Birthday 365a reference guide to birthdays and home celebrations

An independent reference guide to birthdays and home celebrations. We sell nothing and do not organise parties; check prices and terms of venues and services with them directly.

a reference guide to birthdays and home celebrations

Birthday 365: a reference guide to birthdays

A birthday comes once a year, but the questions it raises are always the same: where to start, how to stay within budget, what to give and how to say something warmer than a stock phrase. Here you will find calm, practical answers for adult and children's parties, for a dinner at home and for a get-together with colleagues. No advertising, no rankings and no promises of a “perfect party”.

A good birthday rarely depends on scale. More often it depends on how well you planned ahead and how relaxed your guests feel.

— Editor's note

Where to start

Guide sections

  • Guide sections

    A map of the guide: planning, gifts and etiquette, greetings, children and safety.

  • Practical articles

    How to host a birthday party at home in two weeks, plus a catalogue of upcoming articles.

  • Questions and answers

    Short answers about parties, gifts, greetings and traditions.

  • Reading lists

    Reading paths: a first children's party, a relative's milestone birthday, a celebration at work.

  • Reference

    Dates and traditions, etiquette, safety and curious facts, briefly and with sources.

  • Latest publications

    A dated feed of the guide's publications.

  • Archive

    All materials by date and topic, plus a note on the domain's former content.

Example: planning a birthday in two weeks

  1. 14 days before: decide on the format and guest list

    At home or out, daytime or evening, how many people. Almost everything else depends on the number of guests, from the menu to the number of chairs.

  2. 12 days before: invite your guests

    Give the date, start time and rough finish time. If children are coming, ask their parents about food allergies straight away.

  3. 7 days before: split the budget and plan the menu

    Decide what share of the money goes on food and what on decorations and gifts, and keep a small reserve for the unexpected.

  4. 2–3 days before: shopping and preparation

    Buy items with a long shelf life early and perishables closer to the day. Check dishes, candles and space for coats.

  5. On the day: a calm finish

    Set the table shortly before guests arrive and put perishable dishes back in the fridge if they have been out for more than two hours.

Common questions in brief

Do you organise parties or sell gifts?

No. We sell nothing, do not organise parties and do not advertise entertainers, cafes or shops. Check prices and terms of venues and services with them directly.

How much money does a birthday party cost?

We do not quote specific amounts: they depend on the city, the number of guests and the format. We suggest thinking in shares: what part of the budget goes on food, decorations and a reserve.

How many flowers should you give?

In Russia, it is customary to give an odd number of flowers for a birthday: even numbers are traditionally associated with funerals. Customs differ in other countries.

When do you celebrate a birthday that falls on 29 February?

Such a birthday comes round once every four years. In other years it is usually celebrated on 28 February or 1 March.

About the project

Birthday 365 is an independent reference project. The domain was previously used by other owners; the current project has no connection with them, and their former materials have not been preserved or reproduced.

We write about what anyone preparing a celebration may need: planning and to-do lists, gifts and etiquette, greetings in your own words, safety at children's parties, traditions and curious facts. We do not sell services, rate venues or publish reviews that cannot be verified.

Sources

  • Civil Code of the Russian Federation (Art. 575)
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: balloon warnings
  • USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
  • Probability theory materials (the “birthday paradox”)

Information is current as of the date it was prepared. Venues, services and sellers change their rules, so check prices, booking and refund terms with them directly, and check legal rules against the current version of the law.