To spend £100 on a 1st birthday cake?

[FannyTheFlamingo]

DD is almost 1 and we're having a small family get together to celebrate. I've seen a couple of beautiful cakes and would like to have one made, but it costs around £100. DP says this is ridiculous and wants me to get a cheap(er), supermarket cake. I'm so excited for her 1st birthday and just wanted a special, unique cake. I know she won't remember, but she'll see the pictures one day.

For info, we can afford it, so it's not a budget issue. The small party isn't really costing us anything as it's at home with a bit of party food and some balloons. If I had the time and the skill I'd love to be able to make my own, but it would be a disaster!

FWIW, DP thinks a family party is a silly idea and I should have a get together with mums and babies from the baby groups I go to, which I've tried to explain is a silly idea because I only talk to a couple of the mums, so it would just be awkward!

[Ifailed]

As the cake is clearly for you and not for your DD, why not buy one for your birthday, she'll be able to look at photos of it later on if she's interested?

[Unhomme]

Yes, it's over the top in my view. What do you expect them to do/say when they see pictures of it (in many years time)?

[Cheby]

If you can afford it it's fine. But then DH and I usually agree before we make 'big' purchases as we have joint money. It depends on your financial set up I guess.

I spent about that much on DD1's first birthday cake, but it was to feed 60 people (birthday combined with naming ceremony), and I didn't have time to make the cake because I catered the party myself and it was one or the other.

[milkchocolatx5]

I think it is bonkers. but then, I always bake my DCs cakes as I could never afford such an expensive cake but even if I could, I wouldn't waste that kind of money on it.

I have friends who regularly get expensive cakes for their DCs birthday and Ok find they are always sickly sweet, full of fondant and icing to make them look fab but it does nothing for the taste buds.

[McTufty]

It’s a special occasion and you can afford it - buy it and enjoy I say!

[sooperdooper]

I think it's a lot to spend but if you can afford it who cares? But don't pretend it's for your dd, it's for you!

[Kr1st1na]

Your baby won’t know or care , now or in the future. So please be honest with yourself that you are doing this for you and and not her.

And I’m not sure how your small family party will cost nothing unless you guests are only having cake and a cup of tea? As a guest I would rather have some food and drink and an ordinary supermarket cake .

However its your money and up to you how you spend it.

[SavageCabbage]

That’s a good idea ifailed.

£100is a lot for a cake whether you can afford it or not for a birthday when she won’t get much pleasure out of it but it depends on how your finances work with your dh.

[Caulk]

But a smaller cake. Spend the rest of the money on food for the food bank.

When your child is older then get a massive cake if you have to as they’ll be more aware of what’s going on

[AtlanticWaves]

I think it's expensive but i understand the importance of the first birthday- I found it was much more about me then the baby (for me)

I spent the day reliving the birth and celebrating surviving the first year with a very difficult baby. Nice cake would have been appreciated (instead I made an ordinary sponge cake in the shape of a mouse which tasted very nice but looked very homemade)

However I agree with PP that the cakes generally look nice but don't taste nice.

[SandyDenny]

Why not get something inbetween? Personally I agree with your DP it seems like a total waste of money but a supermarket cake isn't the only alternative.



My DC are older but have never shown any interest in the cake when they look at party photos, it's the people in them they like to see.

[NapQueen]

Yabu.

Asda have this great machine where they can print a picture onto a delicious sponge cake. Pick your favourite picture of her and do that. Save yourself £86.

[BasinHaircut]

We did, and do similar every year for DS (4). No he doesn’t remember the first one, but he remembers the others and loves looking at photos of them.

Always novelty cakes made by the same lady, who is amazing and also makes the most delicious sponge so not only does it look good, but it tastes good too.

Although my SIL had a huge novelty cake made for my brother’s birthday this year and it looked a bit crap and the sponge was dry and horrible. It cost her a fortune. Make sure you get a good recommendation for the cake maker.

[Catsize]

Either make one or get the one you want. Don’t go down the supermarket cake route.

[AChanceAtSchool]

We spent more than that on our PFB’s 1st birthday cake, BUT it was a big party with about 50 guests, drinks etc. So it seemed right to have a big pretty cake as a centrepiece.

If I were just having a small family party (as we have in the years since) I wouldn’t spend so much, it might seem a bit weird out of context and there aren’t that many people to be ‘wowed’ by it!

[FrizzyNoodles]

I wish I had got the cake I wanted for my dd' s first birthday. I say do it even if it is a reward for you getting through the first year. Have a big slice and a big drink and enjoy it!

[FannyTheFlamingo]

That's interesting to know that although it may look nice, it won't necessarily taste nice! That could sway my decision as it's definitely going to be eaten.

And yes, it's obviously more for me than her....she's 1! I never had birthday cakes when I was little and was always a bit jealous when I went to parties, so I just wanted it to be a bit more special than a last minute Colin the Caterpillar rush!

[BasinHaircut]

AND yes of course a first birthday party is all about the parents not the child! How could it ever be any other way? Bar serious illness or similar?

[confused123456]

We spent £70 on a cake made in a cake shop for my ds's 1st birthday party. Then got him a supermarket cake for the actual day.
It's no one else's business. Some may say it's a waste, they don't understand, but the way I see it, when they get older we can show ds the pictures. Same as doing Christmas when he was tiny.

[hellsbells99]

Why don't you compromise with something like one of the M&S personalised ones? Here is one of them:
www.marksandspencer.com/fairytale-castle-pre-order-available-from-12th-february-2017-/p/p60095142?prevPage=plp&pdpredirect

[pasturesgreen]

For a small family party seems way OTT, it's just cake!

[youarenotkiddingme]

Nice cake can never be a wrong decision

However £100 isn't necessary for a good cake. You could get something nice and that looks good for half that.

I'd be mightily pissed off if i got a dry cake for that price!

My suggestion is look for cake makers who advertise within bakeries. They tend to be better quality.

[Kr1st1na]

My DC are older but have never shown any interest in the cake when they look at party photos, it's the people in them they like to see

Ah what sweet kids you have ! Mine like to see the presents

[SendintheArdwolves]

Have whatever the fuck cake you like, my darling - if you can afford it, treat yourself to something that will make you happy

Although, I am just a little bit concerned about your dh - it doesn't sound like he's on board, and why on earth doesn't he want the family there (yours or his)? Does he think everything to do with your DC is "a mum thing" that he can opt out of?

[guiltynetter]

YANBU to want a cake that is better than a supermarket cake (they always taste horrible!) but i do think £100 is loads! i had a unicorn cake made for my DD birthday this year and it was £55. it was so nice. ask on your facebook for recommendations to make sure you get a nice tasting cake.