I wasn't going to fork out hundreds for a Stitch birthday cake for my daughter so made my own with Tesco bargains
ALL parents want to create a magical birthday for their little ones, but the truth is costs can quickly add up, especially if you want a posh cake.
That's why one mum decided to take matters into her own hands instead of forking out hundreds for a professionally made character cake.
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She took to the popular Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group to show off her "Stitch cake done cheap."
The glorious cake looked like it could've cost a fortune, but thanks to a few savvy supermarket buys the entire thing came to just £25.
And amazingly, she didn't even have to bake anything, so her DIY creation is perfect for a baking novice.
First, she snapped up the pink drip cake from Asda for just £14.
Although the trendy cake looked great on its own, the mum decided to go all out with her DIY cake design, so headed to Tesco to bag some more bargains.
To surround the main cake, she bought cupcakes for £4, as well as a cake base for £1.50.
To add to the base and main cake she snapped up loads of pink and blue sweets, which she piled high.
And the cherry on top was a Stitch cake topper, which she ordered from eBay for £5.
After a little time sorting everything out, the finished cake could've fooled anyone into thinking it took hours and cost a fortune.
So, it's no surprise other Facebook users were amazed by the creation too.
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One commented on the viral post: "We do this every year for our sons birthday! Buy a plain birthday cake and decorate it with whatever he's into that year."
"Clever clogs!!! It's fabulous!!!" another wrote.
And a third chimed in: "Looks awesome, well done!"
Meanwhile, other parents revealed they've been giving the same money-saving hack a go and have made some stunning cakes in the process.
One mum showed off a cake she had decorated to fit a Barbie theme, complete with pink glitter, butterflies, and gold stars.
Another showed off a spitfire-themed cake she made for her son using a supermarket cake and some fondant.
And someone else revealed they used the hack for their wedding cake.
"My wedding cakes [from] M&S, all four cakes you can personalise on there website. £150 for all 4. The toppers cost £50 in total from eBay," she said.
How much do experts advise spending on a child's birthday?
A study by major toy retailer TK Maxx revealed that one in three parents admit to spending less on presents for their own children and their children's friends compared to five years ago.
Average Spend: Parents spend an average of £175 on birthday gifts for their kids, while presents for their children's friends can cost up to £95 a year, adding extra strain on household finances.
Gifts and Parties: Children receive around 12 presents per birthday, and parents take their kids to an average of four birthday parties annually.
Top Five Gifts Parents Buy for Children:
Clothes: 49%
Books: 46%
Technology: 39%
Traditional Board Games: 38%
Remote Controlled Toys: 26%
Dolls: 25%
How Much Should You Spend on a Child's Birthday?
Experts generally suggest keeping birthday spending reasonable and within the family's budget. A common guideline is to spend around £10 to £20 per year of the child's age. For example:
5-year-old: £50 to £100
Remember, the focus should be on creating memorable experiences rather than adhering strictly to a spending rule.
Simple, thoughtful, and creative celebrations can often be just as enjoyable and meaningful for the child.
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