Cake Surprise: How a Holiday Turned into a Comedy

It's amazing how some traditions survive for centuries, even if no one sees much meaning in them anymore. For example, a birthday cake with candles is a custom that emerged in Germany in the 18th century during the so-called "Kinderfest." Back then, children were given a cake with candles—one for each year of their life—and it was from there that the custom of blowing them out while making a wish originated.

Not much has changed since then. We still repeat this ritual—not only with children but also with adults.