7 ways to blow out your candles without spreading germs
As things are gradually returning to normal and we are learning to live with Covid-19 some children’s party traditions are having to change or at least be tweaked a little to prevent the spread of the virus. One that I have been researching is that of the ‘blowing out the candles’ on the cake. Now, I don’t know about you, but I just hadn’t ever considered the germy implications of someone blowing out candles on the cake. I do not know why, because after reading about it and hearing other people’s thoughts on the matter I now have that yucky sicky feeling when I think about it. So much so that I may not eat someone else’s birthday cake ever again…
One notable study has measured the risks and in 2017 Professor Dawson at Clemson University found that after having candles blown out on a cake, it will have on average over 1400% more germs. If it is particularly slobbery this can be increased to a gross 12000%. I have watched many a child literally spit all over the cake but just never made the connection.
However, it is tradition to blow out the candles and I personally will be sad to see it go. After looking up further where the tradition started there does not seem to be any immediate guidance other than some evidence-based recordings over history where cakes and candles have been connected. This includes in Ancient Greece the worship of the moon Goddess Artemis. The cake is though to represent the moon and the candles the light. In Germany it is thought to go back to Kinderfest (a children’s birthday celebration) where the candles are thought to help protect the child from evil. The number of candles represents the number of years. Switzerland has recorded similar traditions to this and in Pagan history candles again help ward off evil spirits.
Traditions related to food in this case the blowing out the candles on a birthday cake are also connected to us feeling good and enjoying the food more as a result (eater.com). It would be a shame to stop the tradition all together. Obviously, the way things are now it would be a good idea to find another alternative or create a new tradition to continue that nice feeling we get when we do this. So here are some of our suggestions that we have seen people doing.
7 ways to blow out your candles without spreading your germs.
1. If it is a shop bought cake stick candles with the wax to the top of the box to blow out the candles, then cut the cake later.
2. If it is possible to do without damaging what the cake looks like, you could cover the cake in clingfilm before putting the candles in.
3. Use a hairdryer to blow out your candles.
4. You could waft or fan the candles out using your arms and hands.
5. Put all candles in one area then cut out that piece of cake with the birthday child. Followed by blowing the candles out on just that part.
6. Blow all the candles out individually as demonstrated by Nuffield Health.
7. Or, Get a smash cake and start a new tradition – just don’t forget that all important wish.
At Partybox Ltd we have had a go at some of the techniques above to blow out the candles on a cake and it hasn’t been without its issues. To find out our favourite way of doing it from now on you can watch the video and visit our YouTube channel here.
Partybox Ltd on YouTube blowing out candles.