Chinese First Birthday Tradition

by Jayna
(China)

On the first birthday party of my daughter Julie, I invited neighbors, relatives, and friends to the celebration. Her cake was a beautiful, pink-colored, three-step cake with flowers to match the pink new dress she was wearing.

Julie felt a little uncomfortable on seeing many people at the party, and she cried all the while she was cutting the cake.

We played a familiar game to make her feel comfortable: A basket full of items such as pen, book, coin, camera, and ball was placed in front of her. The thing which she selects will predict her profession ... this is one of our traditional beliefs. The first thing Julie touched was the book.

Chinese custom is for the first birthday to be celebrated when the child turns two years old (in other countries it is called the second birthday). From that time, one year will be added with every Chinese New Year celebration. This system of counting the years can be very confusing. So commonly, we will celebrate all the family members’ birthday on New Year's day.

We arranged for a good feast for everyone on the day of the party. Traditional morning fare of longevity peaches, red-dyed eggs, and sweet rice noodles were given to the friends and relatives. One of the traditional customs is that we never cut the noodles short, and even try to eat without biting them, since they represent longevity.

My friends who attended the party gifted Julie with many beautiful things. It is an old custom that parents present the child with gold for the first birthday. I gave her a ring.

When we celebrate her third birthday, those who attend will bring a gift made of silver.