Part 1 — Kids: the goûter d’anniversaire
When: Afternoon, usually 15:00–17:30. Think “after-school snack” but with confetti.
Guests: Small crew or whole class (to dodge playground politics). Add a clear RSVP + pickup time.
Food & drink: Gâteau d’anniversaire, bonbons (Haribo empire), juices, sirop (grenadine/menthe), water. Champomy = bubbly apple juice for tiny party animals.
Activities: Treasure hunt, musical statues, crafts, mini “boum” (dance party).
Gifts: Modest. Often opened after cake—or later, quietly.
Parents: Drop-off is common for school-age kids; come back at pickup with your “bravo, merci!” smile.
Quick home setup (Aix-friendly)
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Table: cake, bowls of fruit + bonbons, water + sirops
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Alley/park plan B: chalk, treasure clues, wipes, mini trash bags
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One calm corner: coloring, stickers, Lego, books (for sensory breaks)
Part 2 — Adults: dinner, apéro dînatoire, or both
Formats:
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Dîner at home or restaurant (book early).
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Apéro dînatoire = hearty finger-food that is dinner: tapenade, pissaladière, charcuterie, crudités, mini quiches… and a dangerously refillable glass.
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Pique-nique or potluck when the mistral behaves.
Dessert ideas: Fraisier, framboisier, fruit tart, or the universal crowd-pleaser: fondant au chocolat. Candles (bougies) + one wish, always.
Surprises: Fête surprise is very real here—group chat schemers unite.
Gifts, flowers & tiny minefields (I tripped so you don’t have to)
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Bring something: A nice bottle, good chocolates, a small thoughtful gift.
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Flower vibes: Skip chrysanthemums (funeral energy). Red roses skew romantic—mixed bouquets are safer.
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Cards: France isn’t “giant greeting card” land. A sweet note or message works perfectly.
The bill (a.k.a. end-of-night math)
Friends often cover the birthday person (or do a small cagnotte). Otherwise: split like civilized humans. Nudge the plan in the invite so nobody is Venmo-vibing in a panic.
Office birthdays (plot twist)
At work, the birthday person brings treats (croissants, cake, maybe a bottle of cider). Colleagues may add a card or small gift. Yes, it feels backwards at first. Yes, you’ll still eat two pains au chocolat.
Handy phrases you can steal
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Invite: “Je fête mon anniversaire samedi à 19h – apéro dînatoire chez moi. Tu viens ? (RSVP)”
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Thanks: “Merci pour ta venue et ton cadeau, ça m’a fait très plaisir !”
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Cake cue: “On chante ? Un, deux, trois… Joyeux anniversaire !”
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Work slack/WhatsApp: “J’apporte des viennoiseries demain pour mon anniversaire. Passez quand vous voulez !”
Host kits you can copy-paste
Adult apéro dînatoire (6–10 people)
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Savory: tapenade + bread, olives, crudités + anchoïade or herbed fromage blanc, mini quiches, pissaladière, charcuterie & cheese
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Sweet: your gâteau + fruit tartlets
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Drinks: rosé de Provence, still/sparkling water, one non-alcoholic option
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Gear: small plates, napkins, toothpicks, a lighter for candles, a chill playlist
Kids’ goûter (2.5 hours)
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Flow: arrival game → craft → cake + song → outdoor runaround → calm activity → pickup
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Supplies: cake + candles, paper goods, sirops + water, wipes, tiny favor bags, allergy note to parents
Mini language ladder (tips for every level)
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A1: Learn the essentials: Joyeux anniversaire, les bougies, un cadeau, un goûter, un apéro. Practice “Merci, c’est gentil !”
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A2: Invite a classmate with a simple text: date, time, place, RSVP. Add one line about food (Il y aura un gâteau au chocolat).
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B1: Host small talk at your party: Tu connais déjà… ?, Tu veux goûter la pissaladière ?, Encore un verre ?
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B2: Write a warm thank-you note with a specific compliment: Tes madeleines au citron ont disparu en 3 minutes.
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C1/C2: Master tone & nuance: playful toasts, gentle deflection of over-gift-ing, and a witty “speech” that lands in French.
Your turn 🍰
What surprised you about birthdays here—kids’ goûters, apéro dînatoire tactics, flower rules? Drop your best tips (or frosting disasters) in the comments. Bonus points for easy cake recipes that survive a bus ride across Aix without becoming abstract art.