Giving Birthday Cakes As Gifts

Business By fcakes Updated 10 Jan 2013 , 6:51pm by Janani65

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fcakes Posted 8 Jan 2013 , 10:35pm
post #1 of 14

AI've searched on CC for advice on this but found nothing. If a kid has a birthday in my child's class and we are invited, will it be a good idea to suggest I can do the cake as the birthday present? It'll be difficult to estimate the number of guests at the party, so not sure how to word this so that it comes across well?

Or is it a bad idea?:grin:

Appreciate any input! Thanks!

13 replies
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-K8memphis Posted 8 Jan 2013 , 10:58pm
post #2 of 14

i don't think it's a bad idea but it think it could get complicated

 

but my first thought is is that it's more of a gift to the parents sort of

 

and how many times would you give your child's classmate a gift that cost that much in real life

 

a lot to consider

 

doing for a special friend of the kids sure maybe

(but i'd charge for it myself)

 

doing more than that--i don't know

 

just some thoghts

 

if they ordered from somewhere else & it was a cake wreck you could be right ready with a business card icon_biggrin.gif

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Evoir Posted 8 Jan 2013 , 11:26pm
post #3 of 14

AI thought about this when I was starting out, and having two young kids. But the key issue is value. Most school aged kids get gifts worth under $30 here. My minimum cake charge (accounting for my time) is $150.

I'm just not that generous!:D

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fcakes Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 2:09am
post #4 of 14

AYes...valid points! So maybe it's a no go?! Has anyone done it?

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cakesbycathy Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 2:17am
post #5 of 14

I have 3 kids (10, 10 and 8). My kids would rather bring a gift they have picked out themselves than have the cake be the gift.  And depending on the age of the birthday child, it really is more of a gift for the parents.

And honestly for me, I would rather spend my time doing something else (like paid orders) than making the cake.  We can be in and out of Target in 15 minutes.
 

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cakesbycathy Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 2:19am
post #6 of 14

Also, you are opening yourself up to having your kid being invited just because the parents want a free cake.

I'm sure your kid is awesome and would be invited anyway, but you understand what I'm saying right? icon_smile.gif

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mcaulir Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 2:24am
post #7 of 14

I don't know, I don't think I'd like to be asked that by someone I don't know very well.

 

It kind-of implies tha you think they're not capable of organising their kid's party well enough. Plus having a fancy cake one year might make the parents feel obligated to provide that for the kid's siblings as well, or to provide it next year.

 

You also put the parents in the awkward position, if they refuse your offer, of basically saying that they really prefer to spend money buying a grocery store cake rather than eating your cake for free. So they might feel obligated to accept, when they'd really prefer to organise what they'd like themselves.

 

However, I've been told I'm oversensitive about these sorts of things, so feel free to ignore my advice! icon_smile.gif

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Apti Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 5:27am
post #8 of 14

My first response--not a good idea.

 

Kids that are 9 and under want presents.  They could usually care less about a cake.  I've been to a LOT of kid parties and the only people that care about cutting the cake and eating the food are the adults.  The kids would quite happily play and rip open presents and forget all about the food or cake. 

 

Kids that are over 9 want money so they can buy electronics that they have been saving to purchase.  Again, the only people that care about the cake?  The adults.

 

Unless it is a family member or very close friend, nope.

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fcakes Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 12:59pm
post #9 of 14

AThis was all very great advice....just what I was looking for!! mcaulir, you put what misgivings I had about this into words....thank you everyone! Agree with wat everyone said about parents being obligated, doubting their ability and younger kids beng more concerned about presents rather than cake :smile: thank you!

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pamelawoo Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 1:49pm
post #10 of 14

I bake free cakes for close family and friends and I choose what kind of cake I want to bake for them.  There are no complicated designs or flavors that will cost me a lot of money.  If you bake cakes for all of the children in the classroom the parents might want you to bake and design some extravigant cakes.  There goes your time and money out the door.  I would not do it.  I would give them a business card and give them a percentage off if they purchased the cake from me, but I would not bake a free cake.

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AnnieCahill Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 2:14pm
post #11 of 14

I have done that and I don't recommend it.  The person was a close friend and although she said thanks, I felt like it was a little under-appreciated.  It was also a lot of work.

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BakingIrene Posted 9 Jan 2013 , 10:40pm
post #12 of 14

I baked such gift cakes only for very close family members who had the natural decency to ask for one tier, normal ingredients, and reasonably simple decorations.

 

Offer a free cake and you will get a demand for a gold plated working James Bond car on a 5 foot high hill...trust me.  Oh and it would have to be gluten free, nut free, egg free and "not too sweet"...and MOIST!!!

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fcakes Posted 10 Jan 2013 , 12:55am
post #13 of 14

AThank you for the input! Agree...and in retrospective, yes, I think t would be better to do free ones for close family and friends. Irene...totally know where you come from about the demands..lol!

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Janani65 Posted 10 Jan 2013 , 6:51pm
post #14 of 14

I think your thought is good, but financially you'll have some set backs. Kids birthday cakes are usually very elaborate designs with fondant figures or shaped cakes. Those can easily cost you more.

 

Recently I did a cake for a family friend's son (the picture in my profile). They offered to pay. I couldn't ask for a big amount. I said $50. If I did that for a customer I could have asked about $110. Those fondant figures can be very time consuming. So the additional $60 I spent was like a birthday present from me, but I ended up giving another present. 

 

You can may be do the cake for a discounted price. 

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