Birthdays are celebrated all over the world. Some traditions are rather similar from country to country: candles, cakes, and birthday wishes. But there are also different ways to celebrate birthdays. Here are a few.

      Argentina—In Argentina, as in many Latin American countries, one of the most important birthday parties is a girl's fifteenth. When girls turn 15 they have a huge party and dance first with their father, and then the boys at the party.

      China—The birthday child receives presents from the parents. Friends and family members are invited to dinner, and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.

      Denmark—A flag is flown outside a window to show that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child's bed while he is sleeping so he will see them immediately when he wakes up.

      Holland—The birthday child receives an especially large present. The family also put flowers or balloons on the birthday child's chair to make it beautiful.

      India—Usually Indian childr en wear white to school. However, on their birthday children wear coloured clothes to school and give out chocolates to everyone in the class. Their best friend helps them to do this.

      Japan—The birthday child wears new clothes to mark the special time. Certain birthdays are more important than others and these are celebrated with a visit to the shrine(神殿). These are the third and seventh birthdays for girls and the fifth for boys.