Birthdays are milestones on our journey through life. Here is a complete resource for creating your own birthday rituals to show the special people in your life how much you love them.

The Birthday Book is packed with recipes, stories, songs, games, and ideas for cards, decorations and presents. There are suggestions for ‘oldies’, for teenagers, 18th and 21st parties as well as children’s parties. You will also find unusual celebrations for those celebrating birthdays on holiday, ill in bed, at Christmas or for rainy days.

Ann Druitt trained as an artist. She divides her time between teaching and writing. Christine Fynes-Clinton works as a music teacher and doll-maker and runs workshops on festivals and family life. Marije Rowling is an artist and art teacher.

“A great new addition to the Festivals series, this has wonderful ideas for making birthdays really special. We loved the ideas of birthday crowns and trails of rose petals leading from the child’s bedroom downstairs on birthday morning. And taking a photo each year and writing something in a book to be given on their 18th birthday.” —Education Otherwise

“A ‘bookshelf must’ to be dipped into whenever a birthday celebration arises. On a practical level, the advice it contains about organising children’s birthday parties will, I am sure, save many parents’ pre- and post-party headaches.” —Sue Webb, Perfect Parties