Celebrating my first birthday in Sweden couldn’t have been better. First, I was happy to get phone calls, Skype calls, messages, and photos from friends and family back home. When you live abroad you get a little scared that your friends and family back home will forget you.
I was a bit nervous about my first birthday in a new country: What will it be like? What are the cultural differences?
Last weekend we celebrated my birthday with my husband’s family. They bought me a cake, gave me presents, and sung happy birthday to me:
The Swedish Birthday Song:
Ja, må hon leva, Ja, må hon leva, Ja, må hon leva uti hundrade år.
Ja, visst ska hon leva, Ja, visst ska hon leva, Ja, visst ska hon leva uti hundrade år.
(x2)
“Ett fyraldigt leve… leve hon. HURRAH, HURRAH, HURRAH, HURRAH.”
English Translation
Yes, may she live, Yes, may she live, Yes, may she live for a hundred years.
Oh sure, she will live, Oh sure, she will live, Oh sure, she will live for a hundred years.
“A four fold cheer … cheer for her. HURRAH, HURRAH, HURRAH, HURRAH.”
Listen to it here:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nia0BVVMnCw]
Some Common Swedish Birthday Customs
- Breakfast in bed- unfortunately this is usually only for children. The family comes into the room with breakfast (sometimes with cake) and sings for the birthday boy/girl.
- Some Swedes enjoy Smörgåstårta (Sandwich cake) on their birthdays. Read more about that in a previous post. Hubby bought me a shrimp sandwich this morning, which was close enough…this time.
- A popular birthday cake is Prinsesstårta (Princess Cake)- a sponge cake with lots of cream inside and a shell of marzipan. Read more about that in a previous post.
- Swedish flags are often used to decorate the birthday cake.
- Bring your own birthday cake to work to celebrate yourself with your workmates.
- Surprise parties are not common in Sweden, instead you plan your own festivities if you want.
Vocabulary
Grattis på födelsedagen: Happy Birthday!
Grattis: Congratulations
Tårta: Cake
AuntyRee says
October 24, 2012 at 11:35 pmHappy birthday, Meg! Guess I was a day too early with the Skype call to you — but then, I didn’t even know it was your birthday . . . glad it was such a happy one!
Alexandra says
October 25, 2012 at 12:18 amHappy birthday 🙂
the birthday song sounds very funny when it’s translated, I guess since being used to hearing it I haven’t really thought much about the meaning of the words before 😀
housewifedownunder says
October 25, 2012 at 2:38 amHappy birthday!
That birthday song with the puppets is cute!
blackmetallurgy says
October 25, 2012 at 5:54 amHappy Birthday!
BARBARA STROKOFF says
October 25, 2012 at 7:05 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY MEG! GLAD IT WAS A GOOD ONE. I’M IN QUEENS- COULDN’T GET THE SONG TO PLAY-WILL TRY IN SOUTHOLD TOMORROW.CALL YOU OVER WEEKEND. KNIT ME A SCARF!!
dankoon says
October 25, 2012 at 7:30 amMegan, Belated Happy Birthday! Glad you had a good one. Love your posts.
Mariette
liz says
October 25, 2012 at 8:21 amGRATTIS!! Hoppas du hade en fin fin dag! Kram!
Hannah says
October 25, 2012 at 9:22 amYou moved to Sweden *and* you have family who owns a knitting store? Sounds awesome! Really enjoying your blog, keep writing!
Monica Hagnevik says
October 25, 2012 at 9:37 amHappy birthday!! Grattis på födelsedag!!
Youma says
October 25, 2012 at 10:25 amHappy Bday
Mickey says
October 25, 2012 at 8:41 pmThanks for sharing your birthday song Love and miss you.Aunt Mary Uncle Mickey We love all your posts
malna says
October 26, 2012 at 4:26 pmI just love your blog!! Take a look here: http://frankfurtmalin.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/beautiful-blogger-award/
it’s a nomination to zhe beautiful blogger award!
Grattis på födelsedagen!! kram Malin
Aunt Heidi says
November 13, 2012 at 7:16 pmHappy belated birthday!! I love you and miss you so very much!!