logo
I'm sick of mums forking out £70 for birthday cakes so DIY-ed one for my son with Asda buys for a fraction of the cost

I'm sick of mums forking out £70 for birthday cakes so DIY-ed one for my son with Asda buys for a fraction of the cost

Scottish Suna day ago

Plus, a full list of where your kids can eat free this summer holiday
THAT'S SWEET I'm sick of mums forking out £70 for birthday cakes so DIY-ed one for my son with Asda buys for a fraction of the cost
WITH the cost of living continuing to squeeze household budgets, many parents are looking for ways to save money, especially when it comes to celebrations like birthdays.
A birthday cake is often a centrepiece, but with many shop-bought cakes costing a small fortune, it doesn't have to break the bank.
2
Crystal managed to make her own birthday themed cake for her son
Credit: tiktok/@crystal.jewell3
One mum has shown that you can create a fun, personalised cake for your child without spending a lot – and it can still be a big hit.
Crystal, a mum who shared a video on her TikTok page @crystal.jewell3, revealed how she made her son's ninth birthday cake using budget-friendly items from Asda.
Admitting she often leaves things until the last minute.
She added: "But hey, we moved and he's gonna have a birthday cake no matter what.'
Determined to make her son's day special, Crystal dashed to Asda before school pick-up and grabbed two of the budget Just Essentials by ASDA chocolate cakes, which costs £4.53 each.
She also bought chocolate icing, Kinder treats, Happy Hippos, and other sweets.
She explained: 'I can bake cakes but they come out shit half of the time, so I wasn't getting a chance at it today.'
Stacking the two cakes on top of each other, Crystal got creative with her decorations, layering the cake with the icing.
She then decorated the top of the cake herself, by adding her chocolate bars around the cake, as well as the Happy Hippos and Kinder egg surprises on top of the cake.
She admitted she didn't bother decorating the back of the cake, as she asked: "Who's going to see the back of the cake?" before adding: "Well in all honesty I never bought enough of them straw thingies (Chocolate straws) to even decorate the back of the cake.'
I DIY-ed a 'professional' level kids' birthday cake for less than £25 using Amazon & eBay buys - I didn't bake a thing
Despite her self-deprecating humour, Crystal's efforts paid off.
Once she put the cake into a box and revealed the finished product, she said: 'For some, you may look at it and think what a load of s**t.
"But do you know what? When he's here, he was over the moon.'
Within two days of her video being shared, Crystal went viral gaining one million views, and 1,681 comments as many people rushed to share their thoughts.
One wrote: "Let's normalise this kind of cake over the £70 baked cake for birthdays!"
2
She bought two chocolate cakes from ASDA Just Essential section
Credit: tiktok/@crystal.jewell3
A second added: "I'm gonna do this for my daughters graduation cake as I can't afford to get one done.
"Going to get two plane cakes. Lob em together and add some decorations from Amazon. Bish bash bosh well done us mums."
Whilst a third said: "The child will remember his cake, not how much it was.
"You've saved money on cake for other things. Top mum."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mum shares Appleby haul with ‘Gucci sliders' & fake Chanel – as people say she'd ‘absolutely love Turkey'
Mum shares Appleby haul with ‘Gucci sliders' & fake Chanel – as people say she'd ‘absolutely love Turkey'

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

Mum shares Appleby haul with ‘Gucci sliders' & fake Chanel – as people say she'd ‘absolutely love Turkey'

THOUSANDS of travellers gathered for Appleby Horse Fair as the annual event kicked off last week. Tens of thousands of visitors flooded into the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, ahead of the festivities. 5 5 5 The six-day event typically features traditional music, dancing, horse riding, market stalls and horse sales. Horsemen and women were seen riding their horses in the nearby River Eden as part of a long-held tradition. Amongst the visitors was also mum Sinead Smith who managed to drive home with a mega haul of cut-price knock-offs, including fake Gucci sliders for just a tenner - and more. Sinead, who is 28, has been going to the event ''every year'' and last week's festivities saw her bag numerous goodies. The mum shared the epic haul on TikTok, showing off knock-offs of the on-trend New Balance trainers for just £20 - around four times cheaper than the real deal. ''I bought everything on Sunday morning because they bring the prices down,'' Sinead explained in the video, adding that the trainers were originally going for £35. The mega haul also included stunning gym sets in sage and baby blue, which looked like a Lululemon fake. While the posh jacket alone would set you back more than £100, Sinead said she paid ''£70 for the lot''. Chuffed with the wallet-friendly finds, the bargain-mad mother also showed off knock-offs for Nike trainers that cost her just a tenner, a few pairs of ''Gucci sandals'' going for £10, as well as gold Louis Vuitton-style sliders. ''£25 - I paid a tenner for them,'' Sinead said. I've found the best little-known store for designer bargains - there's Gucci, Louboutins, Versace and more for cheap Meanwhile, the real ''star of the show'' was the ''matching'' Chanel knock-off purse. ''All weekend I'd wanted a version of this and I'd seen them but they were like £120, £110. ''I think the cheapest I seen was £70 and I thought 'It's not too bad but I still don't want to pay that for a fake bag'.'' Is it Illegal to Buy 'Designer' Dupes in Turkey? In Turkey, buying counterfeit goods is generally considered illegal. If you buy a counterfeit product for personal use, you're unlikely to be prosecuted against - unless your purchase involves a significant quantity or the intent to resell. Customs authorities have the power to stop and seize counterfeit goods entering or leaving Turkey. That means they can stop you upon your return home and seize any designer dupes you've bought on holiday. Luckily for the bargain hunter, who posts under the username @ sineadsmithx1, she then spotted a man who was selling the bag for £60 - but her partner managed to bag the stylish purse for just £40. ''I couldn't believe it, it's absolutely beautiful and I love it.'' Pleased with the goodies she went home with, Sinead dubbed the horse hair ''dupe central''. ''There's about 100/150 stalls at Appleby. Something for everyone, it is great.'' 'You'd absolutely love Turkey' Sinead's bargain haul has clearly left many open-mouthed, as the video has racked up close to 200k views in just two days. More than 120 people flooded to comments, where one joked: ''I tell you what , you'd absolutely love Turkey.'' The popular holiday destination has long been regarded as the 'capital of fakes' among Brits looking to rock designer styles for the price of a coffee. A quick four hour flight could land you in a bustling market flogging 'Gucci belts' for £3 and Louis 'Fuitton' handbags for £20. Another visitor chimed in: ''There was some lovely stuff there just the rain was a downer.'' Someone else said: ''I never knew Appleby sells like clothes n that. Might have to go next year.'' ''Lovely stuff, I went to Appleby years ago and had an amazing time,'' a viewer penned. 5 5

Comedy star and budding politician dead at 27, sister confirms
Comedy star and budding politician dead at 27, sister confirms

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Comedy star and budding politician dead at 27, sister confirms

Brazilian social media star Gordinho Maniçoba has died at the age of 27. The news was confirmed by the comedian's sister, Joelma Vatapá, on his Instagram story on Wednesday. 'I wanted to give you a lot of information, but unfortunately the news is not good,' a visibly shaken Vatapá said in a video. 'Our icon, the idol of many people and who brought joy to everyone ... Unfortunately, he passed away this morning.' Vatapá did not reveal Gordinho Maniçoba's cause of death. 'The one who made us laugh so much ... today brings tears of longing,' she wrote in a separate post. 'But in our hearts, he will always live on, in the memories, in the gestures, in the stories that will never be erased.' Fellow internet humorist Bob Fllay revealed in a social media post that Gordinho Maniçoba was found dead by his mother. Brazilian comedian Gordinho Maniçoba has died at the age of 27, his sister revealed Wednesday Brazilian Instagram star and comedia Gordinho Maniçoba with his fiancé, Isa Gomes 'I recently received the news that Gordinho Maniçoba had passed away,' Fllay wrote. 'His mother went to wake him up to give him medicine and he was already dead.' Gordinho Maniçoba, whose real name was Felipe Dezincourt, won the hearts of more than 253,000 on his Instagram account with funny videos that detailed his life in Belem, a port city in north Brazil that is a gateway to the Amazon River. His last post on Instagram was Saturday when he broke the news that he had reached 30,000 followers on Facebook. 'We're growing there slowly without going over anyone,' he wrote. 'Gratitude and let's go up.' Although he had been relegated to a wheelchair since his childhood, he used his fame to raise awareness for people with disabilities. Gordinho Maniçoba sought public office in 2022 when he ran for representative of Pará under the Brazilian Democratic Movement, but was not elected. On May 31, he celebrated his one-year engagement with his fiancé, Isa Gomez. 'You will always be in my heart,' she wrote in a heartbreaking Instagram post that featured a reel of pictures. 'Your departure has left a void that will never be filled, but your memory and love will stay with me forever. Thank you for being my companion, my friend and my love. You will be deeply remembered and loved.' Gordinho Maniçoba won the hearts of more than 253,000 on his Instagram account with funny videos that detailed his life in Belem, a port city in north Brazil that is a gateway to the Amazon River The popular comedian's passing stunned his close friends and legion of fans. 'Sadness doesn't suit someone who spread so much joy wherever he went, but today it's impossible not to feel it,' read the caption of Helder Barbalho, a local youth group leader. 'The departure of @gordinhomanicoba leaves a huge void, of a person who always spread smiles, both on and off social media. His energy was unique, and now he leaves behind the legacy of someone who lived in the world. All my solidarity to his family, friends and admirers.' Brazilian TikToker Rosivaldo Tavares, who was featured on a skit that drew more than 160,000 likes on Gordinho Maniçoba's Instagram in March, described the special bond they. 'Life is not the same without you, my brother. I miss you constantly, but the memory of the moments together warms my heart,' Tavares' caption read on an Instagram Story post that showed them as they were about to shake hands. 'Despite the pain, I remember the happy times we spent together. You will always be remembered fondly. The love that united us is eternal, and even though you are no longer here, it remains strong in my heart.'

Can these five viral TikTok fashion gadgets REALLY solve every wardrobe crisis from fabric shaver to stretch belt?
Can these five viral TikTok fashion gadgets REALLY solve every wardrobe crisis from fabric shaver to stretch belt?

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

Can these five viral TikTok fashion gadgets REALLY solve every wardrobe crisis from fabric shaver to stretch belt?

TIKTOK is a goldmine for hacks - and right now, it's overflowing with gadgets that claim to solve every wardrobe crisis. As a fashion assistant, I'm no stranger to quick-fixes. I've always got a safety pin and double-sided tape in my bag - ready to rescue a hem, a neckline, or a stubborn zip. 11 With over a million videos under #fashionhacks, my feed is full of weird and wonderful gizmos promising to make fashion mishaps a thing of the past. But are any of them actually worth your money? Here, I put them to the test to see which really work. Mini Stitch Gun, £15.99, Amazon Being petite myself with a fuller bust, finding clothes that fit just right can be a challenge. The Mini Stitch gun first caught my attention on TikTok, where fans of the product hailed it as the 'ultimate fashion hack'. One video of the gun had over 41.5k views. It works by inserting a small, removable plastic stitch to hold fabric in place, perfect for closing button gaps, hiding bra straps, or temporarily hemming jeans. I was impressed by how quick and easy this is to use. This particular kit included helpful step by step picture instructions, five needle replacements and lots of extra fastenings plus a handy travel case. There's no need to apply a lot of pressure, you simply squeeze the trigger and the stitch is in. The stitch is made of plastic so it feels secure and holds all day. Although it was visible close up, it didn't show in photos. Nobody mentioned to me they could see it. This is a game changer for my wardrobe. Rating: 8/10 Impressed customers film themselves using the Philips GCO26 Fabric Shaver which has racked up over 1,000 five-star Amazon reviews Fabric Shaver, £9.99, Phillips 11 11 Electric fabric shavers had a big moment a few years ago, and the buzz is back… pun intended. They became popular during Covid-19 as people took more of an interest in extending the lifespan of their clothes. I've only ever tried a super cheap one from the Poundshop, so I decided to give the more pricey £9.99 Phillips version a try. This one in particular was described as 'magic' by one user on TikTok, with another calling it a 'game changer'. One video recommending the model in question has also racked up over 50.3k views. It comes with picture instructions and 2 AA batteries. The cover for inserting batteries slides off without much effort but does stay put during use. Quite a few Tiktok users commented that it's important to remove the plastic cap, with some forgetting to do so and not finding it as effective. But once it's off, it's easy to use. Simply flick the on switch and gently glide the shaver over any bobbles to remove them. It's really effective and better than anything I've used before. Gone are the days of washing a jumper once and being ruined by dreaded bobbles, plus it works on sofas and soft furnishings too. Rating: 10/10 Reusable Plush Roller, £5.99 (for 2), Amazon 11 In theory, this sticky roller is a brilliant idea, eliminating the need for disposable lint sheets. These ones were £5.99 for two on Amazon but I've seen them for as little as £1 each on Tiktok shop. Sadly the low price is reflected in the product quality. The plastic case broke almost immediately after I took them out of the packaging. That said, it does still do the job. Simply roll the sticky pad over your clothes and it picks up any unwanted dust, fluff and hair really easily. The adhesive pad is super sticky so it really clings to everything. To clear it, you just rinse the pad under water. You are supposed to remove it from the case, but I struggled to do this in fear of breaking it as it's so flimsy. The biggest problem I found was drying it. You can't use a towel or cloth as it's so sticky that it just gathers more dust. While it comes with its frustrations, I do think it's worth having. With a little product development, it could be a useful tool to have around the house. Rating: 5/10 No Sew Jean Button, from £2.50 for 2, Amazon 11 11 Oversized jeans have been the must have style for a few seasons, and as much as I love the relaxed look, I still want my jeans to fit properly around my waist. I always fall between sizes so shopping for the perfect pair is a real struggle. Thankfully, I (or rather TikTok) has found the perfect solution with these genius removable no-sew buttons. They come screwed together, and whilst it takes a little force to pull both pieces apart (especially with nails - and mine aren't exactly long), that does mean they won't budge once screwed in place. To use, you push the pin through where you want the new button to go, snap the backing piece in from the back to create a new button and a tighter waistband. Plus, they're reusable, so if your size does fluctuate, like mine, you can easily move them without damaging your jeans. They come in gold and silver and there are many designs to choose from. Although slightly fiddly, once you get the hang of it, they're such a smart, budget friendly alternative to buying new jeans. Elastic Stretch Belt, £8.95 for 2, Amazon 11 TikTokers deem this elastic belt to be the best solution for achieving the 'perfect tuck'. If you struggle with tucking and cropping your T-shirts and jumpers, or even if you have a top that's too long and, when tucked in, creates an unflattering bulky look around your waist, this product is designed to eliminate the problem. The adjustable band fixes around your waist, allowing you to securely tuck your top into it. The clasp is easy to use and the two pack includes a black and a white version, which is a plus, as they will work with any outfit. I was skeptical about this one, and personally I don't think it's worth nearly £9. Sure, it helps create a clean tuck, but the elastic was very uncomfortable around my waist after a few hours of wear. I think a regular belt could do the job just as well and would probably look nicer too. VERDICT Not every TikTok gadget lived up to the hype, but a few stood out as genuinely smart solutions. I'll definitely be adding a couple of them to my styling kit, as well as my own personal wardrobe. Some of these affordable devices have proven to make a real difference, especially to those who favour convenience without compromising on style. I was especially impressed with the pricing of the products too. These are all budget-friendly alternatives to visiting a tailor or buying brand new products. So if you're navigating fluctuating sizes or want to refresh your favourite jumpers, these trending tools actually prove that most of the time, TikTok hacks do deliver.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store