My son turns 17 this week. I am new to decorating so want to make him something special but need a simple design. He is not into sports so that won't work. I plan to make a round cake, white icing annd have bought the Wilton primary colors fondant package. Any ideas for a decorating newbie?

i have read on something like this before and the suggestion was to find out his interest and do the cake with 1 or more of his likes i hope this helps i'm a newbie to this site has been very helpful and everyone is great here lots of luck

I go through this all the time, as I make cakes for the teen boys at our local foster home. I've found that stripes and geometric shapes are the best, especially since you qualify yourself as a "newbie". How about something like this one?

Welcome to cc! You might want to rethink using that wilton fondant; it's disgusting!! No one here uses it on cakes. It's good to mix with tylose if you want it to be used like a gumpaste or for covering cake boards. Although I hear that Wilton has improved on the taste; I don't know which batch you have. Try a taste. Yes stripes and geometric shapes woek well for males. HTH

what about music? does he like music?
I was thinking about making some fondant drums and adding on top of the cake

Thanks for the advice. I realized I had a Wilton Happy Birthday pan that I had not used so have given that a go. Tried out all my decorating tips and while it is not gorgeous it is handmade with love and my son liked it so a success. Everything is way harder then it looks!

You can't go wrong with chocolate cake and chocolate frosting!

As long as he isn't allergic to chocolate that is.

I'm glad you were successful and that he liked it, Cherylswaby. How about a photo?