A birthday is a special day when a person commemorates the anniversary of their birth. This is typically done with family and friends at a party where the celebrant receives presents, usually a cake. It is also common to give a person a card with a message in honor of their birthday. Some people, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, do not celebrate birthdays.
A common birthday tradition is to sing a song. The most well-known is probably “Happy Birthday to You,” which was written in 1893 by two sisters, Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill, who were teachers in Kentucky. The song was published in a book for school teachers and quickly became popular. It was also adapted by composer Robert Coleman into a popular version with additional lyrics.
In modern times, many people give gifts to others on their birthday. These may include money, food or drink, clothing, books, electronics, jewelry, or other items. The most popular gift, however, is a birthday card. A message in the card may wish the celebrant happiness, love, luck, health, or good fortune for the year to come.
The history of birthdays is somewhat unclear, but they were originally believed to be a celebration of the birth of a god. This practice probably originated in ancient Egypt, where large celebrations were held for the coronation dates of the pharaohs.
During the first few hundred years of the Christian Church, members considered birthdays to be Pagan rituals and refused to allow them. This changed around the fourth century, when Christians began to celebrate the birth of Jesus, known as Christmas. This change was partly enacted to attract those who already celebrated Saturnalia, the Roman holiday.
A person’s birthday is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. This can be a great time to set goals for the year ahead and consider ways that one can improve themselves. It is a great day to give thanks for all that has been given and show gratitude to those who have supported them.
It is also a good opportunity to express pride in a person’s accomplishments and successes. This is especially true when the milestone is a significant event, such as finishing high school or college, buying a home, starting a business, growing a family, or reaching a personal achievement, such as running a marathon or reading 50 books in a year.
If you work with the birthday celebrant, you can add a personal touch to your greeting by acknowledging the contributions that they have made to your workplace. For example, a colleague who is an excellent manager can be wished happy birthday by expressing appreciation for their guidance and leadership. It is a simple way to show that you care about the person and wish them success in their career.