First Birthday Around the World

Different countries around the world have different traditions for a child's first birthday. In Malta, Korea, and other countries parents lay a variety of items on the floor or in a basket near the child. Each item is representative of a different career or future. Whatever the child picks up first is supposed to foretell their future.

Often a child is dressed up on their first birthday and presented to family members. In Korea, the child is given money gifts. Create your own birthday traditions and some that you do every year. Decorate the birthday child's chair at the dinner table, let them pick the dinner menu, and have a special plate that's only used on birthdays.