Plenty of countries celebrate someone’s 50th birthday as a huge milestone, but the Dutch do it differently.
Yes, yet another weird tradition when it comes to celebrating the golden birthday in the Netherlands.
Namely, calling the celebrant “Abraham” for men or “Sarah” for women and filling their home and/or office with very questionable decoration. 🤨
What is it?
Indeed, Dutchies love to wish you a happy birthday, and bestowing the name Abraham or Sarah upon anyone who turns 50 is just one way of celebrating.
The wild home or office decorations might include funky inflatables and possibly embarrassing posters.
One of my colleagues turned 50 today! In the Netherlands, this means she is Sarah(the male version is Abraham) Here’s what we teased her with pic.twitter.com/tN2tC99QpV
— NLers: Archive (@Netherlanders) January 14, 2020
Picture plenty of 50th birthday memorabilia from streamers and hats to cake toppers and cards.
Then, the main event: big 50 lettering and the names “Abraham” and “Sarah” strewn everywhere.
But here’s the million-euro question: who on earth are Abraham and Sarah?! 🤔
Why do they do it?
Well, it turns out that these weirdly specific names are biblical references to two people, Abraham and Sarah, who lived until very old age.
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Once you turn 50, you’re old enough to be “visited” by Abraham or Sarah, who pass on their wisdom from old age.
That is to say, you’ve become a wise person through years of experience. And because it’s so important to the Dutch, they go all out with the decorations.
Vandaag 50 jaar mogen worden #Abraham pic.twitter.com/9ORyTlNNzQ
— Jimmy Boy (@lubbertras) September 7, 2021
Turning 50 is worth all the congratulations and decorative excitement, so they don’t shy away from the potentially embarrassing decor.
Overall, it’s a sweet sentiment — you’ve lived long enough to gain all this wisdom and experience, and it’s a milestone worth celebrating. 🥳
Why is it quirky?
It’s interesting that the Dutch still use Bible stories as part of a tradition for a non-religious celebration.
Granted, the Netherlands was known for being a Calvinist country in the past, but religion is not as important for a majority of Dutch people as it used to be.
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To the average person, the Dutch are just throwing around random names for people turning 50.
Should you join in?
For sure! It’s always fun to celebrate a birthday, and Dutchies like to make 50th birthdays even more special.
Doesn’t this birthday feest (party) look so fun and wholesome?
Just know if you’re celebrating this special birthday here, prepare for lots of funny (or embarrassing) decor. 😉
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below! 👇
I think you have missed the obvious Biblical origin of this custom, which has nothing to do with Abraham and Sarah living to a great old age (which they did not by Old Testament standards). See John’s Gospel chapter 8, where in verse 53 Jesus’ Jewish questioners ask him, “Are you greater than our father Abraham?” Jesus answers in verse 56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” Totally misunderstanding, they replied, “You are not yet 50 years old and you have seen Abraham!” (verse 57) The inference in the Dutch custom is that if you are 50 years old you have seen Abraham (or his wife Sarah).