Why Do We Blow Out Birthday Candles? The Story Behind the Tradition!

Hi there, friends! 🎂 Have you ever thought about why we blow out candles on our birthday cakes? Like, why do we make a wish and then whoosh—all the candles go out? Well, grab your party hat and a slice of cake because we’re going back in time to uncover this sweet tradition’s story!

It Started a Long, Long Time Ago… in Ancient Greece!

A looooong time ago, in Ancient Greece, people didn’t have birthday cakes like we do today. But they did love celebrating their favorite goddess, Artemis! Artemis was the goddess of the moon, and guess what her favorite treat was? A round honey cake with candles on top that looked like the glowing moon! They lit the candles to honor her and thought the smoke carried their wishes up to the skies. 🌕

Birthdays in Germany: The Big Kid Tradition!

Fast forward to the 1700s in Germany, and birthdays started getting a LOT more fun for kids. They had a special celebration called “Kinderfest” (which means “kids' party” in German). On the morning of their birthday, kids would get a cake with as many candles as their age—plus one extra for good luck! They would blow out the candles and make a wish, just like we do now. Pretty cool, right?

Why the Wishing?

The wishing part came from the idea that birthday candles were magical. People believed that if you made a wish while blowing out all the candles in one breath, your wish would come true—but only if you kept it a secret! So… what did you wish for last year? 😉

How Did This Come to the U.S.?

By the 1800s, people from Germany brought the birthday cake and candle tradition to the United States. Over time, it became the birthday party we all know and love—filled with cake, singing, candles, and lots of fun!

Try This at Your Next Party! 🎉

Want to make your birthday candles even more magical? Here’s a fun Foxy Pals activity:

• Cut out a piece of paper in the shape of a candle flame.

• Write your secret wish on it.

• Fold it up and keep it in a special jar until your next birthday!

Fun Foxy Challenge! 🦊

Draw your dream birthday cake! Is it chocolate, vanilla, or maybe rainbow? How many candles would you need? Fiona Fox LOVES seeing your creative ideas, so share them with us, and you might get a shoutout on the blog!

Now You Know!

The next time you blow out birthday candles, remember—you’re part of a tradition that’s been around for thousands of years! Pretty awesome, right? And don’t forget to make the best wish ever! 🎂✨