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Etiquette expert reveals the unhygienic birthday party tradition that disgusts her - and shares a cleaner alternative
An etiquette expert has weighed in a common birthday tradition that has become controversial for spreading a slew of germs.
Barbara Wallraff, a columnist for the Boston Globe, found nifty alternatives for blowing out candles without spraying germs all over cakes.
She gathered clever tips from people who offered useful hacks to avoid bacteria from hitting the delicious party treat.
During the pandemic, Stephanie Nurenberg, of Northampton, found that it was best to sing 'and then an adult takes the candles out of the cake, and each participant gets to blow one out.'
Wallraff added that 'some fine-tuning' might have to be done with that method as a party for a child would obviously have far less candles than that of a 90-year-old.
During the pandemic, Stephanie Nurenberg, of Northampton, found that it was best to sing 'and then an adult takes the candles out of the cake, and each participant gets to blow one out.' (pictured: Kim Kardashian blowing out candles on her 30th birthday in 2010)
Barbara Wallraff, a columnist for the Boston Globe , gathered some clever tips from people around the nation who found clever alternatives for blowing out birthday candles without spraying germs all over cakes
Tom Hayden, of Chelmsford, informed Wallraff of the new 'joke candles' trend that are being sold online.
Hayden recommended searching for 'make a safe wish candle holder' or 'clean wish candle holders' which have suction cups holders at the end of each candle that stick to the cake packaging.
Margaret Yorganjian, of Charlestown, suggested another clever hack for avoiding germs on birthday cakes.
She revealed that her family has turned to placing wax paper or plastic wrap on top of cakes, then using candles to poke holes through to create an outline of the person's age on top.
Yorganjian said: 'So instead of, for instance, 12 separate candles, one only has a decorative larger-sized number 1 and number 2. 'It works!'
'Make a safe wish candle holder' (pictured) or 'clean wish candle holders' which have suction cups holders at the end of each candle that stick to the outside packaging of cakes
Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is seen ringing in her birthday in October 1999 as she takes a big breath to blow out the many candles
Susan J. Evans, from Carlisle, shared a disturbing birthday experience with Wallraff she will never forget.
'I do have a memory that might make you smile,' Evans said.
'I attended a birthday party years ago for a local woman turning 98. She huffed and puffed and blew out the candles.
'But along with that breath came her dentures, landing on the cake!'
A team of researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina previously found that the saliva spread from blowing out birthday candles increases bacteria in the icing by 1,400 percent.
Dr. Paul Dawson, a professor at the university, conducted the study with a group of his undergraduate students to get them thinking about food safety.
The research team put frosting on a piece of foil atop a cake-shaped Styrofoam wheel, which they stuck candles in.
Margaret Yorganjian suggested placing wax paper or plastic wrap on top of cakes, then using candles to poke holes through to create an outline of the person's age on top. (pictured: Actress Sofia Vergara blowing out her birthday candles in July 2011)
Before blowing out the candles, they all ate pizza, to 'simulate a birthday party,' and 'help the salivary glands get going.'
They then lit the candles and blew them out.
The team of researchers found that there was a lot of bacteria, but more surprisingly, that each blow resulted in different types of bacteria.
On average, blowing out the candles caused the frosting to grow 14 times as much bacteria.
However, in one case, it was increased by more than 120 times, suggesting certain people transfer more bacteria than others.