Tired of the same ol’ store bought birthday cakes that sort of match your child’s favorite movie, character or activity, (with “sort of” being the operative phrase here) and the practically inedible ready made “Happy Birthday” letters placed on top?

Me too – until I learned to make my own birthday cakes.

You really don’t have to be a decorating wiz to create a brilliant birthday cake.

The best ideas will come from the guest of honor. If the birthday boy or girl is a child, this will be easy.

Most children are very vocal about their favorite thing whether this be a type of animal, movie character, hobby or place. This is a great starting place for a theme cake!

Coming up with an idea for a birthday theme cake for a grown-up is essentially the same. If the cake is for someone else’s spouse, friend, etc. the person asking you to make the cake should have a good idea of the birthday gal or guy’s passions.

And if the birthday party has a theme then the cake can be created to match. A theme birthday cake doesn’t have to be expensive to make. All that’s required is some imagination, and a sense of fun and creativity with items found in the kitchen.

Take the beach or Hawaiian cake for example, such as the one from “Cake Decorating Made Easy!”

By the way, here’s what one reader said about our Video Books:

“If you are new to decorating or an old pro, you’ll learn something new and helpful from these books. They are WONDERFUL!!!”

Thelma Gonzales, Tucson, Arizona

After covering a sheet cake with a smooth coat of buttercream, you can easily create the ocean and beach by simply using blue icing or gel. Apply it in a way that provides a curvy shoreline.

Then the sandy beach could be crushed graham crackers mixed with powdered sugar. If this is a Hawaiian black sand beach, create it with Oreo cookie crumbs. The white frosting, crumbled with the cookies, will add a natural touch.

Now that you have created your water and beach, plop some lifesavers into the sea, plant a few cocktail umbrellas in the sand, and cut some fruit tape into miniature beach blankets, and you’re just about there.

You may want to purchase a few extra’s, such as a dolphin or hula dancer miniature figurine and some tiny plastic palm trees, but that’s about it! If you enjoy modeling, try creating the figures and objects with gum paste.

Another type of theme cake can be made very easily from a mold. You can find a mold for just about any character a child could want. If there isn’t one in your local craft or baking supply store, search online at cake decorating websites.

Another tip: Puns will often send young children into fits of giggles just over the pure craftiness of a word play.

If the child likes birds, or a cartoon bird, such as Tweety or Big Bird, find a mold for the favorite bird, then after icing the cake, add this message on the cake: “Happy Bird-Day!”

Now, think of some other themes that you can decorate using inexpensive garnishments or household items you already have.

Don’t be afraid to brainstorm before making decisions. Have fun with it, and you’ll come up with a great birthday cake!

In choosing the filling and frosting flavors, take a cue from the birthday gal or guy.

The actual cake too should be a favorite of the party’s honoree. If you’re not sure, ask the family or friends.

Instead of those store bought “Happy Birthday” letters, pipe the message using an icing bag, buttercream icing and round tip. Practice first.

If piping letters is difficult for you, print out the letters, trace onto waxed paper, and do a buttercream transfer or use a toothpick to prick through the letters into the icing (be sure its crusted over first or your paper will stick), and then simply trace them with your icing bag and tip.

To learn about how cake decorators come up with all those ideas and for some more examples, check out the article about Cake Ideas.

Here’s one final Birthday Cake tip: Don’t be afraid to leave the traditional arena of round and sheet birthday cakes. Try a three or four layer, stacked birthday cake or a sculpture cake for some added birthday brilliance!