I have studied that the custom of celebrating the anniversary of one's birth had been present in many civilizations for centuries but disappeared for religious reasons after the advent of Christianity to only reappear in more recent times, spreading first among noble people and then among the rest of the population. In the 19th century, the celebration gained popularity in the Western countries and several customs emerged such as the use of candles on a cake and the birthday song.

Birthdays are a particularly important occasion for children, full of fun and surprises,but they can also become as stressful as organizing a wedding nowadays for the parents.
I have a six year old child and I attend birthday parties thrown by his peers at a rate of about one per month so I have been to a fair share of parties and I have enough experience and knowledge about this essential moment of socialization for Italian children.
Not only that, I've also organized parties for my son too.
The first thing I have noticed is that parties are no longer organized at home (not in our case but that’s another story).


Birthday Buffet

In the ‘80s friends would come over and play but now classes are larger, the guests are more and the expectations are higher.
There's a widespread business of nurseries, church parishes, play centers, day cares and theme parks which organize themed birthday parties for kids, offer services or rent out party rooms.
When it comes to food, when you arrive at a party, you will always find tables already set with a classic birthday buffet: focaccia and pizza slices, chips, mini sandwiches filled with ham or salami (or the sweet version with Nutella), tarts, donuts, fruit juices, water and soda.
Next to the buffet guests will find a marker with which to write their names on reusable cups and some disposable plates and cutlery - usually with a theme from some trendy cartoon or video-game.
Two or three entertainers hired for the day usually welcome the children and try to involve all the little ones in games to break the ice.
The range of games played is extraordinarily limited: the game with a large circular cloth that is moved simulating the waves in the sea with a hole in the middle for a ball to fall in, the game in which hoops are placed on the floor and the children have to climb into them when the music stops or yet the game which involves picking up objects scattered around the room as quickly as possible.
At times, children are encouraged to compete with the promise of a prize even though, in the end, everyone gets the prize.
The entertainment may include a choice of puppet theaters, magic tricks, a mascot of the birthday boy or girl's favorite characters, giant soap bubbles and face painting.
The best-equipped facilities will also have access to inflatables, trampolines, slides and rides.
There will also often be a pinata made of cardboard and filled with candies and chocolates for the kids to break and share.
Towards the end of the party the “Happy Birthday” song will play through the loudspeaker and It's the fateful moment when the birthday boy or girl will be ‘placed’ at the center of the attention and blow the candles on the cake (usually a fruit tart in the shape of the number of the years he/she is turning, a tiered fondant cake or a Nutella filled giant bread roll in the shape of the number of the years he/she is turning.


My son celebrating his 6th birthday
The birthday boy or girl will then finally unwrap the presents surrounded by guests chanting “Scarta la carta!” (‘Unwrap the paper’ which in Italian sounds nice because it rhymes).
Given the high number of guests, the child usually has about three seconds to see the gift received while one of the entertainers announces what it is and thanks the gift giver.
I tend to personalize a bit more my child’s party because I don’t like how commercial it has become but I must admit I am lucky to have a garden in which I can freely organize the event.


The pinata is a birthday favorite