[honeychile]

Just an idea: has anyone else seen the little imitation tea lights? I saw a set of six at a grocery store (!) for less than a dollar each - I think $3.99. They're about half the size of a votive candle, and turn on & off with a tiny switch on the bottom. Granted, it wouldn't be the same as getting to blow out a candle (congratulations again, ADqtPiMel!), but passing something like that, with an easy to reach, yet unobstrusive switch on the bottom could be the answer. They'd work for Pref, too, just for the sisters, though, not for PNMs.

I've seen them MUCH more expensive in catalogs, but that one catalog that works on bulk (Oriental Trading Company, I think) might have them at a reasonable cost.

I know at Alpha Iota, they're been using the type that the "flame" screws on & off, and it's nasty! Ever since the last (ritual where it's important), I've been trying to think of how to have a Y-shaped extension in the back, with a switch on each side of the Y...

As for a Candle Pass, at another very unstructured group I'm in, we do something similar, only we pass a "magic wand". The one who would blow out the candle either turns on the wand (if it's dark) or turns it off (if it's light) - then usually waves it like crazy!!