Victorian birthday celebrations

[klikbewm]

For a historical fiction project, I am looking for information on Victorian practices involving the celebration of birthdays - and preferably in the 1850-1865 span of years, if it makes a difference. [Edit: Also, preferably about customs in England of the time, but knowing about anywhere would also be helpful, as I'm flexible on country of origin

Comments

[kayt_arminta]

I'm not 100% positive, but I'm rather sure that birthday's weren't actually that important (high infant mortality rate). They celebrated name days or baptism days I think. (usually a couple of weeks after the actual birth)

[klikbewm]

I think you're right; as mentioned below, it seems too impractical for most people to have bothered with. Or, at least, they didn't do it as publicly as we might now. It's sort of surprising, since if it wasn't nearly so likely my child would live another year, I'd probably throw it a heck of a party!

[sollersuk]

Not name days and baptismal days in England - far too Papist!

From family tradition, birthdays (apart from one's 21st or other key one) were not all that important.

[eleanorb]

Which country?

[eleanorb]

Frith's 'Many Happy Returns of the Day' shows an English child's birthday party.

[orthent]

Heh, you beat me to it, so I'll just mention that John Ruskin in his review seems to have thought that the child would grow up to be a spoiled little monster. Not, apparently, from anything the child is actually doing--just from the fact that she is being feted and made the center of attention at all.

[klikbewm]

Oops, I knew I'd forget something.

England, yes, and thank you kindly!

[ladysunrope]

I have a postcard in my family papers from my great great grandmother to my great aunt on the occasion of her 4th birthday dated 1896. It was posted first thing in the morning and arrived in the afternoon the same day (those were the days- wouldn't happen now!) The postcard is religious in nature (Jesus surrounded by children) and wishes her 'Many Happy Returns with All Our Affection' on the other side. It refers to the birthday tea they would have in the late afternoon. From my investigations this would have been based on their version of an upper class afternoon tea for the child and immediate family that could spare the time from working

[klikbewm]

This helps a great deal, and with many good examples. Thank you very much! It would seem that birthday parties were more of a leisure and luxury that weren't easily afforded in that time.

[randomstasis]

You might try something along the lines of coming of age rituals or childhood landmarks- there will be a specific birthday when the boy graduates from short pants to long pants, a girl is allowed to wear her hair up, long skirts, etc, and when they are allowed to eat dinner with the adults. Tom Browns schooldays and other Victorian boarding school novels also talked about getting a letter from a relative with a guinea under the seal to spend on treats.

[klikbewm]

Oh, that's rather interesting! Passage rites, rather than birthday parties. Thank you!

[toastedcheese]

Hmm, here's a brief article that talks about Victorian birthdays (in the U.S., though.)

I'd imagine there would be Victorian novels in which birthdays (especially of the rich) are depicted, but none are occurring to me!

[klikbewm]

Thank you! And I couldn't think of a one, either. I ran into an anime that did a fine job with details in the Victorian period, but I'm not about to lean on it for details. *grin*

[hwesta_of_troy]

A Little Princess comes to mind.

[samtyr]

Try this link. Good luck!

http://www.victorianlondon.org/

[klikbewm]

Ohhhh, I shall be here for hours! Thank you!