Jacques' Birthday Party in France

by Jacques
(Paris, France)

I vividly remember my birthday celebrations in France. I live in the capital, Paris, so the parties are sometimes very flashy. The best part of every party was being surrounded by loved ones, playing games, talking, and enjoying food together.

On my birthday, I would walk in the door and the party would be waiting. I would get the typical happy birthday greeting of "Bon Anniversaire!" One tradition at my birthday parties was my mother always gave me a bouquet of flowers. Most of the time they were roses, but occasionally other types of flowers.

After the greetings, everyone would sit for an extravagant meal. We would toast to a new year of life and enjoy conversation over the meal. After, we would have dessert, usually a traditional fresh baked French cake. The guests would sing to me a traditional French "Happy Birthday" song:

"Bon anniversaire, nos vœux les plus sincères
Que ces quelques fleurs vous apportent le bonheur
Que l'année entière vous soit douce et légère
Et que l'an fini, nous soyons tous réunis
Pour chanter en chœur: "Bon Anniversaire!"

After the eating and singing were done, we would gather around out front of my house and talk and play games into the night. One of our favorites was backgammon, a game that is traditional in France and other countries.

My Birthdays in France were always special days. There was just that greater sense of togetherness with friends and family, than what there is today.