Our family has a special ritual for birthdays.  A number of mornings before the birthday celebration, a birthday gnome (one made from felt and wool) arrives at the breakfast place setting – great excitement and joy is seen at his arrival.  Every morning thereon, until the birthday morning the gnome, along with a little treasure from nature (a gumnut or shell or some bark) arrives with the gnome – helping to build up the anticipation towards the birthday morning.

Each night building up to the birthday, a birthday story is told – this can be from the book “Birthday” by Norah Romer or your own one telling them about their journey from 0 – present years – with a little something special about each milestone year.

Verse of Anticipation:

When I have said my evening prayer,
And my clothes are folded on the chair,
And mother switches off the light,
I’ll still be …… years old tonight.

But, from the very break of day,
Before the children rise and play.
Before the darkness turns to gold
Tomorrow, I’ll be …… years old.

... Kisses when I wake,
..., Candles on my cake!

Then the night before the birthday the above verse is said at bedtime, accompanied with a lit candle.  When the child is asleep a crown and cape is placed at the end of the bed to welcome the Birthday child in the morning and wear to the Celebration.

A breakfast table is prepared for the birthday celebration with the family – a beautiful table decorated with a special cloth and flowers, a birthday candle, presents and cards.

The family gathers at the breakfast table and Mum or Dad leads in the birthday child singing……..

‘In heaven shines a golden star,
an angel led me from afar,
from heaven high unto the earth
and brought me to my house of birth.’

The presents are given….. and ….. it is time to …….open them!!

A special day for everyone.

by: Anne Marie Budd

(First printed in the ‘Waldorf Weavings’ – Winter 2001, a seasonal publication of The West Coast Steiner School, Nollamara W.A – Ph: 9440 1771)

(Ref: Verse of Anticipation, “All Year Round” – A Druitt, C. Fynes-Clinton and M Rowling)