Rethinking Birthday Candles: A (Slightly) More Hygienic Take

Whoa, what?! Who said that?? After the year+ we've all had, can we not just leave birthday candles ALONE!? A lot of venues and restaurants in London we deliver to are now enforcing a ban on blowing candles on birthday cakes and such. It does make the most sense, and frankly, even without Covid in the mix.

Rethinking Birthday Traditions in a Post-Pandemic World

See, before the pandemic, I've always hated handshakes. Hugs are cool, because I'm only hugging people close to me anyway, not strangers I've just met. And hugs usually involve contact between FULLY CLOTHED bodies, duh. But handshakes? Eww, no. According to some research, some 69% of men don't wash their hands after going to the loo. A graceful Namaste instead? Yes please. It's elegant, germ-free, and far less likely to leave me wondering whose public-transport–pub-loo bacteria I’ve just collected.

So really, no need to swap germs through direct hand contact. And definitely no need to mock my culture while doing a Namaste — that’ll get you cancelled faster than an underbaked sponge.

Candles and Hygiene: A Closer Look

What does this have to do with birthday candles? Why be such a killjoy? Because birthday candles are usually perched proudly on a cake before being blown out with great ceremony — and a generous spray of airborne enthusiasm. If you're celebrating solo or only slicing for those in your inner circle, then fine, puff away. But in enclosed public spaces like restaurants or pubs? Blowing directly onto a cake (and into the air) with gusto is… not the most hygienic choice.

Yes, blowing candles is fun, dramatic and photogenic. But you can get all the sparkle without the spit. Sparklers, popping balloons, or confetti cannons are great alternatives. Restaurants tend to prefer sparklers over confetti chaos — but it’s always best to check. And if you’re picking up something show-stopping, you can always browse our joyful children’s cakes or go classic with a towering Funfetti favourite.

So if it took a pandemic to get us washing our hands more and shaking them less… perhaps it’s also time to stop blowing germs onto cakes? Personally, I prefer my cake without a side of spit.

If you’ve ever wondered why birthday cakes matter so much, you’ll enjoy this little read: Why Everyone Needs a Birthday Cake.

Love, Reshmi xoxo

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