Birthday Cake

*Cue the song ‘Cake’ by Flo Rida

Why are cakes a good choice for EVERYONE? Birthday Cakes are the *PRIMARY* traditional birthday gifts since forever! It’s a good way to celebrate and share with a group of people at a party too.

There are so many different types of cakes that it may be difficult to pick one that the Birthday One likes. It may be helpful to ask around to see what type of cake the Birthday One likes.

A Hello Kitty Cake from Six Ping Bakery in Houston Chinatown

Where can you get cakes? There are many local bakery shops that specialize in making cakes that you can probably find on Google or Yelp. Some Asian bakeries make the most cutest or gorgeous, and tasty cakes, but they are also very pricey.

If you are a good baker, you can also try making a cake. A Real Birthday Story example is when my good friend baked a chocolate banana cake for my birthday the last two years! It was so yummy and tasty. It was also a very sweet gift since it took her time to make it.

Bundlet from Nothing Bundt Cake

If you are on a budget, try grocery stores like Walmart, HEB, Kroger, etc. They usually have nicely designed cakes at an affordable price. Go for the ones that has the latest ‘good until’ date – those are usually the freshest.

If you are the Birthday One and are looking for some free cake, some restaurants and bakery stores offer a free piece of cake for dessert as birthday freebies for dining there or being a customer. Two notable ones are La Madeleine which offers a free pastry in the birthday month if you sign up for their app and Nothing Bundt Cakes which offers a free bundlet in the birthday month.

Happy Birthday Party Cake!

Another Real Birthday Story experienceMy boss wanted to save money so instead of ordering cakes for employees on their birthday, he opted to get a birthday cake quarterly and all those with birthdays in that quarter would have their birthday celebrated. It’s quite a unique experience but I guess late cake is better than no cake.

**NOTE OF CAUTION: Be cautionary about any allergies or preferences that the Birthday One may have. Some may not want to eat cakes made with eggs or gluten. *

Collecting My Birthday Freebies 2016

*This is a very late post.

It is extremely fun to collect birthday freebies during the birthday month. It is something you can do with your significant other, a good friend or two, or just by yourself. Here is my story for 2016. I did not collect all of these in one day, but it is over several weeks.

20160401_125822

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my first freebies I have collected is Marble Slab ice cream. My favorite is the strawberry with the oreo mix-ins. I got a regular sized cone so it was an awesome freebie.

20160402_144014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next freebie  I got is Buffalo Wild Wings for snack size wings. This one is not necessarily free persay since it is dine in only, so even if you only get the snack size wings, more than likely you will leave a tip for the waiter or waitress anyway. However, it is good if you are eating with friends since if you are going there anyway, why not split everything?

20160402_161046

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also got another ice cream cone from Maggie Moo’s. In the process, I discovered a new flavor the Maggie Moo’s freebie – the cinnamoo – which got me to visit the place 2 additional times and pay full price for this ice cream.

20160404_204642

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sephora Birthday Gift is pretty nice for this year. I got the Marc Jacobs eye liner and lipstick.

20160404_205035

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next one is the free Grand Slam.The Grand slam is usually 4 items only.

20160405_195924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starbucks- a free drink! I got the Venti size!

20160409_121632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Zoe’s Kitchen with a free entree! I got the chicken kabobs. The hummus is awesome there.

20160409_123503

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also got a free plate of flautas at Taca Cabana! It was a great meal!

Birthday Freebies and Deals in 2016

Happy Birthday to myself! Other than giving gifts to others, I also like giving gifts to myself in the form of freebies or deals from restaurants and stores! It is often fun to see freebies and deals each year and then go around to get them. It’s actually a fun experience to celebrate your birthday, collecting freebies and deals. The restaurants or stores generally give you two weeks after sending the email for you to redeem your gift. Some will give you until the last day of your birthday month.

Below are some of the freebies and deals I’ve received for my birthday this year! If you go to the restaurant or store’s website and sign up with your email to be a member or get email updates, they will give you freebies or deals on your birthday or anniversary. Please do note if you sign up within a week of two of your birthday, you may not get the deals until next year.

Freebies? Yes, Please!

Olive Garden – Free dessert

Nothing Bundt Cakes – Free Bundtlet

La Madeleine – Free Pastry up to $4.99

Marble Slab/Maggie Moo’s– Free Small Cup or Cone with unlimited mix ins

IHOP – Free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity Pancakes

Zoe’s Kitchen – Free meal (one entree, salad, or sandwich)

Buffalo Wild Wings– Free Snack Size wings

Denny’s – Free Grand Slam on your Birthday

Taco Cabana – Free Flauta Plate

Wafflehouse– Free Waffle

Baskin Robbins – Free Scoop For your Birthday

Red Mango– $5 value added to Club Mango Card

Starbucks – Grande drink of your choice

Sprinkles – Free Cupcake week of birthday

Sephora Beauty Member– Free birthday gift from Sephora

Star Cinema Grill – Two free Movie Tickets

Redbox – Free 1 night Rental

Revolution Studios – Free Class in month of Birthday

WhichWich– Free 7″ Sandwich of your choice

 

Deals with Purchase? Sure, why not?

Gringos – $10 credit towards entree

McAllister’s – Enjoy $5 off your next meal at McAllister’s

Dairy Queen- BOGO deal – medium Blizzard Treat and get one of equal or smaller size for free

Brio’s– $10 off next visit

Benihana – $30 gift certificate with purchase of full-priced adult entree

Fuddruckers – Free ⅓ LB Burger with purchase of your next entree of equal or greater value

Great American Cookies – Free Cookie Cake Slice with the purchase of a Regular Soda

Maggie Moo’s – $5 off any medium 8” or Large ¼ Sheet Size Cake

Sweet Tomatoes – 20% off Adult Meal

Scholotzsky’s – Free small The Original Sandwich with purchase of bag of chips and 32 ox fountain drink

Smoothie King – 20 oz. Smoothie for $2.99

Victoria Secret– $10 off for your birthday

Pinot Palette – 25% off seat

NBA.COM– 10% off next order

Halfprice Bookstore – 15% off Entire Purchase

Woodhouse Day Spa – 10% Savings on next Spa visit

Dave & Busters – $10 Free Game Play with Purchase of $10 in Game Play