Individual-sized cakes serve as an unexpected alternative to the traditional birthday cake.
For a whimsical alternative to a cake, the birthday cupcake is a fun choice for a birthday party for any age. If you're looking for a way for the cupcakes to compliment the theme of your party--or help focus a theme, if you don't already have one--consider your many options. If you can't settle on an idea, remember than you're trying to celebrate the birthday person and think about what makes that person unique. Does this Spark an idea?
Activity-Themed Cupcakes
Usually based on the lifestyle of the birthday person, an activity-themed cupcake celebrates a certain sport or hobby. For example, if a six-year-old is enthralled with baseball, turn every cupcake into a baseball. Other designs could include a baseball diamond or a baseball bat. If your birthday friend is a NASCAR enthusiast, design your cupcakes with little NASCAR cars; if your friend loves gambling, try using card suits or dice.
Animal-Themed Cupcakes
An idea more geared toward kids than adults, animal-themed cupcakes involve turning a cupcake into the likeness of a particular animal. Put two green eyes on a cupcake, and it's a frog; stick two gingerbread cookie halves in, add a cherry nose and two eyes, and it's a dog. The Disney FamilyFun website shows instructions on make a cat using liquorice for whiskers, M&Ms for a mouth and peppermint patty triangles for ears. Martha Stewart's site offers a recipe for making a hedgehog design cupcake, as well as a spider and bee design. Use a child's favorite animal or multiple animals for a zoo or wilderness theme.
Character-Themed Cupcakes
At any given point, a child will be most drawn to a particular television show or cartoon character, such as Thomas the Tank Engine or Dora the Explorer. Cupcakes can be decorated with a likeness of these characters (just their faces, if it's easier) or moments from the show.
Classic-Themed Cupcakes
For a less whimsically designed birthday party, stick with the basics: the birthday person's name, for example, or flowers, or an abstract design. Learn the basic cupcake design techniques from the site Cupcake Decorating Ideas and study the main icing techniques: rosette, shell, star, basket, rope, leaves and ruffle. Play around with these until you feel you have a design that reflects the birthday person (or just something you think looks great).
Brand-Themed Cupcakes
A brand-loyal adult or child would be thrilled to see cupcakes decorated with the logo of his favorite brand. Examples include a computer or electronics company logo, automobile brand logos or clothing company logos.
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