I was asked to make a cake for one of my niece's birthday. Since I am new to making cakes I told her I would do it as my gift instead of buying something else.

So they loved the cake. but it took longer than expected since I wanted the family to see what I could do. When she opened the gifts she ended by telling everyone I gave Liliana they cake as a gift.

But what do I do if another sister-in-law ask me to do a cake, but expects me to do it as a gift instead of paying?

HELP!!!

hmmm, I just made a cake for my nieces birthday and gave it to her as part of her present too. Was ther comment phrased nicely or kind of snotty?

I would just do a way scaled back version. Don't spend as much money or time... IE maybe do something simple?

Well would you normally give the next person a gift? If so then I think it would be ok to give the cake as a gift instead but just keep them all on the same scale and you decide the type, flavour style and decorations as it is your present to give not the parents or whoever. Just as if you had gone to the store to buy a gift only you would decide what the final gift would be, you could ask for some imput like what the child is interested in or favourite colors. Just my lil opion lol

I did the exact same thing!! Now I think everyone is expecting that. I don't know what to do about it! Especially when it's family you kinda get stuck!!

I use their bday cakes (gift) to try out new techniques. They get to pick the theme and flavor, the rest is "artist's choice." I think of it as a good way to practice and get feedback without eating it all.

I agreee. It would be a great chance to try something new and that would be the gift so not extra money is spent.

My instuctor said that's what she always did.

You never know someone may be at the party that could be a future customer.

I tell everyone, family and friends alike, that if thyey ask for a cake, they pay for it. If I offer to make it...it's a gift. Everyone knows the rules, and it avoids a lot of misunderstandings. Having said that...I offer to make a lot of cakes.

I've found that most of me nieces and nephews (and cousins and siblings) get so many items for their birthdays and weddings that they don't always remember what they got from whom. They remember who made their cake.

I try new techniques for the birthday cakes.

And they are all gifts from my husband and me

I agree with Crimsicle, if I offer, it's on me. If you ask, it's on you.

I made my niece's birthday cake last July. I had used fondant but wanted to try out the CC MMF recipe. Although it was discussed beforehand, she (is 13) and was disappointed that I didn't get her a "gift".

It's hard to win sometime

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE GOING THRU MY FAMILY ASK FOR CAKES TOO! IN SEPT. MY BROTHER ASKED FOR A CAKE I SAID FINE TOOK THE ORDER ALL HE SAID I WILL TAKE CARE OF IT LATER. BUT NEVER DID WHICH WAS FINE I DIDN'T GET MY NIECE ANYTHING FOR HER BIRTHDAY BUT JUST ON THE SUPPLIES IT CAME OUT TO $30.00 NOT EVEN INCLUDING MY LABOR! WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS TELL THEM THE PRICE IF THEY PAY YOU FINE IF NOT HTEY CAN GO AND BUY ONE AT SOMEWHERE ELSE AND REALLY PAY FOR IT. BUT IT WILL BE UP TO YOU TO DECIDE IF IT WILL BE A FREE GIFT AND EVEN HALF OF WHAT THE TOTAL WILL BE. IT DON'T MATTER IF IT'S YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS ECT. YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT AND THEY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IF NOT ADD EVERYTHING UP INCLUDING YOUR TIME PER HOUR, GAS TO GETTING YOUR SUPPLIES THE UTILITIES PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WHAT YOU GO THRU ON GETTING THE SUPPLIES BUSINESS IS BUSINESS REGARDLESS WHO IT IS. UNLESS YOU LIKE GIVING FREE CAKES, AND DON'T FEEL BAD THIS IS JUST AT HOME IF YOU HAD A BAKERY WOULD YOU BE DOING YOUR CAKES FOR FREE????? HOPE THIS HELP'S

Well i have a rule..........I WILL ALWAYS MAKE MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS cakes for FREE!!!!!!!!! i have a big family, 5 borthers and sister and then my hubby as two siblings...........I really feel that because they are my nieces and nephews I should not charge! but others cousins aunts.....extended famil its on I charge away!!!!!!!!

Its just a personal choice with me...... I have to add thou that it is easy to get caught in a trap of expectation.......However i have made it LOUD and CLEAR......That I have to offer!! and other wise i charge .....works well.....as a matter of fact......in November I called my brother and asked what he wanted forhis birthday as this is the 1st year that Im away......I move to cali from TX ....and he said I didnt have to get him anything that he just missed my cakes! i was touched So I called him the night before and told him I was overnighting a cake to him .............He FILPPED OUT and LOVED IT!!!!!!!

and couldnt belive that i went thru the trouble and said tht was the best gift...... so i guess thats why i do it.....sorry for rambling