Birthday Parties History

The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would to come be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began.

At first it was only kings who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration. To protect them from harm, friends and family would come to be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations. The tradition of children's birthday parties first started in Germany and were called Kinderfeste.