Birthday parties are a big part of children’s lives.  Celiac Disease doesn’t have to put a damper on the partying. 

For parties your child attends, keep a stash of frozen cake pieces in the freezer.  Make your child’s favorite cake whenever you have extra time.   Let your child pick their favorite flavor.  We like Kinnikinnick chocolate and white cakes around our house.  I try to decorate the cake at least a little – colored frosting, simple design, I’ve even used Skittles or M&Ms to just make a smiley face on it.  We’ve had great luck with individual frozen pieces.  I just send the frozen piece in a plastic container, and it’s thawed by cake time.

Check with the parents when you RSVP about what food will be served and when.  Try to match food for your child and provide it to the parents when you bring your child.  We’ve taken pizza, cakes, drinks, candy.  Sure it’s extra work, but it’s part of life as a Celiac parent and it quickly becomes second nature.

And leave a phone number where you can be reached.  Your child (if old enough) or the parents in charge can give you a quick call if a question comes up. 

For classroom birthdays, ask your child’s teacher for a list of birthdays and send a gluten free treat with your child on the birthdays.

For your own child’s birthday, throw a gluten free party complete with gluten free cake and ice cream.