My French Birthday Parties

by Jamie
(Wasilla, Alaska, United States)

I currently live in the US, but was born and grew up in France, just outside of Paris. Having celebrated many birthdays in both countries, I can give a comparison.

The celebrations are very similar, and this is more due to traditions in my own family, rather than a major difference in national cultures.

The same festive birthday party is enjoyed by children in both America and France: friends gather and share desserts, treats, and sweet drinks, they play games and sing songs. The house is decorated with gay balloons and flowers.

But for most Americans, birthday cake is the customary main dessert. However, in France we celebrate with more traditional french pastries, cream puffs, mille feuilles, brioches, and small cakes. Often these are catered from the local French patisserie.

As for me personally, I grew up with a florist for a mother. So, I had a passion for roses early on! My twin brother started a family tradition of spelling out "Happy Birthday!" - in roses - outside my window every morning on our birthday.