
There are differing opinions on whether one should blow out birthday candles before or after singing Happy Birthday. Some people believe that the song should be sung first to build up excitement, while others argue that the candles should be blown out at the end of the song. Interestingly, some families have their own unique traditions, with one person mentioning that their husband's family sings Happy Birthday after the candles are blown out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Singing before blowing out the candles | Builds up excitement |
| Singing after blowing out the candles | Loses the significance of blowing the candles |
| Singing before blowing out the candles | Common practice |
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What You'll Learn

Singing before blowing out candles builds excitement
There are differing opinions on whether you should blow out the candles before or after singing "Happy Birthday". Some people argue that singing before blowing out the candles builds excitement for the big moment. The song creates a sense of anticipation, leading up to the climax of the candle-blowing. This order of events also allows everyone to cheer and applaud after the candles are blown out, marking the occasion with a celebratory atmosphere.
Singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing out the candles can be seen as a way to honour the birthday boy or girl. The song serves as an introduction or announcement, signalling to everyone that it's time for the guest of honour to make their wish and blow out the candles. This sequence of events ensures that the birthday boy or girl has the spotlight during the candle-blowing moment, making it a memorable and special experience for them.
Additionally, singing before blowing out the candles can help create a sense of unity and participation among the guests. By engaging in the song together, everyone is involved in the celebration, leading up to the exciting moment when the candles are extinguished. This collective participation enhances the joy and festivity of the occasion.
Moreover, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing out the candles can be practical in terms of timing. It ensures that the song doesn't interrupt the candle-blowing moment. If the song is sung first, it creates a natural pause before the wish is made and the candles are blown out, allowing the birthday boy or girl to take their time and savour the experience.
While traditions may vary among families, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing out the candles can enhance the excitement and significance of the moment. It builds anticipation, focuses attention on the guest of honour, encourages participation, and ensures a seamless celebration. Whether it's a birthday or any other occasion involving candles and singing, considering the order of these rituals can indeed influence the overall experience and atmosphere of the event.
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Singing after extinguishing the candles is an abomination
It is quite surprising to see how families can have different traditions when it comes to something as seemingly universal as blowing out birthday candles. While some families sing 'Happy Birthday' before blowing out the candles, others do it after.
However, there is a strong case to be made that singing after blowing out the candles is an abomination and should be avoided. Here are several reasons why:
Firstly, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing out the candles builds excitement and anticipation for the big moment. The song serves as a countdown to the climax of the celebration, which is the blowing of the candles. By singing beforehand, you create a sense of anticipation and joy that culminates in the wish-making and candle-blowing moment.
Secondly, singing before blowing out the candles ensures that the birthday boy or girl is the center of attention during the song. As the cake is brought into the room, the song begins, and everyone joins in, creating a festive atmosphere. The birthday boy or girl feels special and celebrated as the song is directed towards them.
Additionally, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing out the candles allows for a smooth transition into the wish-making moment. After the song ends, there is a natural pause where the birthday person can take a moment to gather their thoughts, make a wish, and then blow out the candles. This sequence of events creates a seamless flow to the celebration.
Moreover, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing out the candles is simply more practical. If you sing after blowing out the candles, the song may be interrupted by the sound of people clapping or cheering for the birthday person. Singing beforehand ensures that the song is uninterrupted and everyone can join in without distraction.
Finally, tradition dictates that the candles are blown out at the end of the song. The structure of "Happy Birthday" leads to a natural conclusion, and blowing out the candles at that moment feels instinctive and fitting. Doing it any other way can feel awkward and disjointed.
In conclusion, while different families may have their own unique traditions, singing "Happy Birthday" after blowing out the candles can be considered an abomination. It detracts from the excitement, disrupts the flow of the celebration, and takes away from the significance of the candle-blowing moment. To ensure a joyful and seamless birthday celebration, it is best to stick to the time-honored tradition of singing before blowing out the candles.
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The birthday boy/girl should blow out the candles as the song ends
There are differing opinions on whether the birthday song should be sung before or after the candles are blown out. Some people believe that the song should be sung first, as it builds up excitement for the big moment of blowing out the candles. This also allows for a pause in the song for the birthday boy or girl to make their wish before extinguishing the flames.
On the other hand, some families have the tradition of singing the song after the candles are blown out. This can be seen as a way to celebrate the person whose birthday it is after they have made their wish and officially "ended" their birthday, so to speak.
However, the general consensus seems to be that the birthday boy or girl should blow out the candles as the song ends. This way, the song serves as a build-up to the exciting moment of candle-blowing and wish-making, and then any remaining notes of the song can be sung as a celebratory finish.
To ensure a seamless birthday celebration, it is recommended that the person bringing in the cake starts singing the song as they enter the room, so that the birthday boy or girl can blow out the candles as the song concludes. This also allows for any wishes to be made discreetly during the singing.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some families have unique traditions, such as singing the song after the candles are blown out, which may seem unusual to others but is equally valid.
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Blowing out candles before the song interrupts the flow
Blowing out the candles before the song is unconventional and interrupts the flow of the birthday celebration. The "Happy Birthday" song is a ritual that precedes the blowing of the candles, building excitement and anticipation for the grand moment. Singing the song first allows everyone to focus on the birthday boy or girl, creating a memorable experience.
Traditionally, the cake is brought into the room while everyone sings, and the candles are blown out at the end of the song. This sequence of events ensures that the birthday tradition is seamless and meaningful. Blowing the candles before the song would disrupt this well-known ritual, potentially causing confusion and a loss of momentum.
The song serves as a build-up to the climax of blowing out the candles, making it a special and anticipated moment. By singing first, the birthday celebrant can make a wish, adding to the magic of the occasion. Blowing the candles beforehand would rush this process, detracting from the significance of the wish-making moment.
Additionally, singing "Happy Birthday" after the candles are blown out can feel anticlimactic. The song is meant to be a joyous preamble to the candle-blowing, with everyone joining in to celebrate the occasion. By singing it after the candles are extinguished, the impact of this collective celebration diminishes, and the flow of the birthday ritual is disrupted.
While some families may have their unique traditions, adhering to the standard order of singing, then blowing out the candles, maintains the familiar rhythm of a birthday celebration. It allows everyone to participate in a unified way, ensuring that the birthday boy or girl feels special and celebrated without interruption to the time-honored custom.
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Singing Happy Birthday before blowing the candles is the right way
There are differing opinions on the "right" time to blow out birthday candles in relation to the birthday song. However, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing the candles is the more popular opinion.
Singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing the candles is the right way to do it. The birthday song is a great way to build up excitement before the big moment of blowing the candles. Singing before blowing the candles ensures that the birthday boy or girl can properly make their wish(es) and then blow out the candles at the end of the song. This way, the birthday song gets everyone's attention and creates a sense of anticipation for the candle-blowing moment.
Additionally, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing the candles is a more logical sequence of events. The song is a way to celebrate the person whose birthday it is, and it makes sense to sing praises before presenting them with the cake and allowing them to blow out the candles. This way, the birthday song serves as an introduction to the cake-cutting ceremony and creates a clear distinction between the two parts of the celebration.
Furthermore, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing the candles is a more inclusive way to celebrate. By singing the song first, everyone can join in and participate in the celebration, even those who may not be able to blow out the candles. This way, the birthday boy or girl can still be the star of the show by blowing out the candles while everyone else joins in the festivities by singing.
Also, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing the candles is a safer option. By blowing the candles after the song, there is a risk of hot wax or flames being accidentally transferred across the room if the cake is being carried while singing. By blowing the candles first, the cake can then be safely brought to the birthday boy or girl, and the song can be sung without the risk of any accidents.
Finally, singing "Happy Birthday" before blowing the candles is a more memorable way to celebrate. By building up the anticipation with the song, the moment of blowing out the candles becomes more significant and festive. This way, the birthday boy or girl can feel truly special, and the guests can join in the excitement, creating a lasting memory for everyone involved.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no correct time to blow out the candles. Some people prefer to blow out the candles before the song, while others prefer to do it after. It's entirely a matter of preference.
Blowing out the candles before the song can give the birthday boy or girl more time to make a wish. It also allows the cake to be served immediately without the wax dripping on it.
Singing before blowing out the candles can be seen as a build-up to the moment of making a wish. It also ensures that the birthday boy or girl has time to fully enjoy the song before blowing out the candles.











































