BIRTHDAYS IN GERMANY

Exploring German Birthday Customs and Traditions

Basic Overview

Pre-Birthday Superstitions and Celebrations

●In Germany, it's considered bad luck to wish someone a happy
birthday before the actual day. Why do you think that is?

●Unlike in Germany, some parts of Austria celebrate birthdays on
the eve. How do you celebrate your birthday?

●When Germans invite you to their birthday party, they pay for
everything. Have you ever been to a birthday where the host paid
for the guests?

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IT'S

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TO WISH SOMEONE THEIR BIRTHDAY BEFORE THE ACTUAL DAY

Unique Birthday Customs for Different Ages

●On the 16th birthday, friends may pour flour on the birthday
child's head in northern Germany. What unusual birthday
traditions do you know?

●The 18th birthday might involve cracking eggs over the
celebrant's head. How would you feel about this tradition?

●At 25, unmarried men and women have special traditions with
socks and cartons. Can you think of any symbols that represent
being single in your culture?

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The 18th birthday might involve ​

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over the
celebrant's head.

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•On the 16th birthday, friends may pour ​

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on the birthday child's head in northern Germany.

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flour

milk

sugar

The Geburtstagskranz and Lebenskerze

●Geburtstagskranz is a wooden ring with holes for candles representing each year of a child's life.
What does your family use to represent your age on your birthday?

●A Lebenskerze, or life candle, is placed in the center of the ring and is given at a child's
christening in religious families. How does your family celebrate milestones?

●Blowing out candles on a birthday cake is also common in Germany. Do you have a special
birthday cake tradition?

●Think about the different ways people celebrate life's milestones. Why do you think these
traditions are important?

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Geburtstagskranz is a ​

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with holes for candles representing ​

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of a child's life. What does your family use to represent your age on your birthday? A Lebenskerze, or ​

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, is placed in the center of the ring and is given at a child's christening in religious families. How does your family celebrate milestones?

Drag and Drop

Geburtstagskranz is a ​

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with holes for candles representing each year of a child's life.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

wooden ring

plastic circle

metal loop