Cake club comment: What an adorable cake! It made me smile. Santa's sunburn is too cute. I love your palm tree, it came out great. Sorry,can't help with the present question.

This is an adorable concept! I would have somehow figured out a way to keep the water from going over the edge. Is that piping get/icing mix? Can't tell, but it is interesting. Also maybe for the presents you could have used mini candy bars dipped in candy melts? Just a suggestions, don't know if it would work. Maybe put a toothpick/skewer into the bottom of the bar and dip it, then put the skewer into a foam block to allow the candy melts to dry? They shouldn't bleed and you could embellish the gifts, too, with some fondant.

The water was a home made gel with a recipe that I got off Craftsy. It looked great for a couple of days but then dried and cracked.

I love this cake , you are probably always going to get a bleed effect using a gel based medium. I think the trade off for the effect was worth it.
I would have like to see a ribbon around the silver board , that is just cause I am picky. :)