would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

dh and I have been getting hammered lately with our loved ones needing things. we have recently had to shell out a nice chunk of unexpected money, coupled with not having any being reimbursed like we had hoped it would be (at least in part.)

we have a trip to Europe coming up for a family event in 3 weeks.

we had some stuff to do for our house.

and the quote I just got on Luce's birthday cake is $150.

now, ordinarily that would stick in my craw b/c I am pretty cheap to begin with and I am a fairly good baker, but I can only decorate ice cream cakes with any ability and certainly don't have the skilss to decorate according to his theme.

but now, it's sitting very heavy in my gut. it seems so frivilous even in the best of times to spend so much but it would be all in good fun. but like I said, the road from our front door to our bank account has been well traveled lately (which in and of itself is ok b/c we like to be there for our family) and with this upcoming trip.....it just seems out of control.

but here is my issue and please tell me if I am crazy....we sent out a custom invite. and I am not sure if that set a certain tone....and then when people how up and it's just a basic, run of the mill party, will that be disappointing? I feel like I'd be false advertising....custom invite, homemade food and cake....who would drive 80 miles for that???? kwim?

I don't even want to tell dh yet what the cake will cost. I think he might faint. he's already working so hard to cover our expenses so we don't go into debt for it all....I think this will send him over the edge.

and honestly, I don't know what I can stomach more...disappointing people or making him work even harder and giving him more stress over this...

actually, I do know.

please help me feel better about making my own birthday cake. I can't do this to him.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

First off whoever thinks it's just a run of the mill party b/c you have homemade everything is just an a$s!

Second, if it's something you can't afford, then don't do it! Besides not everyone even eats the damn thing Cake is probably the most wasted thing at parties IMO

Was the theme a Space party? something like that?

What about getting a picture and having it scanned onto a cake? Maybe Costco or BJs can do this. I can't see it being THAT expensive!!

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

I would make your own cake - I can't justify spending that much $$ on a cake.

You could decorate the cake in coordinating colors to the invitation.

Or you could even order a cake and have a picture put on - of Luce or the invitation. I believe BJs does this for a reasonable price.

I don't think anyone is going to make the comment that the cake didn't match the invitations. I wouldn't even think of that.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

nah.. spend that money some place else. Those cakes are gorgeous and I'd love one for my birthday, but you cut it apart and eat it.. just seems silly!

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

What if you had a BJs sheet cake with a scanned picture of the invite (or other theme related artwork) put on it? That way the cake is cheaper, not homemade, and still keeps within the theme?

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

Do what you can afford. Don't worry about disappointing anyone. They are coming to celebrate your amazing little man. $16 costco cake or $150 bday cake....it really doesn't matter. They love your son--that's what matters

ETA: Costco and BJ's cakes are fantastic. Always fresh and everyone about raves over them in my big italian family

Message edited 10/4/2010 1:43:54 PM.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

screw the cake..


I know there are some esty people that make custom designs out of sugar that can go on cakes and cup cakes... try that!!!!

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

$150 is not a lot for a custom cake, pretty cheap actually, but that said, its only going to be eaten. I would NEVER think twice if I was given a piece of betty crocker cake with some vanilla funfetti icing

I doubt you have anyone invited to your party that would judge you that way, as your not likely to be friendly with those types of people.

So that said, I wouldnt think twice about doing only what lets you sleep through the night.

No-one will get dissapointed over a cake.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

I wouldn't spend that much on a cake! You would die if I told you how much I paid for my cake, cupcakes, and favor cookies!

So, I say either you find a less expensive person to do your cake - or you get one from Bj's or Costco. They are delicious! People don't care where the cake comes from as long as there is cake to be eaten

ETA: Almost everything at my party was homemade (with the exception of a few things) and that does not set the tone for your party. People are coming to celebrate your son! I wouldn't care if someone gave me pizza and sodas, I would be thrilled for the birthday boy!

ETA: Ok, I realized that I am lying. I did spend that much on Jack's 1st birthday cake. I found a picture - brought it to a great bakery over here - they quoted me $800. Someone on LIF recommended the cake girl I use now, and she did it for me - for 150. So, yes, I have spent that much on a cake - but it's not necessary! Sorry about that!

Message edited 10/4/2010 1:50:15 PM.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

Take a picture of the theme to BJs, For $20 they will scan it onto a 1/2 sheet cake and it will look fantastic and taste good too.

$20. For the whole cake. Best deal going and custom.

And, when I go to a party at someone's home, regardless of the invite, I expect it to be warm and cozy and homey. Homemade food is worth the $80.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

I probably wouldn't.

I once used this lady on ebay to get an edible cake topper, it lays right on top of a sheet or round cake and the sugar kind of melts into the frosting. Everyone said they liked how it tasted. Maybe she can use a digital file you provide and then you can use the image from your invitation.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

I would but DH wouldn't. I wanted to get DS a $250 birthday cake for his first birthday but DH thought it was a waste. I ended up ordering cake toppers from etsy. They came out super cute and cost around $15.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

No, I wouldn't. BJ's makes delicious cakes for $20 and it feeds a ridiculous amount of people. I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a kids cake but that's just me.

EDIT - I had a custom invite as well to my DD's 1st bday.............that really doesn't imply anything as to the food that's served. I actually cooked everything for my DD's bday (penne ala vodka, sausage and peppers, etc. etc.) and had a BJ's cake and EVERYONE raved about the food (including the cake) and had a great time!

Message edited 10/4/2010 1:46:42 PM.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

My husband would kill me if I spend that much on a birthday cake.

1st birthday or not, that is absurd.

Don't worry so much about what other people think. I'm sure you can make a gorgeous cake for a fraction of the price.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

No, I would not. It's a cake...it gets eaten.

People are going to come to your party because they love you and your son. And if they're coming strictly because of some illusion, then I couldn't be bothered to care what they think anyhow. At the end of the day (and I hate that phrase!), it's a first birthday party.

Personally, and completely honestly, people go to so much trouble (myself included, frequently, to make things "just so"), but in the end, I've been to tons of parties--first and otherwise, and I really can't remember what their invitation looked like, what the cake tasted like, or what anybody was wearing. I remember the good (or bad ) times I had and the friends and family that were there.

Your cake is going to taste MUCH better anyhow

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

Screw the $150 cake, make your own. $150 is not a guarantee it'll even taste that great...

Like someone said, its cut, and then poof, its over...he won't even know the difference, and I've tasted lots of cakes, and still like homemade ones better

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

i wouldn't..
honestly i don't think half the people at the party even see the cake.
i know that happened to me with my boys christening.. they saw pictures afterwards

but BJ's and actually King Kullen cakes are awesome!! they have such yummy flavors. you can't go wrong!

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

Honestly, if it were me I could never spend that much on a cake. It's not to say that those who do are wrong, I just couldn't. Anyways, it's his first birthday party, people are coming to celebrate with him, regardless of how the cake looks. And no, I don't think people will be expecting a certain type of party since you send out custom invites, I know I don't.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

NO way would I spend $150 for a cake. That’s just crazy!!!!! Go to Costco, bjs, sams or a local grocery store and get a cake for less than $30.00.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

I am not showy at all and neither are my friends. We all have down to earth parties and expectations in line with that. That being said, to me anyone who would turn their noses up at anything you graciously offer them as a host to this party prob shouldn't be there. The party is to celebrate the birth of your son and have a fun time with family and friends. I would think anyone driving the 80 miles to be there with you is doing so out of love for you, your DH and your son. Not to attend the party with the cool fancy cake. If they are just there for the cake well they prob should not have come.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

thanks guys.

I am actually not a member of costco or bj's, so I'd have to pay the membership fee first anyway.

I guess I just feel guilty b/c our house is so far. I feel I have to dazzle people once they get here.

and donna, you are right. my family and friends are just wonderful people. and that is partially why I WANT to have great things for them. to show them I don't take there coming for granted.

I will have to think this through. maybe I'll do a 10 inch cake and surround them with cupcakes....I could work it like it's the Prince's planet maybe surrounded by the other planets?????

thanks again. and here I thought I was ahead of the game by getting most of the food cooked this past weekend



ETA: I just want to reiterate that I really appreciate you all for getting me in the right frame of mind. in the end, it's all about the love. thank you.

Message edited 10/4/2010 1:58:40 PM.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

No way!
For Landon first birthday, I made cupcakes.
For his second birthday, we got an Elmo cake from BJs.
Thats a lot of money for a cake IMO!

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

You could totally do really adorable cupcakes around a cake and impress. Make or order cupcake picks to stick in theme with the theme on it...

How about something "cheaper" like cookies etc made to match the theme.

At our party the cookies were a bigger hit then the cake.

Re: would you spend $150 on a birthday cake?

My parents bought my DS' 1st Bday cake from a bakery. I think they paid $100 or more.

I found a person to do my after. Not only is she reasonable, but, her cakes beat the bakery cake by a mile!

My answer, no, I would not spend $150 on a cake.

Message edited 10/4/2010 2:01:33 PM.