over with a smorgasboard of ice cream and toppings!! And the family is all geared up for an active maybe hyper day!!

"My Great Birthday Tradition"

by Susan Wiener
(Spring Hill)

For every member of my family, I make a photo booklet of special times and write captions for them.

Then I write poems and memories we've shared. It's always a big hit and they in turn, do that for me.

It's given to them on their birthday and they have it to share anytime they want to get nostalgic.

A card from my dad

by Julia Davis
(AIken, SC, USA)

Every year my dad mails me a card with $50. The money isn't what I love about the card. My dad has MS and over the years he's lost the ability to really use his hands. He can no longer sign checks or write much. He has always written a message to me inside the card.

Over the years as his disease has gotten worse he has had to dictate the note and my step mother writes it, but he ALWAYS signs "DAD" at the bottom. I know this is hard for him to do, and his handwriting is that of a 5 year old.

I save every one of those cards, because I know someday he won't be around and I'll miss seeing "DAD" on my birthday card.
It makes me cry every year when I get the card.

A Christmas Carol Birthday!

by Cindy Merrill
(Owls Head NY)

On my first date with my husband, he took me to see "The Christmas Carol" on my birthday, Dec.5, at a live theatre, and it was a great play!

So now, every year, if "A Christmas Carol" isn't on TV or at a theatre, we rent a few versions! One of my favorites is the Muppet Christmas Carol, which is also a great one to watch when my Grandkids visit.

Bells...

by Arpeeta Bhatia
(Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)

At midnight, as sooon as the clock strikes twelve... my mom rings a big bell to usher the good in the coming years and warns off the bad...

Also, since its cake cutting time, it adds in to the rhyme and cheerful feelings around.. a big gong doing bong bong!!!! :)

Birthday Cake

by MB
(Maine)

Once I got married, we started a birthday tradition of my husband baking a birthday cake for me and I would bake a birthday cake for my husband.

cake face

by shayla holliday
(ontario)

Every year my grandparents would buy me the ugliest cake ever and just as i went to cut it they would push my face in it but they would always have a back up cake and this one would be a nice cake. and thats my family tradition its happend since i was 2 and now im 14 in July.

Birthday All Day

by Veronica

I spread out the birthday so it lasts all day long.

There's a special breakfast of favorite foods served at a festively set table, and a small gift or card.

Lunch may be out, or shared sandwiches, with another small gift.

Late afternoon is the "party" and its flavor will differ depending whose birthday it is. This is the time for the birthday cake and major present and again, special decorations.

It's a great way to make the Birthday Person feel special and cared for all day long!

Birthday Tradition

by Brandy Smith
(goodwell ok usa)

From age 1 to age 30, birthday cakes and as you grow pics along the walls of the house. Friends and family all around its family tradition. Cook out or dinner followed by a home made cake from mom. Then gifts.

This same thing I go for my own child but added a few games with prizes for other kids. Plus she dresses up always a big deal , a birthday party. Always a different theme. But always so fun.

I hope my children follow in the same traditions that my mother and grandmother still do. I know every year each of us contribute something old with the something knew. But the one thing that will always be is a home made cake ....
Thats the special touch ..... LOVE

CAKE IN YOUR FACE !

by Rylee
(FL)

So every year no matter who's birthday it is, or how old your turning, someone in the family takes the honor of putting the birthday girl/boy's CAKE IN THEIR FACE!

It could happen to the birthday girl/boy at anytime, but every time it gets them! Its the best thing about my bday! I actually look forward to it, hoping I actually catch them! but I haven't yet! :)

Carousel

My daughter loves the carousel so every year for her birthday, we take her to a carousel at a nearby mall. We shop, have lunch, and she rides the carousel a few times.

Crazy Birthday Song

by Kate
(Philadelphia PA)

You haven't been sung Happy Birthday until its from you're true Family. My family has a loud, ear aching happy birthday song that is one of a kind.

You know you're back at home and surrounded by birthday joy when you hear the one and only, loud and off key song.

Everyone Blows out the Candles

by Sandy
(Summerville, SC)

Once the birthday boy or girl blows out the candles on the birthday cake (one for every year, obviously), the candles are lit repeatedly until everybody at the gathering has had a go.

Particularly on birthdays for elder members of the family, the candles are frequently melted into the cake by the time everybody has had a go.

alms giving to orphanage

by dayawansa
(rome italy)

We as srilankan mainly Buddhist look at our bithdays in different view because every birthday you passes ,closes to your death by one year and we mainly concentrate in offering foods and cloths to needy like children in orphanage and elders at home for the elders. of course there are grand birthday celebrations also arranged by some for their relatives and friends.

That's such a rewarding way to mark a birthday, thank you for sharing