Ronni
Well-known Member
- Location
- Nashville TN
Because all but one of my children live close by, and because I've done it all their lives, we still celebrate everyone's birthdays as a family, regardless of whatever else they might individually do for their birthday.
Our tradition is that we all get together for dinner, and the birthday "child" gets to pick the menu, which can be whatever they want. It's always some combination of food that I used to cook when they were little. Mum's spaghetti, mushroom chicken, burrito surprise, macho nachos, meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy, mushroom burgers with swiss cheese, broccoli casserole...these are some of the most requested items.
They also get whatever dessert they want as their "birthday cake." Sometimes it's my cheesecake, or bread pudding. Apple pie. Banana bread. One time it was even just a tub of coffee ice cream! Whatever it is, at the end of the dinner meal, we put a few candles in it and sing happy birthday. There are usually a couple of presents to open, and then we might play a game or two.
Mostly it's just family, though the birthday person can invite whomever else they want. There are the grandkids of course, and often one of the grandkids will want to invite a friend or two. Just with family ... kids and grandkids...there are typically 15+ people.
The tradition has extended now to the spouses of my kids who want to celebrate their birthday the same way. And now a couple of the older grandkids are getting into it, wanting a dinner just like Mom or Dad has...even though I always do something with the grandkids individually for their birthday. It's getting out of hand lol!!!
What about you? Any particular traditions surrounding the way you celebrate birthdays for your kinfolk?
Our tradition is that we all get together for dinner, and the birthday "child" gets to pick the menu, which can be whatever they want. It's always some combination of food that I used to cook when they were little. Mum's spaghetti, mushroom chicken, burrito surprise, macho nachos, meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy, mushroom burgers with swiss cheese, broccoli casserole...these are some of the most requested items.
They also get whatever dessert they want as their "birthday cake." Sometimes it's my cheesecake, or bread pudding. Apple pie. Banana bread. One time it was even just a tub of coffee ice cream! Whatever it is, at the end of the dinner meal, we put a few candles in it and sing happy birthday. There are usually a couple of presents to open, and then we might play a game or two.
Mostly it's just family, though the birthday person can invite whomever else they want. There are the grandkids of course, and often one of the grandkids will want to invite a friend or two. Just with family ... kids and grandkids...there are typically 15+ people.
The tradition has extended now to the spouses of my kids who want to celebrate their birthday the same way. And now a couple of the older grandkids are getting into it, wanting a dinner just like Mom or Dad has...even though I always do something with the grandkids individually for their birthday. It's getting out of hand lol!!!
What about you? Any particular traditions surrounding the way you celebrate birthdays for your kinfolk?
