How do Americans celebrate their birthdays?

Most Americans celebrate their birthday in private with their family or close friends. However, there is a large proportion of high school and college students who go out with friends to celebrate, and often there may be local events such as bars and clubs will host a ‘birthday bash’ event catering to these crowds.

Most Americans also celebrate their birthday with a cake, and in fact it’s not uncommon in the United States for the phrase ‘Happy Birthday’ to precede a sweet dessert (instead of a wish for a long and prosperous life). Also, many Americans get together to celebrate someone’s birthday with a surprise party where the guest of honor is led to believe that the gathering is for a different purpose.