Are you searching for good ideas for a Dominican-inspired birthday party? Check out our guide to the customs and traditions associated with the occasion. We also include links to go-to dishes, and drinks, and offer some tips for birthday parties for both adults and children.
One of the things we Dominicans are good at is creating an enjoyable celebration with very little. The not-so-secret ingredient is the effusive bonhomie and natural joie de vivre of the hosts and guests.
Here are some guidelines we can share for a successful, memorable and truly Dominican birthday party.
Dominican birthday traditions
A standard birthday party, for adults as well as children, will involve some food, either in the form of a picadera or a meal, followed by the cake. The cake –Bizcocho dominicano- is the centerpiece of the event, and Dominicans have elevated this to an art form.
Children birthdays
A child’s first birthday party is a particularly special occasion. A one-year-old will not fully appreciate it or remember it, so a photo with both parents and the cake is de rigueur. It is a joyous recognition that the child has survived the first year, in a country where high infant mortality rates are still a relatively recent memory.
In modern times, the tradition continues and can also be treated as a celebration of the parents getting through that challenging first stage.
Dominican quinceañeras
Another important milestone birthday celebration is the quinceañera, a young girl’s 15th birthday party, which is a coming-of-age ritual shared with many other Latin American countries. A photo session in formal evening dress is an essential part of this event. There is no equivalent for boys.
Dominican birthday song
The traditional and uniquely Dominican birthday song is “El regalo mejor” ("the best gift") better known as “Celebro tu cumpleaños” ("I celebrate your birthday") and the universal Spanish “Cumpleaños feliz” (the same tune as Happy Birthday to you).
“Celebro tu cumpleaños tan pronto vi asomar el sol / Y en este día glorioso pido tu dicha al Señor / Porque lo he considerado como el regalo mejor / Toma mi abrazo, que yo te doy con mucha sinceridad / Toma mi abrazo, tu amigo soy y mucha felicidad”.
(El regalo mejor. Words and music by Ramón Rafael Casado Soler)
These days a lot of Dominicans also enjoy singing the birthday song in English, with the joke that “Happy Birthday to you” sounds like “Lápiz verde 'puyú'” ("green pointy pencil").
How do Dominicans celebrate birthdays?
A party can be lavish or modest, but there will always be cake involved. The cutting and serving of the cake, after singing the traditional and uniquely Dominican birthday song is the culmination of the celebration, after which the guests are expected to leave.
In more affluent circles, no expense is spared and a children’s birthday party will be held in a special venue, with party planners, decorations based on popular themes, and professional entertainers. But most celebrations will be no-frills, held at home, perhaps with no more decorations than just a few balloons. No matter what, there will always be music, and did we mention cake?
Bizcocho dominicano
Bizcocho dominicano and cupcakes.
If you can only have one item for a birthday celebration, a cake has to be it. Even families where birthdays are not routinely celebrated will buy a Dominican birthday cake or bizcocho, and have pictures taken with siblings and cousins.
For a kid's party, we suggest you go with the classic Dominican cake (linked above), or even our cupcake version. You can't go wrong with either of these.
How do I say “Happy Birthday” in Spanish?
If you’re invited to a Dominican birthday party, the standard birthday greeting is “feliz cumpleaños” or just “felicidades!”
What is the etiquette surrounding gifts?
A gift is not expected but it is always a nice gesture to bring an age-appropriate present for the child in question, or “un detallito” for an adult “cumpleañero/a” (birthday boy/girl). For example, you could bring a good bottle of wine, or something stronger, chocolates, or perfume, or a voucher for a beauty treatment, as appropriate.
For the kids
The fewer birthdays you've had, the more important each is. Kids love birthday parties, and we're here to make them easier on the parents.
What drinks are served?
Birthday drinks.
If you'll have a cake, you'll have to have drinks. And if you know us, you know we're not going to suggest colorful sugary drinks. Of course, you do you, but we have better ideas.
As shown in the photo at the top, we have the ever-popular Ponche de frutas, although my version is healthier than the traditional one, but no less tasty. If you are looking for other easy-to-make kid's favorites, try the very inexpensive Pera-piña or another of our many traditional fruit juices.
For adults, include some alcoholic options like fruit punch with rum, beers and wine, and something a little stronger like whiskey or rum. Mamajuana is great as a digestif.
La picadera
Dominican party appetizers.
Things are getting more complicated, but not by much, because we have the ideas and recipes for the perfect picadera (buffet), Dominican-style.
An assortment of pastelitos and empanaditas will always be well received, and try the gluten-free Empanada de yuca. Our recipe has several options to please everyone, even the vegans! And, if you're feeling adventurous, and sophisticated, add kipes to your picadera selection. Croquetas and a pretty sandwichón will be perfect for kids, and for the grown-ups who accompany them. Some Tostones rellenos, or Mofonguitos maduros will also be very well-received.
There are many more choices to fit your cooking level, available time, and budget in our picadera section.
Children’s party favors
Yeah, we'll tackle that too. First of all, please refrain from gifting those cheap plasticky contraptions that were so popular years ago. We can do better. What's better? Things kids can eat and won't end in the landfill in less than a week. Here are some of our favorite ideas that we did use in the few birthday parties we threw for our kids.
Do you know what Gofio is? Well, we wrote a recipe for it, and even added a tutorial to create some pretty cones, and how to use them as a game in your kid's party.
Another edible favor? How about cookies? If you want to go for traditional, kids love our coconetes and mantecaditos.
For non-edible favors for small kids, my favorite go-to was age-appropriate books or coloring books.
What do you think? What are your favorite birthday ideas?
Published Mar 21, 2010, revised
