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!

I think it depends what you mean by a "small family gathering". For 6 people it would definitely be silly (but it's your money...). For 60 people it wouldn't.

I think it is a shame your DH doesn't want a family party, That seems like a normal and nice thing to do for a 1st birthday. Do you know why?

"I'm sorry but £100 for a cake is crazy"

How much do you charge for your time and expertise?

I’m with DH both on the cake and having a gathering with baby group friends. If you feel a bit socially awkward a fun party is a brilliant ice breaker. Get wine in. Not for the babies...

I think £100 is a bit expensive for a family cake, how many are you feeding?

I've had 2 cakes for DD, one was £25 and would feed about 20 people and one was £80 feed 50 and beautiful.

I have an even better idea.

Why not have a cake smash party with said cake (tongue in cheek )

"Why not have a cake smash party with said cake (tongue in cheek grin)"

I hate making cKes for cake smashes. I always bung a premium on them!

OP don't listen to your DH and other nay- sayers! If you can't celebrate your baby's first birthday, then what can you celebrate? It's an occasion of recognition for you, quite frankly, as the mother who has survived on a few hours sleep for this last year. Well done and congratulations. Moments like this should be special. There is so much crap in life, more fool those people who can't / won't celebrate the good parts. So do what you want. People spend hundreds on shoes or in the pub! Get lots of photos and make memories. Tell your DH to stop being such a misery.

Can you send a photo if the cake pls? People will be able to tell you if it's good value. Is it a particular theme?

Op, this is your life, live it how you want. If you want to spend 100£ on a cake and money isn't an issue then do it! I plan on doing something similar as let's be honest...it's the adults that will be eating it mostly and I love a good cake!

£100 for a birthday cake?

Bonkers.

It's your child's first birthday. She won't know - but you will. If it will give you pleasure and you can afford it, why not?

I was going to do the same for DD's second birthday but left it too late to order! However I found that m&s do nice cakes that they customise and it was about £30 in the end. We got a number 2 with her name on, but they do lots of things. You could look at a compromise like that that?

Also, "all cake is the same", what a ridiculous comment. There's a reason why some are more expensive than others - it's time, effort and skill. If you don't appreciate those things then fine. But don't put down others who do, or who have spent a long time acquiring them.

if you can aford it - YANBU.

I bake cakes as a hobby so i bake the kids cakes for thier birthdays, however, i would not see £100 as a massive amount of money to spend on cakes - what alot of people dont know is how labour intensive some cakes are. I have been known to take three days to make and decorate a cake because of the intricate designs. I know friends who spend over £250 on cakes - in london for a decent couple of tiers thats not unheard of.

Buy the cake! You can afford it and you won't get the opportunity again if you regret not buying it.

urghh - to the person that said it's all sponge at the end of the day with a bit of icing!

You can down grade anything if you want midnight

A marriage licence is "just abit of paper" a World Cup football match is "just men kicking a ball around".

Nonsense argument have respect for cake bakers mine look as if they have been made by a 6 year old so happy to pay a skilled person

It seems there a bit of a style over substance situation with birthday cakes.

I'd rather have a great tasting cake that's been iced for days.

Sorry, than one that's been iced for days by someone.

It seems there a bit of a style over substance situation with birthday cakes

Not with a decent cake maker, you can get cakes that taste fab and look great to.

I don't think I've ever had a fancy expensive cake where the cake itself was shit but the icing was spectacular. That sort of baker wouldn't have a business for long!

No cake will taste nice after it's been sitting no there being iced to oblivion, except fruit cakes but I don't suppose we are talking about fruit cake here.

Mine are delicious!

"I hate making cakes for cake smashes. I always bung a premium on them!"

If someone asked me to do one I would use the cheapest value ingredients and shop bought icing. Admittedly I despise the idea of cake smashes. I hate waste and that it teaches children that it is OK to waste food.

If you’re goIng to spend that much make sure you get your moneys worth and the baker has good reviews! And please support a small business! Cake can always be frozen, shared with neighbors or donated x

Buy the cake.

It's entirely up to you what you spend your money on.

Everybody has a different idea of value. If you were working, you'd have spent that in a few weeks on lunch or coffees.

I've never made a birthday cake in my life, that's what shops are for.