My SIL did the fairy thing with her daughter on her birthday, she told her that fairies come and because your turning x now your too big for the dummy.
She told her the fairy leaves an extra special birthday present just for you for being such a big girl, she also asked about it for a couple of days but is now well and truly over it.

It's a great idea and i am sooo glad it worked for you!

Hmm sucking the thumb is hard my mum tried putting the gross nail stuff on but after a while i got used to the taste.
My BIL has told his little girl if she keeps sucking her thumb or biting her nails he wont paint her nails anymore and they wont look pretty!