Birthdays are one of the most anticipated days of the year for many people. Although enthusiasm for this type of event tends to dim a little with age, a ’round’ birthday still doesn’t stop being a great reason to celebrate. Where did the current customs of celebrating this day come from, how to choose a cake for a 40th birthday and a gift for a 40-year-old? You can find out all this and much more in this article!
A few words about the history of birthday and name day celebrations
Interestingly, the custom of celebrating birthdays in Poland is relatively young. Certainly, many of us still know quite a few people – whether friends or family members, such as parents or grandparents – who do not actually celebrate this day at all, but instead celebrate name days. There is also no shortage of people who throw a party for both their birthday and their name day, but place more importance on the latter occasion. The exact customs depend very much on age and also on the region of Poland – for example, people in Upper Silesia or the Kashubian region very rarely celebrate name days. So where did the celebration of birthdays come from?
Let’s start with name days – where did this custom originate? As with many indispensable parts of Polish culture, its roots can be traced back to Christianity. For a long time, names were largely chosen in honour of saints – each of whom has one or more dates in their calendar that relate to their celebrations. These are the days on which the people named after a given name celebrate their name days. The best-known example is, of course, St Andrew’s Day, celebrated on the night of 29 to 30 November – an event that is also linked to many other interesting customs.
Natural candles in a black cotton pouch are ideal for a gift
The custom of celebrating birthdays
Interestingly, although name days played a more important role in Poland for a long time, the custom of birthdays itself has a much longer history. To get to its origins, one has to go all the way back to antiquity. There are many hypotheses as to the exact origins of this celebration. Some of them focus on the cult of a mythological figure of genius (the female equivalent – junona or iuno, like the Roman goddess Juno), who was supposed to be born and die with the person in question, guide his or her fate and ensure his or her happiness. Other explanations instead focus on Greek religious rites, in which the goddess Artemis, also called Artemis, played an important role. It is probably also from Greece that the custom of preparing cakes for birthdays with candles originated. It is possible, however, that birthdays were first celebrated in ancient Egypt. There are many explanations for the origins of this custom, but one thing is certain – birthdays have been with us for many, many years.
It is also worth noting that the custom of celebrating birthdays in Europe was largely suppressed by the church hierarchy, who wanted to eliminate pagan rites. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, however, birthdays began to be celebrated again. At first, it was a custom that mainly concerned kings, priests and other rulers, but later it also spread to other adult men and then to women and children.
Today, there is no doubt that birthdays are an important event in everyone’s life. Round anniversaries, such as forties or fifties, are celebrated particularly pompously.
Round birthdays – a special occasion to celebrate!
Birthdays are a big event, especially for children, but as they get older, many people’s enthusiasm for celebrating gradually wanes. More often than not, the subsequent parties after eighteen are smaller and smaller – often some of these days are not even celebrated. Round anniversaries, however, are always a good reason to celebrate and also put the previous few years into perspective.
The next big milestone after the 18th is the 25th and then the 30th birthday. With a flurry of adult responsibilities, it can be hard to find time to party, but the vast majority of people celebrate their 40th and 50th birthdays quite lavishly. Quite a lot has certainly happened in each of these decades – it is worth taking a day for yourself, preparing a party with those closest to you, perhaps reminiscing a little, and gaining strength for the years to come. For birthday guests, it is above all an opportunity to show that the birthday boy or woman plays an important role in their lives. The traditional symbol is, of course, gifts, as well as a magnificent cake – for a 40th birthday or other round anniversaries, you can go all the way!
Eco bag 100% cotton is a great gift idea for a 40-year-old
How to celebrate a 40th birthday?
The choice in this respect really only depends on the person celebrating the birthday. A smaller or larger party is a common choice – it can be held at home, in a hired hall or even outdoors. Whether you’re opting for a party at your flat, going out for drinks or perhaps a trip somewhere nice, the most important thing is the right company. Invite the people who are most important to you – it guarantees a successful celebration of this important day.
It is also worth remembering that sometimes it can be difficult to find the time to organise a birthday party. If someone you know is approaching a round anniversary, a surprise party can be a good idea. There are many possibilities! For example, you can opt for a lavish party with elegant decorations such as stylish placemats or table napkins, a club outing or a pleasant picnic outdoors. The most important thing is to match the nature of the party to the preferences of the birthday boy or woman.
A gift for a round birthday
A round birthday – thirtieth, fortieth, fiftieth or even sixtieth – is the ideal time to give a loved one an interesting gift. This is a particularly good idea if the jeweller does not usually celebrate his or her birthday and waits with the celebration just until the bigger anniversary. What is a good gift for a 40-year-old and a 50-year-old? There are indeed many suggestions for gifts – here are some of our suggestions.
What gift for a 40-year-old?
Are you preparing for your friend’s, wife’s, mother’s or other woman’s birthday? Remember to emphasise the festive nature of this important day by giving the birthday girl an impressive gift. Ideas can be multiplied and multiplied – but it’s worth starting by considering the taste, preferences and interests of the recipient. 40 birthdays are usually a time when career and success play a slightly less important role than in earlier decades of life – so a gift that allows the birthday girl to relax and indulge her passions is a good idea.
In the case of a gift for a female partner, a special romantic dinner for two would be perfect. A sightseeing flight, a personalised photo session or a voucher for a spa treatment are also interesting choices for a 40-year-old, as these are gifts involving a unique experience that will surely be worth remembering. However, these are just a few of the suggestions – depending on the recipient’s preferences, you can choose from jewellery, cosmetics or electronic gadgets. The possibilities are almost endless – let your imagination run wild and choose the perfect gift!
Natural cosmetics such as handmade soap are an original birthday gift package
A gift for a 40-year-old – our tips
What 40th birthday gift for a man would be a good choice? It would certainly be a great idea to bet on gifts that focus on gaining a new experience – this could be, for example, a voucher for a scenic plane flight or a ride in a sports car. Gift suggestions also include a number of fun or exclusive alcohol-related gifts, such as specially packaged bottles of whisky. Men also often appreciate practical gifts – for example, it could be a toolbox or useful electronic equipment such as a smartwatch.
What will work as a gift for a 50-year-old or 50-something man?
50. a birthday is a special anniversary – it’s an age that can be a source of pride, as well as a defining moment in the birthday boy or girl’s life. Again, it’s a good idea to opt for gifts related to the recipient’s interests, as well as gifts that promote relaxation and rest, which will certainly come in handy once the person is over 50. If it is to be a gift for someone close to you, it is worth betting on something really special – an example is a high-quality watch.
40th birthday cake and decorations
An integral part of any birthday party is the cake. Serving it is a tradition that, as we have already mentioned, dates back to ancient times. Above all, the 40th birthday cake should be… big! This is a round anniversary that should be celebrated properly. You can even opt for cakes with a diameter of more than 30 centimetres – especially if you are planning a party for more people.
Of course, the cake should also include candles. However, placing 40 individual candles can be quite difficult – instead, you can opt for two candles – a ‘4’ and a ‘0’. This way, the blowing out of the cake is sure to be successful and all the dreams of the birthday boy or girl will come true!
What else is worth bearing in mind when choosing a cake for a loved one celebrating a round birthday? You can opt for personalised cakes that relate to the birthday person’s interests or passions. Nowadays, these types of cakes can be ordered in practically every confectioner’s shop – but remember to order well in advance. In addition, you can’t forget about unique decorations – our birthday bags, for example, can be part of the birthday decoration.
How do you wrap a gift for a 40-year-old or 40-something?
Pouches or boxes are not the only products that work well for gift wrapping. Wondering what to do to make a gift for a 40-year-old or 40-something look original? Opt for natural fibre bags – you’ll find plenty of suggestions for birthdays and name days. The wide range of sizes allows you to fit any gift inside. And you can choose from a variety of materials and colours, so it’s easy to find the perfect pouch to suit the occasion. Check out our range today and give a round birthday gift that will stay in the birthday person’s memory for a long time!
