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.
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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!"
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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."
Full list of kids eat free offers
THERE are plenty of chains to choose from offering kids eat free programmes during school holidays. Choose from any of the following...
Angus Steakhouse – Kids under 8 and under eat free from the children's menu when an adult orders a meal; available daily from 12pm–5pm.
Ask Italian - During school holidays, kids eat for £1 when an adult buys a main. You'll need to get a code for the promotion by filling in a short form on the chain's website.
Asda Cafés – Kids' meals for £1 all day, every day across 205 stores nationwide. There's no minimum spend needed.
Bar + Block – Up to two children under 16 eat breakfast free with each adult buying one all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for £10.99.
Beefeater – Two kids under 16 can eat free with every adult breakfast bought for £10.99.
Bellia Italia - Kids eat free every Thursday and for £1 until 6pm, from Sunday to Wednesday when an adult meal is bought.
Bill's – Up to two kids eat free from Monday to Friday, when one adult orders any main dish breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Brewdog - One free kids meal for under 13s, when purchasing an adults main meal over summer holidays.
Brewers Fayre - Two kids under 16 eat free with every adult breakfast for £10.99.
Dobbies Garden Centres – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult main course,available every day.
Chiquito - One kid eats free with every adult main purchased overthe school holidays.
Côte Brasserie - Children aged 12 and under can tuck into two complimentary courses when parents spend a minimum of £20 over the school holidays.
Farmhouse Inns – Two kids eat free with one paying adult.
Franco Manca - One kid 12 and under get a complimentary individual kids pizza for every full-priced adult main meal from Monday to Thursday during the holidays.
Frankie & Benny's - Kids can eat for free every day when any adult meal is purchased.
IKEA – Kids meals start at 95p for pasta and tomato sauce available daily from 11am in restaurants.
Las Iguanas – Kids under 12 eat free with the My Las Iguanas App during the holidays.
Morrisons Cafés – One free kids' meal with any adult meal over £4.50. The offer is available daily.
Pausa Cafés at Dunelm – Kids eat free with every £4 spent in the café all day, everyday.
Premier Inn – Up to two kids eat free breakfast with an adult breakfast, £10.99.
PIzza Express - Kids get a free meal Monday to Friday when an adult meal is purchased during school holidays.
Sizzling Pubs – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult main meal, Monday to Friday between 3–7pm.
Tesco - Kids eat free, worth £4, when you purchase anything from the menu including fruit for 65p if you're a Clubcard holder
TGI Fridays – Kids eat free with any adult main meal for Stripes loyalty members, available all day, every day.
The Real Greek – Kids under 12 eat free with every £15 adult spend on Sundays only.
Yo! Sushi - Kids eat free all day with a full-paying adult during local school holidays.
Whitbread Inns - Two kids under 16 eat breakfast free with every adult full breakfast, £20.99.
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