• Celebrate with a cookout.birthday cake image by Tolbxela from Fotolia.com
  
  When the weather is warm and a special person's birthday is coming up, a cookout can be the perfect way to celebrate. Many people enjoy cookouts because they are laid-back events where the kids can run around and play, the smell of meat roasting on the BBQ is in the air and the long daylight hours can keep the party going well into the night.
  
  

Go Traditional

• Everyone loves burgers and dogs.hamburger and squash image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  Hamburgers and hot dogs with some drumsticks thrown in are always crowd pleasers, and they're inexpensive. Other traditional cookout foods include macaroni or three-bean salads, coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon, cake, fruits and vegetables. Consider grilling up some firm tofu, too, for your vegetarian guests. Don't forget the ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, fixings for the burgers and dogs and plastic checkerboard tablecloths.
  
  For some extra fun, ask someone who plays a guitar to bring his along and lead sing-along tunes, or bring a boom box and CDs with the birthday person's favorite music.
  
  

Make It a Fiesta

• ¡Fiesta!fiesta decoration image by kubais from Fotolia.com
  
  A Latino-style cookout birthday celebration is easy to throw. Foods typically consumed at this type of cookout are seasoned chicken breasts, pounded flat with a meat tenderizing mallet before grilling, thin steaks and pork. These meats can be found at Latino food stores in the butcher's case; some even come pre-seasoned with adobo spices. Vegetarian guests may enjoy tofu with adobo spices or trying nopales, a type of cactus that is grilled and eaten. A fiesta is never complete without rice, beans, tortillas, limes, shredded cabbage, chips and salsa, so it's essential to have plenty for a birthday bash. Serve a tres leches (3-milk) cake when it's time to blow out the candles.
  
  Adorn the area, if possible, with colorful streamers and balloons. Include piñatas in the celebration and fill them with candy and party favors. Have separate piñatas for the adults, older children and smaller children so everyone can participate and get their his share of treats. If budget allows, hire a mariachi band to play for 30 to 60 minutes. If not, provide a CD player and CDs so your guests can dance salsa, merengue and bachata.
  
  

Have a Lluau

• Bring your swimsuits.pineapple and drink items image by joanna wnuk from Fotolia.com
  
  If you have a pool or are able to rent a club house that has a pool, throw a luau-themed birthday party. The area can be adorned with hibiscus flowers and torches; provide guests with hula skirts and leis. Provide tropical, fruity blended drinks and dine on a roasted pig (or ham), pineapple and other exotic fruits and an assortment of seafood. To mix things up a bit, have a banana split bar instead of a birthday cake; this will be appreciated by those who can't eat wheat or don't like cake.
  
  As entertainment, hire some hula dancers to provide a demonstration and/or lessons. Those with a competitive spirit can participate in a limbo competition for a prize.