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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask how much you would pay for homemade Christmas cake

288 replies

TheHopefulBaker · 26/09/2025 14:13

I am looking into ways to easily earn a bit of extra cash. I make a christmas cake every year just for myself and family as I love doing it, so I'll be putting in the money and time regardless. Every year I get feedback that my Christmas cake is lovely and I should sell them.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to invest a bit more time and effort to make a few more, and maybe make a bit of money. I was thinking I could take them along to my local car boot sale in October and November.

I'm just wondering how much to ask. I usually make medium round cakes and decorate them with marzipan and royal icing. Then add a few simple decorations on top. Nothing fancy.

I'll try add a photo of last year's

How much do you think people would pay for a cake like this at a car boot sale?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

to ask how much you would pay for homemade Christmas cake
to ask how much you would pay for homemade Christmas cake
OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 08:29

OliviaVine · 29/09/2025 08:25

Very invested since you seem to know all about the original thread.

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It was quite memorable… posting about your friend’s failed business and loads of identifying photos.

OliviaVine · 29/09/2025 08:25

Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 08:24

A couple of posts and “it’s beyond” you how “invested” I am 😆

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Very invested since you seem to know all about the original thread.

Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 08:24

OliviaVine · 29/09/2025 08:19

It's beyond me why you're so invested in this. I pulled the thread because instead of answering the question asked, people chose to be mean. Not necessary. Please move on

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A couple of posts and “it’s beyond” you how “invested” I am 😆

OliviaVine · 29/09/2025 08:19

Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 08:15

New to mumsnet?

no way would I have posted a load of identifying cakes on AIBU that my poor friend had made who’d had to fold her business.

and clearly for good reason given you pulled the thread. As loads of posters were suggesting.

maybe you’d be better off sitting down with your friend and telling her how to join mumsnet. It’s very straightforward.

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It's beyond me why you're so invested in this. I pulled the thread because instead of answering the question asked, people chose to be mean. Not necessary. Please move on

Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 08:15

OliviaVine · 29/09/2025 07:46

"AIBU of all places"? Do you honestly think if it had been posted elsewhere on MN the nastiness wouldn't have happened? Bitchiness is all over MN.

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New to mumsnet?

no way would I have posted a load of identifying cakes on AIBU that my poor friend had made who’d had to fold her business.

and clearly for good reason given you pulled the thread. As loads of posters were suggesting.

maybe you’d be better off sitting down with your friend and telling her how to join mumsnet. It’s very straightforward.

OliviaVine · 29/09/2025 07:49

Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 06:22

That poster began a thread, about her friend who’s had to terminate her cake baking business because wasn’t making money, posting loads of (identifying) pictures of her friend’s cakes and asking how much we would pay for them. In AIBU of all places.

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RTT regarding identifying the cakes. So much drama.

OliviaVine · 29/09/2025 07:46

Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 06:22

That poster began a thread, about her friend who’s had to terminate her cake baking business because wasn’t making money, posting loads of (identifying) pictures of her friend’s cakes and asking how much we would pay for them. In AIBU of all places.

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"AIBU of all places"? Do you honestly think if it had been posted elsewhere on MN the nastiness wouldn't have happened? Bitchiness is all over MN.

Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 06:22

TheHopefulBaker · 28/09/2025 18:11

I'm confused - what happened? 😂

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That poster began a thread, about her friend who’s had to terminate her cake baking business because wasn’t making money, posting loads of (identifying) pictures of her friend’s cakes and asking how much we would pay for them. In AIBU of all places.

Tummyrum · 29/09/2025 06:21

9inapack · 28/09/2025 15:02

Oh I thought that was really off of @OliviaVine to do. Open her friend up to criticism about her craft. Pleased the Op listened to common sense

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So did I.

And I never understand why people start threads on behalf of “friends”

It isn’t like the process of signing up to mumsnet is particularly onerous!

queensonia · 28/09/2025 20:47

CatAsstrophe · 26/09/2025 14:34

In my experience, people want something for nothing at car boot sales, and given the cost of ingredients, the cost of fuel (gas/elec) to cook, your time, and the cost to do a car boot (lots of organisers charge sellers to set up a pitch) it wouldn't be worth the effort. Realistically, it’s unlikely you’d even cover your expenses, let alone make a profit.

Exactly. They tight bastards would offer you 50p

pollymere · 28/09/2025 20:30

Regrettably probably it would go for less than the cost of the ingredients and the electricity. People think cakes cost about £10 to make.

Cupcakes are probably a better bet.

Original poster
TheHopefulBaker · 28/09/2025 18:11

9inapack · 28/09/2025 15:02

Oh I thought that was really off of @OliviaVine to do. Open her friend up to criticism about her craft. Pleased the Op listened to common sense

Show quote history

I'm confused - what happened? 😂

OP posts:
Hoodlumboodlum · 28/09/2025 17:46

No way would I buy homemade food off a car boot sale.

9inapack · 28/09/2025 17:24

OliviaVine · 28/09/2025 15:51

Yes on hindsight we should have expected that. She never tried fo increase her prices despite people suggesting she should.

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Seems a shame not to have at least tried to increase prices rather than just pack it all in

LoafofSellotape · 28/09/2025 16:26

Speckly · 28/09/2025 11:09

Work out the cost of ingredients and double it at least to compensate you for your time. I defo wouldn’t sell through a car boot. Ask around family, friends, workplace if anyone is interested and post on local social media.

Work out the ingredients and x3.

LoafofSellotape · 28/09/2025 16:26

opencecilgee · 28/09/2025 07:26

I never buy Christmas cake. Its not very nice. Do people genuinely like it?

No , people hate it, that's why millions are made and sold in the shops every year. People just buy it and it goes straight in the bin, don't even unwrap it 😂

Jllllllll · 28/09/2025 16:10

I have a feeling that if you’re selling them to the public you would need to have your kitchen inspected and passed for hygiene? My mum makes Christmas cakes, not to sell but for family and friends and I think the ingredients are quite expensive? I would say you could sell yours for around £10 but with cost of ingredients and time it may not be worthwhile?

OliviaVine · 28/09/2025 15:51

9inapack · 28/09/2025 15:24

You posted in AIBU
it was a risk that you were going to get people criticising the cakes

and you never clarified whether she even tried to increase her prices!

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Yes on hindsight we should have expected that. She never tried fo increase her prices despite people suggesting she should.

nomas · 28/09/2025 15:34

9inapack · 28/09/2025 15:02

Oh I thought that was really off of @OliviaVine to do. Open her friend up to criticism about her craft. Pleased the Op listened to common sense

Show quote history

What happened, sorry?

9inapack · 28/09/2025 15:24

OliviaVine · 28/09/2025 15:23

My friend asked me to post, I wouldn't dream of doing it otherwise. She actually got some lovely positive comments in addition to the spiteful ones but I could tell some of you were on a mission to criticise her so I requested it be removed.

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You posted in AIBU
it was a risk that you were going to get people criticising the cakes

and you never clarified whether she even tried to increase her prices!

OliviaVine · 28/09/2025 15:23

9inapack · 28/09/2025 15:02

Oh I thought that was really off of @OliviaVine to do. Open her friend up to criticism about her craft. Pleased the Op listened to common sense

Show quote history

My friend asked me to post, I wouldn't dream of doing it otherwise. She actually got some lovely positive comments in addition to the spiteful ones but I could tell some of you were on a mission to criticise her so I requested it be removed.

9inapack · 28/09/2025 15:02

Emiliachonk · 28/09/2025 09:46

Wise call to retract thread @OliviaVine . I imagine your friend wasn’t enjoying reading the responses.

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Oh I thought that was really off of @OliviaVine to do. Open her friend up to criticism about her craft. Pleased the Op listened to common sense

Seaside3 · 28/09/2025 13:05

HaveItOffTilICough · 28/09/2025 12:53

Those sound delicious! Where do I find them?

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Christmas is coming on 6th October, but this is the same cake.
https://www.gingerbakers.co.uk/product/damson-brandy-fruit-cake-500g/

HaveItOffTilICough · 28/09/2025 12:53

Seaside3 · 28/09/2025 11:37

Do you assume that no one likes anything you dislike?
Also, there can be a huge difference in Christmas cakes, depending on the fruits, nuts and alcohol used. The ingredients for the Christmas cake made where I work are quite unusual, including damson jam, chocolate and dried pineapple, amongst other things. We sell a lot of them, which would lead me to believe people like it.

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Those sound delicious! Where do I find them?

InterestPiqued · 28/09/2025 12:14

I think you might be more successful if you made the cakes look a bit more modern and stylish and with royal icing. Those ornaments add to the ‘ick’ for me.

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