THE TRADITIONS LIBRARY
Birthday Wishes
Before the birthday candles are blown out, everyone shares a wish for the person being celebrated. Then the birthday person makes a silent wish of their own.
Shared by:
The Traditions Library
0052
CATEGORY
Birthdays
FREQUENCY
Annually
AGES
All Ages
COST
Free
The Story Behind It
Birthday Wishes is a Traditions Library Original, created as a simple way to give the familiar birthday candle moment a little more room.
We usually invite the birthday person to make a wish. This tradition invites the people around them to offer one too: something joyful, hopeful, silly, or heartfelt for the year ahead. Together, those wishes become another way to say, “We love you, and we’re glad you’re here.”
What You'll Need
A birthday person and a few people who want to wish them well.
A cake or birthday treat and candles are optional. Use the candles you already have, choose battery-operated candles, or share the wishes without any candles at all.
Make It Your Own
Invite younger children to draw their wish or whisper it to someone who can help share it. Anyone who prefers can write theirs in a card or pass.
For a larger gathering, collect written wishes in a jar and read a few aloud. People celebrating from far away can send a message to include.
Keep wishes warm and free of expectations. “I hope you find something that makes you laugh every day” leaves room for the birthday person to be themselves. The wishes are gifts, with nothing they need to accomplish in return.
How It’s Done
After the birthday song, pause before the birthday person blows out the candles.
One at a time, everyone shares a wish aloud for the person being celebrated. You might wish them a wonderful adventure, more time doing something they love, a year full of laughter, or something wonderfully specific to who they are.
Try a beginning like:
• “My wish for you this year is…”
• “I hope this year brings you…”
• “I wish you lots of…”
If you like, add a candle to the cake as each person shares their wish, with an adult handling and lighting the candles.
Once everyone who wants to share has had a turn, the birthday person makes a silent wish of their own and blows out the candles.