Alternatives to Cake for Birthday Parties

While it's not a requirement to have cake on your birthday, it's a tradition that goes back to the ancient Greeks, some say. It is also said that a sweet kind of bread was given to commemorate the birth of the baby Jesus. According to Tokenz:The Gift Shop, there are different theories for the round shape that birthday cakes often take.

One theory is that many cakes were made by hand before being put in the oven and naturally fell into that shape. Other researches speculate that, in ancient times, the round shape represented the circular motion of life, the sun, and the moon. And why candles on a cake? This practice is credited to the Greeks, too, who, it is said, put them on cakes to give them a glow, like the moon. They would take cakes to honor the Goddess of the moon. Some believed, much like today, that the smoke from the candles would carry wishes made to the gods in the sky. So, that's a little bit of the history of the birthday cake. For more details, you'll enjoy Tokenz: The Gift Shop.

Sure, birthday cake has a lot of tradition, but not everyone likes cake, and there are plenty of alternatives to cake. There's no reason to feel locked into it. Cupcakes are a big thing for birthdays right now. I've seen a small round cake in the middle surrounded by cupcakes. There are even more alternatives to cake. Be creative! Think about what the person might want, and go from there.

One of my brothers has a summer birthday in July. Often, that time of year around here is sizzling hot. And since he isn't a huge fan of cake, my family has come up with some alternatives to cake for his birthday.

My brother does like traditional birthday cake all right, but it isn't his favorite thing for dessert. For his hot, summer birthdays, we have had cool cakes, such as Pepperidge Farm, or ice cream type pies from the freezer section.

A homemade no bake chocolate pudding peanut butter pie with Oreo crust and whipped topping is also a nice birthday cake alternative for summer! Nice and cool--perfect for the hot month of July.

One of our family July baby's favorite for birthdays is watermelon. It's light, cool, and refreshing. Cut in half, a watermelon holds a birthday candle or two (or more!) just fine. No traditional birthday cake needed!

For the colder months, try a warm pie, and don't leave off the ice cream. If you are so inclined, you can make a homemade chocolate, cherry, or apple pie, and warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave before adding the ice cream. What a treat! Or buy a frozen pie and do the same thing. Warm pie is a nice alternative to cake and will leave you warm and fuzzy inside and in need of a nap.

Another option is a fruit pizza, with a sugar cookie crust and fruit on top. Spread out your cookie dough on a pizza pan and bake it. After it cools, spread on your choice of frosting (such as cream cheese frosting!) and slices of any type of fruit of your choosing. This birthday option is cool and refreshing, while offering healthy and colorful servings of fruit.

Another option is picking up a decadent dessert pizza from your favorite pizza joint. One year, my family picked up a chocolate pizza from CiCi's pizza. Being the chocoholic who loves pizza that I am, this was a perfect choice for my birthday. I also recently made a really good chocolate pizza at home.

Another great idea for birthdays is fruit. Push that birthday cake aside and opt for fruit salad! For our family's summer birthdays, we have often bought a watermelon and stuck a candle in it. Especially in the heat, watermelon and other fruit really hit the spot. If your birthday person is health-conscious, he or she might appreciate this birthday alternative whatever time of year.

Branch out for birthdays. The birthday cake, rich in tradition, taste, and calories, is always an option, but there are more options. It's a birthday! A party! Have fun with what you choose!