Birthdays are Best

Thanks, I guess.

By

Jenn Goddu
1–2 minutes

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Not sure what to get someone for their sixteenth birthday? Well, don’t follow the model of Queen Victoria‘s family.

In her day, birthdays were a day to offer instructions to young people. On her 14th birthday she was admonished to be reflective and “grow in goodness and become humbleminded” (as cited in Lewis, 1976).

To make sure that happened, at 16 she received a bust of her mother and illustrations of all the funerals she’d attended. Yeah, that’s a rousing way to celebrate turning another year older! At least you didn’t die as these folks did, Vicky!

What’s the weirdest gift you’ve been given? Comment below to share.

Comments

2 responses to “Thanks, I guess.”

  1. Birthdays in Kids’ Books: Get Better! | Birthdays are Best

    […] Until then, you’re mostly stuck with kids’ books. Looking at Today’s Parent Top 10, I was reminded how birthdays are often an opportunity for kids to learn to be better. In Victorian times, birthdays weren’t celebrated but rather seen as a time to encourage kids to be reflective and “grow in goodness.” […]

    Reply
  2. Celebration of You, Redefined. | Birthdays are Best

    […] self worth. This sounds more in line with what the Victorians thought of birthdays, as discussed in a previous blog. The only worry is that this might make things worse for those who’ve endured a tough year and […]

    Reply

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