Birthday traditions in Poland

I'm wondering if there are special birthday traditions and games that are popular in Poland. Especially one's suited for 4 year olds.

thank you!

Polish first birthday traditions? Or birthday traditions in general..

My son is about to turn one and I was wondering about any Polish first birthday traditions that might be nice for his special day. He is half Polish as my husband is Polish and I know of a few, but if anyone has any ideas or special local customs I would like to hear them.

Thanks

To me, one of the nicest Polish traditions is celebrating namedays, not birthdays.

You probably know the one where the 1-year-old is placed on the floor surrounded by a vodka glass, book, rosary and banknote. What he/she reaches for first is said (cum grano salis) to predict what he/she will do in life:

vodka glass = toper
book = scholar
rosary = priest or nun
banknote: financier, banker, person of wealth.

Merged: Polish Birthday Traditions & Ideas

I'm throwing my Aunt a birthday party next year and I would like it to be Polish themed. She has been in the United States for 8 years now and she feels like she's losing her culture. I want to surprise her by having many different Polish birthday traditions, decorations, and food & drinks. I have the food pretty much set, but I'm lost when it comes to the traditions and decorations. Thank you so much!!

You need to sing Sto Lat it is the traditional Polish birthday song that expresses the wish that the person whose birthday it is become a centenarian.

For sake of tradition, don't forget a big name-day celebration - more cultured than b'day

There are no traditions of birtday celebration in Poland. Because traditionally birthdays have not been celebrated. People have started to celebrate birthdays recently.

Traditionally it is the name-day that is celebrated.

Swede, that's not strictly true. It's a tradition for them to pay for their own drinks. It works out better for them as they don't need to pay for the drinks of their friends on their birthdays. It's observed here.

Really???Where did you get this information from?

Sto lat, sto lat, niech zyje zyje nam.

Birthdays are celebrated. Just that ladies if a certain age tend to prefer their name day.

but will accept gifts and praise on their birthdays

Oh, of course, Wrocław :) :) They tend to take 10 candles off the cake ;)

Because she feels like she's losing her culture... what Polish traditions or customs and decorations are there that I can incorporate into the party? I want her to feel "home" Are there special occasion drinks or food?? Should I decorate with the colors of the Polish Flag? Do I serve an actual birthday cake or is there another pastry that she would have eaten on her birthday/name day? Thank you for all of your answers :)

Hey im half polish and i have to do a report on polish birthday traditions... any ideas?

Try to buy her some Polish piwo.

people in poland celebrate every holiday known to them except their own birthdays and someone else they knows birthday. so stupid

Merged:

Special meaning: 44th birthday

My Polish partner's 44th birthday is tomorrow. I've heard that 44 is considered special by some Poles. Can anyone reflect on this? Thanks!

Ah... I think I figured it out. It isn't birthdays but Dziady by Mickiewicz where 44 means something special. Need a literary buff!

Doubt it! I mean there is not any significance attached to 44th birthday. If anything there is some cryptic verse by a Polish 19th century poet - '....his name 44'.

@owieczkaniewie, you're correct - it's about "Dziady" by Mickiewicz :)

A imię jego to czterdzieści cztery...
He who shall release Poland from the torture of the three empires ... it seems the mystery choice of 44 persists to this day!

There is one more connection with 44 - historical - my favourite.

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Mature Poles and Polesess celebrate birthday anniversaries at home or in town.

Here, we are waiting for all guests to arrive, killing time with small talk and antipasti.
Eventually, the party can start. Presents except flowers are not handed in yet, wishes go first.

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Then there is joint hugging and embracing:

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A late guest arrives and offers a present immediately. Amasing:

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Presents are like this:

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The food at the party was plentiful and tasty.

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After the main courses you need dessert so it is time to blow the candles at last.

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The party is over - time to say goodbye:

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