I've been to a couple Finnish kid's birthday parties since living here and since having our own for our 1 year-old - I think we've inspired people to have them too!
Some of our friends only had parties for just family (aunts, uncles, grandparents etc) and then had a separate one for the friends to go to.
Well, as mentioned before - we don't have family here. So every one of our friends here - are like an adopted family in Finland for us.
Then there's some of our friends (and same in Canada as with any other part of the world) - who do not have parties at all or do not have a party for the first birthday because the child is so young they wouldn't appreciate or remember it.
Fair enough! We did it to celebrate with friends since the family part were living in Canada, to have a massive play date with friends we haven't seen in awhile and to have a good time.
Today's birthday party was held in a day care center near the downtown area which was super convenient. It was spacious (we brought our stroller inside!), full kitchen, large playing rooms, chairs, tables (for both little ones and grown ups) and lots of toys. So really there was nothing to worry about when it came to concern about potentially breaking anything (like a vase at home!).
We had cake, lots of snacking foods, coffee, tea and juice! It was great and the kids just ran around a lot and enjoyed themselves!
There doesn't seem to be a "designated open your gifts" time. As soon as you walk in and hand the gift over to the kids - they rip it open ASAP. Something that was new to me!
In Canada, we usually meet and greet, play some games, eat and blow candles out, eat cake then open gifts, maybe play another game - then grab your treat bag and head out the door ...all tired and high on sugar at the same time. A parent's worst nightmare - ha!
Well, we didn't play games - which is considered normal in Finland....and we did get a treat bag! We did play a small game. There was a curtain hung up and someone handed out treat bags from behind the curtain. But it's more than that - you had a fishing pole and had to "fish" for your treat bag - it was super cute and enjoyed by all!
And treat bags are not common in Finland - they're new....slowly becoming popular.
Other than that - still snowy here and thankfully not too slippery!
Some of our friends only had parties for just family (aunts, uncles, grandparents etc) and then had a separate one for the friends to go to.
Well, as mentioned before - we don't have family here. So every one of our friends here - are like an adopted family in Finland for us.
Then there's some of our friends (and same in Canada as with any other part of the world) - who do not have parties at all or do not have a party for the first birthday because the child is so young they wouldn't appreciate or remember it.
Fair enough! We did it to celebrate with friends since the family part were living in Canada, to have a massive play date with friends we haven't seen in awhile and to have a good time.
Today's birthday party was held in a day care center near the downtown area which was super convenient. It was spacious (we brought our stroller inside!), full kitchen, large playing rooms, chairs, tables (for both little ones and grown ups) and lots of toys. So really there was nothing to worry about when it came to concern about potentially breaking anything (like a vase at home!).
We had cake, lots of snacking foods, coffee, tea and juice! It was great and the kids just ran around a lot and enjoyed themselves!
There doesn't seem to be a "designated open your gifts" time. As soon as you walk in and hand the gift over to the kids - they rip it open ASAP. Something that was new to me!
In Canada, we usually meet and greet, play some games, eat and blow candles out, eat cake then open gifts, maybe play another game - then grab your treat bag and head out the door ...all tired and high on sugar at the same time. A parent's worst nightmare - ha!
Well, we didn't play games - which is considered normal in Finland....and we did get a treat bag! We did play a small game. There was a curtain hung up and someone handed out treat bags from behind the curtain. But it's more than that - you had a fishing pole and had to "fish" for your treat bag - it was super cute and enjoyed by all!
And treat bags are not common in Finland - they're new....slowly becoming popular.
Other than that - still snowy here and thankfully not too slippery!
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