There are certain times of the year where finding fireworks like sparklers is easy as pie. For instance, around Independence Day, there are likely dozens of fireworks tents that popup near your town. However, specialty products are almost impossible to find at these stores; and certainly not at other stores during the rest of the year. And, if you’re looking for where to buy sparklers for birthdays; you’re going to be looking for a needle in a haystack.
Since they are hard to find and are only available locally at a small group of shops, I thought I’d put together this guide on where to find them. Hopefully, it will save you some time, money, and a whole lot of stress. Here’s what you need to know.
Where to Buy Birthday Sparklers Locally
As I mentioned, there aren’t really a lot of places to find what you need locally. What’s more, the few places that may have them usually only stock them for a brief part of the year. Nevertheless, you may find yourself in a pinch and ready to search high and low for where to buy sparklers for birthdays nearby. Here are a few places to look if you’re desperate for a solution.
Fireworks Stores
Since birthday sparklers are obviously a firework, looking at store dedicated to them is the most obvious option. Fortunately, there are some states that have year-round stores for you to visit at your convenience; but that’s not a luxury everyone gets to enjoy. Furthermore, most of them won’t carry sparklers designed for use on cakes. Though it’s certainly worth a phone call, don’t hold your breath for them to have what you need.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are notorious for stocking fireworks around New Year’s and the 4th of July. Sadly, that doesn’t make it a viable option for people shopping during other times of the year. Additionally, they usually have a very narrow selection of products available from which to choose. In my opinion, grocery stores are not where to buy sparklers for birthdays reliably.
Cake Shop or Bakery
One possible source you may completely overlook is a local cake shop. Many of these shops cater parties, so it’s possible they have a few on hand for this purpose. However, it’s unlikely they’ll want to part with them for a reasonable price; if they’ll sell them to you at all. Also, they usually only have sparkler candles on hand, so expect a limited selection. Nevertheless, it is at least a place to try if you are in a bind.
Party Supply Store
Party supply stores are a bastion for people planning parties and other events. Not only do they have a lot affordable birthday decorations available, they have cake supplies as well. Whenever you can find cake supplies, you have at least a small chance of locating some sparklers to use at your party. Sadly, the odds of them having specialty versions on hand are pretty slim. However, if you have no other options, it’s always worth a peak.
A Local Nightclub Offering Bottle Service
Consider making a stop at your favorite local nightclub to see if they happen to have some behind the bar. A lot of high end clubs offer bottle service on their menu, and they are the same type that you put on cakes. However, there is no guarantee that they will have them on hand or be willing to part with a few for a reasonable fee. Nevertheless, I personally know at least one person who has sourced them using this very method; so why not try?
Restaurant Supply Store
Similar to a party supply store, restaurant suppliers may have something in stock for cakes in case a restaurant orders them. Occasionally, a restaurant will use birthday cake sparklers on a special dessert that they sell. So, their suppliers have a vested interest in having them available. Sadly, they usually have to special order sparklers designed for use on cakes. That means getting them the same day usually isn’t a possibility; but it never hurts to try if you’re desperate.
Where to Buy Sparklers for Birthdays Online
If you are planning in advance and have at least a week before the party, I always suggest going online. You will get the best selection and the best prices, plus they are available all year long. However, anyone searching for where to buy sparklers for birthdays online will find the same three types of stores. Here is a breakdown of each category to help you decide where to shop.
Online Big Box Stores
Recently, several “big box” internet giants started allowing certain fireworks to be listed for sale. This is a very short list of items, but sparklers are definitely included. That means you can go to websites like Amazon or Wal-Mart and find a small selection of items that will fit the bill. However, these are typically very poor quality and sold by third party vendors. That means the delivery will be quite slow, and you won’t get the typical buyer protections that the “mother ship” company offers. Overall, I tend to encourage people to look elsewhere for their purchase.
Auction Sites
Similarly, there are a few auction websites that will have options for you to consider for the job. Most notably, eBay is a common place to look for items of this nature. However, eBay sellers are even less credible than third-party sellers on the “big box” sites. Furthermore, they are almost always rebranded generic products that are unreliable at best. If you’ve ever been burned from an auction purchase, you know exactly what I mean. In my opinion, it’s best to stick to legitimate sources.
Specialty Websites
Out of all the options available online, choosing a specialty store is always the best option. Not only will they have the biggest selection, they will also have the highest quality products. Since they stake their reputation on a small offering of products, they are much less likely to ship you junk. Just make sure to take the time to read some product reviews before ordering; not every specialty shop is legitimate. However, they are the very definition of where to buy sparklers for birthdays online.
Can I Use Regular Sparklers on a Birthday Cake?
After reading all of this, you may be thinking that obtaining sparklers for your birthday cake is more trouble than it’s worth. As such, it’s very common for me to see questions about using traditional sparklers on a cake instead. Sadly, regular versions will discolor your frosting and can even leave a terrible taste to accompany it. I always tell people to steer clear of this idea, and you’d be wise to follow that advice.
Finding where to buy sparklers for birthdays doesn’t have to be a hassle if you know where to look. Obviously, it can be very difficult to find them locally. Fortunately, there are many great resources available to you online. Just make sure to take your time and research the right brands and products. If you do the legwork, you’ll get the perfect effect or your birthday celebration.
