Hi everyone, I have never posted here but love to look at all the beautiful cakes. I have a real problem. My aunt is turning 50 over thanksgiving weekend and everyone wants me to do the cake. The problem is...she is dying of cancer. I am at a total loss here...can't think of a thing that will be appropriate. Please...if you have any ideas I would really appreciate them. Some thoughts...1- she does have a great (somewhat sinister!) sense of humor; 2- a simple flowers-on-the-edge generic cake won't do, she knows I like to do crazy shapes and stuff; 3- she doesn't really have any hobbies to speak of; 4- my mom does not want it thanksgiving-themed, but special to her birthday. I know this is a TALL order. You can see why I am at a loss. Please, any ideas appreciated. Thanks so much.

First and foremost, my heart goes out to you, your aunt and your family - my father only has a few weeks left himself (cancer), so I can feel your pain. Since she has a sense of humor, how about some sort of whimsical cake - like party boxes falling over. Or maybe a cake that looks like it had exploded? Can you tell I am not good at ideas either?!

look in the gallery, there are loads of ideas there!

Hi, I'm really sorry to hear about your aunt and will say a prayer for your family. Now, what I would do is something full of color and life, maybe a topsy turvy cake? Just an idea! HTH and good luck!

Hey, Momlttr, I think you have two really great ideas there, especially the party boxes.
I know if I were that ill, I would want something bright, but not ugly bright, and funny. I think toppling gift boxes would be just the thing!

Theresa

I am very sorry to hear about your aunt. I agree that maybe a topsy turvy cake with bright colors would be good. My father died of cancer about three weeks after his birthday. We knew he was dying but we had a very colorful cake and a party for him. I still love those memories of happy times. Good luck with the cake.

I'm so sorry about your aunt & I can see why you're having a hard time deciding what kind of cake to do. I'm kind of stumped too! Maybe, since you like to do shaped cakes, you could do 2 sheet cakes & shape one like a five & the other like a zero. You could place them on a cake board & to go above it & below it you could make 2 'ribbons' out of either buttercream or fondant (or maybe even white chocolate.) On the top one you could write 'Happy Birthday Aunt (& her name)' & then on the bottom one you could write '50 years of life, love, laughter & friendship.' I hope that sounds appropriate. Whatever kind you decide to do, I hope she loves it & that your family has a wonderful celebration of her 50 years!

So very sorry to hear your aunt is so ill. Now might be a good time to celebrate her life. If she has a somewhat twisted sense of humor you might try a topsy-turvy cake with photos celebrating her life, maybe including all the family. Use bright colors, sharp angles and her favorite cake flavor. Bless you for taking the time and extra effort needed to complete something really special.

Hello, I am sorry to hear you are going through such a rough time. My heart goes out to your aunt and the whole family. I just had one thought, what about a purse cake? It is girly and not too generic. Just a thought, HTH.

Sue

Sorry for that news. I just wanted to add my two cents if you don't mind. I too suffer from that nasty world of cancer. I have learn that it is scary to people and they don't know how to handle it in times like this. Now let me tell you..... celebrate, celebrate, celebrate...bright colors, humor and all. Don't let that cancer hold you back from having fun.Make your aunt proud, treat her like she is a person not a disease. Have fun, make memories.

I'm really sorry to hear she doesn't have much time left. Hmmm...How about going out with a bang theme. If i'm out of line...i'm sorry..just trying to think up something to go with her persona.

Like a topsy turvy cake with lots of sparklers in different colors and some model rockets (hence the bang theme)

or

If your good with modeling figures...make a pilgrim with an old style shot gun chasing a turkey with a birthday hat. That will cover both thanksgiving and birthday theme. Again, if i'm out of line, I apologize.

Hope the ideas help. Missy

As a cancer survivor, my thoughts would be not to focus on anything but the birthday. Celebrate the 50 year birthday as much as possible!!! It is a milestone that should be celebrated. I agree with the whimsical cake. My heart goes out to you and your family and of course your aunt.

I am sooo sorry to hear about your aunt I loss my father to cancer almost 9 yrs ago as for your question I also think the topsy turvy cake would be nice and you can always make a "50" out of fondant or chocolate or cookies for the top with some sparklers.

Also best wishes to your family and your Aunt.

I agree with everyone else about having a fun cake for a big birthday.