Authors

• Finnish Literature Society

Keywords

Anniversaries, Ceremonies, Childhood, Customs and traditions, Families, Friends, Parties (social)

Abstract

The data consists of responses to a writing collection organized by the Finnish Literature Society. In their writings, people share their memories of celebrating birthdays.

The call for writings provided respondents with several helpful questions to make writing easier. The questions asked, for example, how birthdays have been celebrated in the respondent's family and circle of friends, how the respondents have celebrated their birthdays throughout their life, how it feels to celebrate birthdays and be the center of attention, and how the respondent's attitude toward celebrating birthdays has changed with age. If the respondent did not celebrate birthdays, they were asked to explain why. Respondents were also asked to recall birthdays other than their own.

The respondent's gender, year of birth, occupation, and location were included as background information, if provided.