5 interesting facts about Russian birthdays

Happy Birthday in Russian

Everyone has heard about the Russian hospitality. It also manifests itself in the celebration of birthdays. In some cultures, it is customary to arrange a surprise party for the person whose birthday we are celebrating. In other places they celebrate in a modest family circle. In Russia, usually the birthday person itself prepares a party, which involves not only family and friends, but also often colleagues and/or classmates. Today we are telling you what other traditions are associated with the celebration of birthday in Russia.

When and where to celebrate

Since there are usually a lot of people invited to the holiday, the celebration is organized on the birthday itself or on the next date after so that most of the guests can attend. This is often the first day off after the date of the birthday.

You cannot congratulate in advance before the date of birth. This is considered a bad omen. But if you are the first to send a birthday greeting on the right day (in person or by phone), it will be remembered especially. The fortieth anniversary is not celebrated in Russia. This is also considered a bad omen.

The choice of a place to celebrate is not limited: some prefer to celebrate at home, others go to a cafe or rent a banquet hall if it’s an anniversary (round date), others go out of town and have a picnic with barbecue.

What to cook

A modest lunch is not characteristic of a Russian birthday. Someone people cook themselves, someone order ready-made food or invites guests to a restaurant, but in any case the treats will be plentiful. It doesn’t have to be something expensive, but abundance is important. If a working or school day falls on a birthday, it is customary to treat colleagues or classmates. At work, in response, the birthday person most often receives some kind of gift from colleagues.

And one of the main attributes of the main celebration will be a cake with candles in an amount equal to the age reached. A cake with lighted candles is brought into a dark room, the birthday person blows out the candles and at the same time makes a wish. It is considered that if you managed to blow out all the candles at once, then the wish will come true.

What they do to have fun

Russian birthdays

Just a feast is not enough. Having fun and playing different games is accepted not only at a children’s birthday party, but among adults as well. If the holiday takes place in a cafe or other place outside the house, then an entertainer or an animator are invited. Musicians are sometimes invited as well. If the scale of the celebration is not so large, then they come up with contests and games on their own. Of the most common: forfeits, “Crocodile”, musical battles. And there will definitely be dancing.

Another fun part is pulling the ears of the birthday person. You need to pull the birthday’s person ears as many times as years they are celebrating. On both ears at the same time! This happens most oftenly on children’s birthday parties.

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How to congratulate

In addition to just saying “Happy birthday!”, it is customary to give postcards with pleasant wishes and say toasts during the feast. When signing a postcard, try not to limit yourself to a simple greeting, add some sincere wishes. If you don’t know a person very well, then you can wish for health and money — this is always a great option.

Toasts most often begin with the words «Я желаю…» (I wish you…) and then everything that you want to wish to the birthday person on this day. It may also be some kind of story or an interesting case that connects you with the star of the show.

On children’s birthdays a song called «Каравай» is sung. Adults sing the Russian variant of the Happy Birthday to you song, «С днем рождения тебя!». Another popular song sung by people is the song from the cartoon Крокодил Гена и Чебурашка (Gena the Crocodile and Cheburashka) called «Пусть бегут неуклюже пешеходы по лужам…».

What presents to give

If you were invited to a birthday party, do not wait for an online wish list. You could ask the birthday person what they would like to receive by yourself, and then take into account their wishes. but you can ask the hero of the occasion what he wants to get, and take these tips into account. It is also appropriate to give money, especially for a specific purpose. If in doubt, buy flowers and sign a postcard with a nice message. Another good option is a gift certificate to a cosmetics, perfume, beauty salon, sports or fishing goods store, etc.

As for the flowers, there should be an odd number of flowers in the bouquet. An even number is intended for funerals. It is not yet customary to give yellow flowers to loved ones (meaning a bouquet of yellow flowers only), since this color is considered a symbol of separation.

Of course, there are people who prefer a modest celebration or do not celebrate their birthday at all. But even they will be pleased to receive at least a verbal congratulation to understand that they have not been forgotten.

Vocabulary on the topic «День рождения»

How to congratulate:

  • Я желаю тебе / Вам… — I wish you…
  • … удачи — … good luck;
  • … здоровья — … health;
  • … всего самого наилучшего — … best wishes;
  • … прожить до 100 лет — … reach a great age;
  • … исполнения всех желаний — … fulfillment of all desires;
  • … успехов во всех начинаниях — … success in all endeavors;
  • Прими мои самые искренние пожелания! — Accept my sincerest wishes!
  • Счастья и радости! — Be merry! Be happy!

Toasts:

  • За здоровье! — Cheers!
  • За именинника / именинницу! — To the birthday boy / girl!
  • За хозяйку этого дома! — To the hostess!
  • За родителей! — To the parents!

Other Vocabulary:

  • праздничный торт — birthday cake;
  • виновник / виновница торжества — male / female hero of the day;
  • Еще раз с днем рождения! — Again, Happy Birthday!
  • С прошедшим! — Happy belated!
  • задуть свечи — blow out the candles;
  • загадывать желание — make a wish;
  • приглашать гостей — invite guests;
  • Я хочу пригласить тебя на вечеринку в честь моего дня рождения — I want to invite you to my birthday party;
  • Время праздновать! — It’s time to celebrate!

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