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Blowing out candles on a cake is a classic birthday celebration. Lighting candles is a special tradition that’s been celebrated all over the world since Roman times, and it’s one that many children and adults enjoy.
But many people aren’t sure about the social etiquette surrounding birthday candles, which can make it tricky if you’re putting them on the cake.
If you’re prepping a birthday party, you might wonder how many candles to put on a cake for a child, an adult, or someone you don’t know very well. It’s a good idea to use candles to reflect a child’s actual age, while you can opt for a more minimalist candle display for adults.
So, how many candles should you put on a birthday cake?
The good news is that it’s up to you, but here are some popular options to get you started!
Key Takeaways
How Many Candles for a Birthday Cake?
The number of candles you should put on a birthday cake depends on a few things:
First, you’ll want to consider the age of the person celebrating their birthday. For example, if they’re turning 10 years old, you would put 10 candles on the cake.
Next, you’ll want to think about the size of the cake and how many candles will fit comfortably without overcrowding the cake or making it difficult to light them all. You could also consider using number candles instead of individual ones to make things easier.
Finally, you should consider any special requests or traditions the birthday person may have. Some people like to put extra candles on their cake for good luck, while others may want to keep things simple with just a few candles.
How Many Candles to Put on a Birthday Cake for Children?
Celebrate a child’s special day by putting a candle on their birthday cakes for every year they’ve lived. If you want to add an extra touch of good luck cheer, try putting an extra candle on the cake to grow on.
For example, if your child turns 5, you can put 5 candles on the cake. Add a 6th candle if you wish.
If you put the exact number of candles to equal a child’s age, there are a couple of options. You can add individual candles to make up the number or a numeral candle showing the birthday boy or girl’s age. Have fun with it. The choice is up to you!
How Many Candles for an Adult Birthday Cake?
Who says anyone is too old for candles? Unless the adult whose birthday you’re celebrating doesn’t want their age spelled out, you can add a numeral candle to celebrate their special day.
While 21 candles might seem overwhelming if you’re celebrating your adult child’s 21st birthday, for example, that’s not to say that grandma might not enjoy a cake overflowing with candles to celebrate how long she’s been a cherished part of the family.
If the cake is for a special occasion, like a milestone birthday, you may want to put more candles on the cake. For example, for a 30th birthday, you could put 3 candles on the cake. If you are unsure how many candles to put on the cake, you can ask the birthday person how many they would like. The answer may surprise you!
Birthday cake etiquette for adults usually means sticking to two or 3 candles. That’s because 40 candles might not fit on a cake. The person might also not want to make a big deal about their age.
If you’re unsure how many to add, you can always go minimalist with a couple or ask the birthday person what they would like.
How Many Candles for Someone You Don’t Know Well?
There are few things trickier than sticking candles onto a cake if you’re unsure about the person’s age.
If you know the person well enough to guess, you can add a candle for every year they’ve been alive and pop on an extra candle for good luck. An extra-lit candle is considered good luck in many cultures, and it’s a good rule of thumb if you’re unsure how many to put on the cake.
If you don’t have enough information, then it’s wise to err on caution. Put just one candle on the cake to avoid accidentally making the person look a lot older than they are.
Try putting 15 to 25 candles on the cake and decoratively arrange them to make the candles look festive, but not too specific if you haven’t a clue about someone’s age. It is a tradition in Kinderfeste that if all the candles are blown out in one breath, a wish will come true.
How Many Candles Should You Put on a Milestone Birthday Cake?
If someone is excited about celebrating a big milestone birthday, such as their 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, or 50th birthday, adding one (1) candle for every year of their age is appropriate.
Since some adults may not want to blow out 30 or 40 candles, and it can be cumbersome to try to fit that many candles on a cake, some people opt to add two or three candles.
You can also buy a birthday numeral candle for the appropriate age and let the party begin.
When Should You Stop Putting Candles on a Birthday Cake?
There’s no hard and fast rule that you have to stop putting candles on a birthday cake at a certain again.
A good rule of thumb is to pay attention to the birthday person’s personal preferences. At the same time, many people think there’s a time when it’s appropriate to stop putting candles on a birthday cake. Most consider this age to fall somewhere between 18-21 years old.
At this age, the individual is viewed as an adult who no longer needs candles on their cake to celebrate their special day since they’re capable of blowing out the candles on their own.
If you, your child, friends, or family still enjoy blowing out candles, then there’s really no reason to stop.
Fun Variations
But no rule says you have to put the same number of candles on the cake for every year of age. There are many fun variations for how many candles to put on a cake.
One great idea is to use the age in candles, but light one less than their age (e.g., if they’re turning 9, place 8 candles).
This helps prevent an overly crowded cake and gives them something special to look forward to for their next big birthday. Another idea is adding a few extra special “golden” or “sparkly” candles into the mix; this helps make it stand out from all other cakes!
Finally, why not add even more excitement with sparklers attached directly to the top layer?
Creative Ideas
When it comes to a birthday cake, nothing is more iconic than candles. We all remember singing “Happy Birthday” and watching the birthday person struggle to blow out all the flames.
But how many candles should you put on the cake?
It depends on who you’re celebrating, but here are some creative ideas for an unforgettable birthday!
If your loved one is turning 16, you can place sixteen single-digit candles in a number pattern to make their age stand out.
You can also use colorful candles in any pattern of your choice or even write out words like “happy” or “love” with individual letter candles.
For those celebrating milestone birthdays (like 21 or 30), large spiral numbers around the sides of your cake for that extra special touch.
Safety Tips
To go over some safety tips, let us share a little story.
A friend was having an 80th birthday party for his mom at the club, and he thought, “What can I do for her birthday?”
He decided to put all 80 candles on the cake. First, the cake started to melt. Then, unfortunately, when she blew out the candles, smoke triggered the smoke alarm, which meant a visit with club officials and the fire department. “And we all got yelled at and told, ‘They’ll be no more candles at the yacht club.’”
To ensure your party goes off without a hitch and everyone remains safe, here are some safety tips for how many candles to put on a cake.
First, consider the age of the person celebrating their birthday when deciding how many candles to use.
For young children, it’s best practice to stick with one candle or five at most so that there aren’t too many lit flames on top of the cake near small hands!
If you’re celebrating someone older, you can choose between 10-15 regular-sized candles.
FAQs
How do you put birthday candles on a cake?
Putting birthday candles on a cake is a simple process that can add a lot of fun and excitement to any birthday celebration! Here are the basic steps to follow:
1- Choose the right size and type of candles. You’ll want to make sure that the candles you choose are appropriate for the size of the cake and can be easily lit.
2- Decide on the number of candles to use. This will depend on the age of the person celebrating their birthday and any special requests or traditions they may have.
3-Light the candles. Before you put the candles on the cake, make sure you light them. This will make it easier to arrange them on the cake without accidentally blowing them out.
Why do people put an extra candle on a birthday cake?
The tradition of adding an extra candle on a birthday cake has different interpretations and origins depending on the culture or region. Here are a few possible reasons:
1- To represent good luck: Some people believe that adding an extra candle brings good luck for the coming year. The extra candle represents an extra year of good luck.
2-To symbolize growth: The extra candle can be seen as a symbol of growth or personal development. It represents the growth and progress made over the past year and the hope for continued growth in the future.
The Last Slice
When celebrating a birthday, candles on the cake are a must. It’s not just about the fun of making a wish and blowing out each one, but also about tradition and making memories.
So how many candles should you put on a birthday cake?
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how many candles you put on a cake. While there are general rules of thumb for children and adults, it’s important to take the birthday person’s wishes into consideration.
Many kids enjoy blowing out many candles, but that doesn’t mean that adults won’t like it, either. Keep in mind that if someone is having a big milestone birthday or might not feel happy to be reminded that they’re another year older, it may make sense to opt for just two or three candles.
If you or your loved one enjoys lots of candles, there’s no reason to skip blowing out candles on a cake. The little things can make a celebration feel more festive and fun!