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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand why

89 replies

ineedsomeinspiration · 19/10/2014 23:27

people can't just make their own child's birthday cake anymore. It seems to be the current trend to pay someone a stupid amount of money to make a huge elaborate cake for your child. What the hell happened to a chocolate cake with some smarties on the top or a really bad attempt at Thomas the Tank Engine.
I know someone who recently had a great big three tier affair for a second birthday fgs!

OP posts:
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EatShitDerek · 19/10/2014 23:28

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ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties · 19/10/2014 23:28

Everyone I know makes their own cakes for their children. Literally everyone.

I've never seen one of these pro affairs at all. It's always train cakes or smartie covered things or once, an old fashioned dolly cake with a plastic doll in the middle of a big gown of a cake!

GiveMeSomethingNiceToEAt · 19/10/2014 23:30

well I made my son's cake. It wasn't great, but no way was I spending the price of a handbag on a 9 year old's cake!

Original poster
ineedsomeinspiration · 19/10/2014 23:33

They are all over it hear and it drives me a bit potty to be honest. Someone I know currently organising a fancy affair for child's first birthday with a huge made to order cake. The child is one, doesn't even know it's their birthday.
Tescos is better as at least it doesn't costs a stupid amount of money.

OP posts:
lornemalvo · 19/10/2014 23:33

I get mine supermarket cakes. I'll bake them when they all start school and I have time. I have seen the type of cakes you mean on Facebook pictures. I agree they are unnecessary.

AnnieLobeseder · 19/10/2014 23:34

I have only ever encountered homemade or a regular party cake from a supermarket. And I live in posh Surrey. Where do you live that this pretentious cakery is going on?! Shock

Original poster
ineedsomeinspiration · 19/10/2014 23:34

ClapHands not a single one of the mummies I know so far has baked their own child's cake. I have not even seen a tescos one at a party.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 19/10/2014 23:38

I get one made for mine, and have done since they were 4. Reason 1, I'm crap at baking kids. Reason 2, it is definitely the most important thing fir them at their parties. They talk about it for months beforehand getting really excited. Well worth the money for me.

arethereanyleftatall · 19/10/2014 23:38

Um, cakes not kids.

AlfAlf · 19/10/2014 23:39

I always make their cakes, it's the norm for us and pretty much all the DC's friends I think. And it's always some sort of chocolate or vanilla sponge with cream/jam/chocolate ganache/fruit and smarties.

My kids hate icing so they wouldn't like a shop bought or professionally iced cake.

EatShitDerek · 19/10/2014 23:40

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NotTheKitchenAgainPlease · 19/10/2014 23:41

I always make DS's because it has to be egg free and dairy free.
Unfortunately I'm not very good at it poor him

ShadowKat · 19/10/2014 23:42

I buy them from the supermarket. I have very little confidence in my ability to produce an acceptable home baked birthday cake.

AlfAlf · 19/10/2014 23:44

If you want to make their cakes yourself op, just do. It matters not what everyone else in your circle does or how much it costs.
Likewise, anyone who can't face the task of baking themselves, buy out.
It's all cake, the dc will be happy regardless I'm sure.

notagainffffffffs · 19/10/2014 23:44

Everyone by me does it-huge 3 tier handcrafted wedding cake style cakes. My best friend just spent 80 quid on a 3 tier rainbow christening cake. From quite a poor area relatively speaking

RedSoloCup · 19/10/2014 23:45

Probably from Essex where I unfortunately live, I just buy a supermarket one though or dh makes one and I can't bake for shit but make at least 350 dinners a year so don't feel bad!!!

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/10/2014 23:47

It had never even occurred to me to make a birthday cake until I read a thread on here about it. They've all been from the supermarket. Baking is not one of my strengths.

KnackeredMuchly · 19/10/2014 23:47

I bake cakes for all occasions, even my own wedding cupcakes. I've always dreamt of a big delicious elaborate cake I could order .

For my son's first birthday I paid for a giant decorative two tier affair. It was magnificent!! It was definitely for me and not for my son and it was great. I will make the rest of his cakes though!!

Snatchoo · 19/10/2014 23:48

If I have time, I make one.

DS3 is three on Tuesday but I'm at work tomorrow and Tuesday so he might get shop bought. I'm too tired and lazy to be a purist!

I wouldn't buy a specially made one though. Supermarket is my limit.

Roseformeplease · 19/10/2014 23:50

Best supermarket cake ever was Spider-Man. It gave all the children (in nappies) blue poo.

I bake ours and we have a tradition of the children decorating it. Yummy - lots of pre-licked sweeties.

Dragonlette · 19/10/2014 23:51

We've been to 2 parties so far for reception. 1 homemade, 1 fancy. Last year at nursery they were all supermarket cakes, I'm hoping that's the norm this year too, cos that's what my dd will be getting. I don't have time to bake , I'm rubbish at it anyway, but I refuse to pay more than £10 for a cake when I'm already shelling out on a party.

plinkyplonks · 19/10/2014 23:51

YANBU - I'm old school! My mother always used to make me birthday cakes. Always appreciated the time and effort she put in to making them - and they were absolutely delicious.

Momagain1 · 19/10/2014 23:55

I have done all cake options, at one time or another. Well, not the super expensive, multi-tier custom made stuff. Though we pass such in a display window and my son has his eye on a minion cake. (Not happening).

WorraLiberty · 19/10/2014 23:57

The kids don't remember the cake

They just remember whether the party was fun and enjoyed by all

Oh and they'll probably remember the presents...or at least their favourite one but very rarely the cake.

I've always bought a supermarket one and my kids have always enjoyed them.

BackforGood · 19/10/2014 23:58

Well, YABU to not understand why.......(It's hardly difficult to understand that some people prefer a 'professional looking' one, or don't have the time, or don't have the confidence to make them) - which directly answers what you asked,

but that aside, I am surprised how many people seem to buy them, yes. We've always made a victoria sandwich and put a load of choc buttons or whatever on top.