Project Britain
Your Guide to
British Life, Culture and Customs
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How do children celebrate birthdays in England?
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Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England |
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We look forward to our birthdays for 364 days a year! The Presents Presents are opened as soon as the children are awake. They can't wait for the birthday cake later in the day! The Cards Friends and family send birthday cards. Sending birthday cards is a custom that began in England about 100 years ago. The Party The birthday child will have a party to which friends and family are invited. Visitors to the party bring presents for the birthday child. The children play games such as musical chairs and pass the parcel. The Cake The birthday cake is decorated on a theme. A candle for each year is lit and placed on top and the child blows out the candles making a wish. We don't put objects inside the cake as stated on many websites. The Bumps It used to be traditional for the birthday child to have the bumps. Friends would hold the child by the legs and under the arms and lift the child up and down bumping them gently on the ground. The number of bumps given is the age of the child plus one for extra good luck. As this can be dangerous, clapping is often done instead. School / Work Some children do take sweets into school to share with their classmates on their birthdays. Adults also take cakes into their work place to celebrate their birthdays.
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© Copyright 2011 Mandy Barrow
Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK