Besides the springtime in April being a beautiful time in general (Flowers! Long sunny days! Beach time!), it’s also home to TWO team members from The Iceberg Project – yours truly (on April 18) and Rachel (on April 16), our lovely managing editor.
Since Rachel is in Italy, and I’m in America, we got to chatting about the differences between how birthdays are celebrated in Italy compared to how they’re celebrated in America.
In our search (and with the help of the wonderful native Italian Carlotta), we unraveled some differences that you might find interesting if you’re planning on attending an Italian friend’s birthday party or celebrating your own birthday abroad.
Let’s start with some typical vocabulary.
Vocabulary
— Le candele / le candeline – Candles
— La torta di compleanno – Birthday cake
— La festa – Party
— Festa a sorpresa – Surprise party
— Festeggiare – To celebrate
— Festeggiato/a – The person celebrating the birthday
— Avrò ___ anni. – I will be ____ years old.
— Oggi ho ___ anni! – Today I am _____ years old.
CPF: you can also use the verb “compiere”: Oggi compio 20 anni. – Today I’m turning 20 years old.
— Ventesimo, ventiduesimo, trentesimo, quarantesimo – 21st, 22nd, 30th, 40th
— L’invito – Invitation
— Il regalo – Gift
— Il biglietto / bigliettino – The card that goes with the present)
— I palloncini – Balloons
— Brindisi – A cheer/toast to the festeggiato
— Canzone di compleanno – Birthday song
CPF: It’s the same tune as US version but the words are:
Tanti auguri a te, tanti auguri a te, tanti auguri a _____ (nome), tanti auguri a te!
Congratulation Phrases
— Auguri!! – Best wishes!
— Buon compleanno! – Happy birthday!
— Ti auguro una giornata bellissima! – I wish you a beautiful day!
— Cento di questi giorni! – A hundred more birthdays! (e.g. long life!)
— Hai superato gli “anta”! – You’ve passed the “anta” years!
CPF: Italians say this when you pass your thirties because “anta” is the ending for any other number after 40! It’s considered the youth finish line!
Culture Tips
While the majority of the traditional ways to celebrate a birthday (e.g. cake, candles, gifts) are similar between America and Italy, there are a few differences that we should discuss.
Food
If you’re invited to a party in Italy, you can bet that the host (the festeggiato/a) will be preparing all of the food or paying for all of the food for his or her guests. This is a big difference from the US where the birthday girl or boy, while they might prepare food at home, would never be expected to pay for his or her own meal.
Gifts
Since the festivity is being paid for by the festeggiato/a, gifts are definitely expected and the wrapping is just as important as the gift. Rachel once told me a story about buying some gifts for a friend’s new child, said yes to free gift wrap, and was given a handful of ribbons to use along with the bag. Gifts are expected to be wrapped beautifully. Finally, gifts must be opened in front of guests. Trying to save them to open them while you’re alone is considered a rude gesture.
Have you ever celebrated your birthday in Italy? Leave us any stories or questions in the comments below!
Want to write a birthday card to an Italian? Here’s what you can say.
What’s the name of an Italian birthday for a future 16 year old female
Ciao Lillian, Hmm, I am not sure I understand the question…The “sixteenth” birthday would be called, “il sedicesimo”, regardless if it is a girl or boy. Does that answer your question?
Thank you for this information! My son is an American married to a marvelous Italian girl. Tomorrow is her Nonna Rosa’s birthday and I will get to see her via Skype. I wanted to be able to sing her the birthday song, which I knew already in Italian, but I also want to say the right things! So grazie mille!
Prego! Hope it went well!
Our former Italian exchange student “daughter” is turning 18, which I understand is a big deal. Do you have any gift recommendations that we can send from the US?
Ciao! I find the Italian’s like gifts that are very “American.” I know the “Pink” line by Victoria’s Secret is popular in Italy (they don’t have it there) – so sweatpants, shirts and the like that say “Pink” is usually a great gift. Good luck!
hi, i’m Italian but don’t know anything about it so what does the girl wear on her 16th birthday is it just like a Quinceañera or
Ciao Grace,
Just regular attire for a 16th birthday. It’s not a particularly special year in Italy and there is no such thing as Quincenera. 🙂
Hola everyone, my name is Hannah, and I am currently studying Spanish and Hispanic cultures, even though I’m Italian ha-ha. But, Rachel, there may not be a Quincenera within Italian culture, but within Hispanic culture a Quincenera is extremely important. A Quincenera is a celebration of a young girl who is turning 15! It is quite and experience to be a part of! I don’t mean to come off rude, I just like to share the knowledge that I have learned with others! Also, Rachel, can you post a city in Italy that you would recommend people to visit? I have been trying to plan a trip to Italy but I’m not sure what city.
Thanks, and I hope my information helped. 🙂
Ciao Hannah, If you’ve never been to Italy before, I always recommend hitting the “big three” Venice, Rome, Florence. That way you get to see some of the more well known places, artwork and history, before delving into the finer details. 🙂
Thanks for writing! I am familiar with quincenera having grown up in Arizona where we have a large Spanish population! Was always jealous of their big parties. 🙂 Un abbraccio!
Hello my name isTaylor Malizia. I am Half Italian. And I’ve never been to a Italian birthday party. February 20 is my birthday and I want to have a Italian tradition party or a Paris party. I would love to know all about my culture.
Ciao Taylor – Hopefully the article is helpful with your birthday planning! 🙂
What is the coming of age party called in Italy and how old is the person when it is celebrated
There isn’t one 🙂
Hi! I just wanted to say I’ve just discovered your blog and I love it. I’ll definitely be taking them on board for our next kids party. Thanks for the great content!
Prego! 🙂