Canadian Family Birthday

by Jonathan
(Milton, Ontario, Canada)

My family's birthday traditions are quite simple but memorable. The Sunday of your birthday week, the entire family gets together for a big Sunday dinner, with the birthday boy or girl choosing the entire menu. This is always fun when the younger ones pick.

When my niece was turning 6, we had a nice mix of hot dogs and lobster. We spent hours eating and drinking, and even the little ones had a little mixture of wine and coke.

Then the birthday cake comes out, and everybody sings "Happy Birthday." There are a corresponding number of candles on the cake relating to how old the person is. They make a wish and try to blow out all of the candles.

After cake, it is time to open presents. Even though our family is well off, we try to choose thoughtful gifts instead of extravagant ones.

After presents, the kids spend time playing typical North American birthday party games, such as 'pin the tail on the donkey' or bobbing for apples. If the birthday boy or girl is quite young, then before dinner we have more entertainment. We sometimes hire a clown or a magician for the kids, or rent a petting zoo for all of the family to enjoy.

All in all, birthdays in my family centre around being together and enjoying each others' company. And although this takes place on Sunday of the week, on the actual birth date the immediate family goes out for a special dinner. Again, the menu is chosen by the birthday boy or girl.