The following article, originally published in 1921, tells how people were making wishes during that time.
Beliefs About Wishes
Bride’s Home
Make a wish on your first visit to a bride’s home.
Rainbow
On seeing a rainbow, make a wish and it will come true.
Bridal Carriage
Make a wish when you see a bridal carriage turn over a corner.
Falling Star
If you see a star fall say “Money, money, money” and you’ll get it.
Dead Bird
If you find a dead bird, bury it under a pine tree and make a wish.
New Moon
On sight of a new moon, looking over your left shoulder, make a wish.
Newborn
Make a wish when you hold a newborn baby in your arms for the first time.
Tooth
If you have a tooth extracted, throw it over your left shoulder and make a wish on it.
Conversation
If in your conversation you unconsciously make a rhyme, you can make a wish on it.
Clover
Find a four-leaf clover, put it in your shoe, and make a wish. Wear it until your wish comes true.
Same Word
If you and another person say the same word simultaneously you are entitled to make a wish.
Stone Throw
If you can wish before the first circle disappears when you throw a stone into the water, you will get your wish.
Wishbone
Place a broken wishbone over the door and the first person going through the door will get what he wished for,
Seven Rings
Turn seven rings on seven different hands, making the same wish every time you turn the ring, and after turning the seventh ring, your wish will come true.
Source: Bogalusa enterprise and American. (Bogalusa, La.), 20 Jan. 1921.
