In different cultures, newborns will have a celebration. Some celebrate when the baby is one month old. In Asia, especially China, a 100-day banquet is held for the baby. 100 is a lucky number for many cultures, a powerful number that interprets the meaning of perfection, completeness, and milestones. Also during these 100 days, new mothers have time to rest and prepare for the upcoming celebrations. These parties bring families and close friends together to celebrate the children, which is meaningful and very touching. If parents are still uncertain about the next celebrations, these introductions and suggestions that follow may be able to help you.
100-day celebration in China
In China, due to the lack of medical care in ancient times and the high infant mortality rate, babies were not celebrated until some time after birth. This time also marked the end of the mother's labor. In more modern times, celebrating 100 days has become a marker. This allows the mother and baby to have plenty of rest to recover and minimizes the risk of the baby being exposed to germs.
The ways of celebration are more diverse depending on the place. For example, some will give out red eggs and cut off a lock of baby hair. And close elders will give gold bracelets or pendants which represent good luck and wealth. A more modern way to celebrate is to rent a venue in a hotel and invite family and close friends. Those who attend usually prepare red envelopes with money for the children to signify good health. A special activity is included in the traditional Chinese 100th-day celebration. This is when representative items such as books, microphones, or sports equipment are placed on the table for the children to choose from. The items they choose will represent their future careers, which is a very interesting activity.
100 days celebration in Japan
In Japan, babies celebrate their 100th day of life at the first eating ceremony called “Okuizome”. This is a feeding ritual that usually takes place within 100 to 120 days of the baby's birth. The baby is offered various types of food, including rice, soup, fish, and cooked vegetables. Each dish will have a special meaning, such as snapper, which represents a “joyful event.” And pickled plums are a symbol of health and longevity. And a stone is placed on the lips to symbolize good luck and strong teeth. These dishes cannot be eaten by babies, so the oldest person in the family will pretend to feed them these foods, which is also a symbol of longevity. Also, the lacquered bowls at the feast would be required, depending on the gender of the baby. Boys have completely red bowls, while girls' bowls are black on the outside.
100 days celebration in Korea
The 100-day celebration is known as Baek-il in Korea. on this day people offer rice and sea mustard soup to the spirits. To thank them for taking care of the baby and the mother who helped them through a difficult time. Rice cakes and wine also play an important role in the celebration. Tradition claims that by placing the rice cakes on the four compass points inside the house, the child will be protected. Another belief is that if the steamed rice cakes are shared with 100 people, the baby will live a long and healthy life. Therefore, the rice cakes were sent to as many family members, relatives, and friends as possible to help celebrate the happiness of the occasion.
Sip and See parties in the USA
Perhaps you haven't heard of this party, which first started in the South. It's meant to give family and close friends a chance to see the baby, but it's still best to wait until after the baby reaches six weeks of age. During this time, the baby's immune system begins to develop and he or she can have some contact with other people. There are not too many traditions to follow at this party, but there are still refreshments for the guests to enjoy. Plus, the name of the party has a sip in it, which means there are drinks to be enjoyed during the conversation. Guests can also bring gifts to the party, such as a bib with the baby's initials and a soft blanket. Apart from gifts for the baby, it is also important to consider the mother's feelings and it is also very thoughtful to choose something that the mother likes as a gift for her.
Tips for hosting a celebration party
Venue: Many people will choose to rent a venue at a hotel for their banquet, and this option is suitable for situations where multiple people are invited. If you want to hold a small party, it is perfectly fine to use an outdoor party tent in your backyard. Can provide a space for guests to rest, but also circumvent the possibility of sudden changes in the weather.
Safety: Babies' resistance is certainly fragile, so make sure that each guest has vaccinations or negative test results. Masks should also be put on when they near infants. Parents can place hand sanitizer throughout the venue to ensure the safety of the entire party.
Food and decorations: Given that this is a party for children, choose bright colors for the food and decorations. The food can also be cartoonish in shape so that it will be more adorable. If it is outdoors, use an instant canopy to avoid damage to the food. Enjoy the decorations and let your imagination run free. Use balloons and colors to add some sparkle to the occasion.
Overall, a day that will create lasting memories. I hope parents can relax and then enjoy the wonders this day will bring.
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