Italian kids celebrate their birthdays by inviting friends and classmates to their homes, or else, going out together for a pizza. There are lots of kisses to wish the person happy birthday, but this custom also expresses the great warmth of the Italian people, how much family and friends cherish each other. Just like in the United States, everyone brings a present, and the presents are opened immediately so that the birthday person can thank whoever gave the gift. This is considered a sign of respect and appreciation. Since all Italians love clothes so much, this could be an opportunity to offer a gift of clothing: any kid would love to receive something with a well-known brand, but at the same time, birthday presents are never very many or too expensive. And Italian birthday celebrations don't include a goodies bag at the end of the party, as there often is in the United States.

If the celebration takes place at home, a buffet is prepared with a variety of pastries, pretzels, chips, tramezzini (typical Italian sandwiches of several layers) and lots of homemade goodies and sodas. The boy or girl whose birthday it is blows out candles on the cake, and just like in the United States, however many years old the person is, there are that many lit candles on the cake. The guests sing "Tanti auguri a te" (best wishes to you), music is played and there is dancing.

For parents' birthdays, all the family and its closest friends will gather for a party. Kids will buy a little present such as perfume, something to wear, a book, a gadget for the kitchen or maybe a tool for the father. The most common gift is flowers for the mother and a tie for the father. After the meal everyone eats cake together. Does this sound like the birthday customs where you live? Why or why not?