[massphatness]

Many Happy Returns, Kristin!

Blowing out that big fat candle is not advised as you can potentially transmit pathogens through your spittle. Instead, I've seen video where a quick swipe of the hand across the top of the candle basically beats it into submission. Key is to strike fast and hard. I mean really bludgeon the thing. Not a playful slap -- more of a quick, angry, violent motion. That should do the trick.