Gift Guidance Needed

LCass · November 2012

Actually, it's DH who needs the guidance and I need the help of you lovely ladies to give it to him. My birthday is at the beginning of January and with the holidays in December if DH doesn't plan way ahead for my birthday (and MIL and SIL who also have January birthdays), he completely drops the ball.

I'd originally said that I thought we should just save our money for the trip to London we want to make in June, but when I thought about it some more I realized that I do want a gift to mark my 30th birthday. So I've got two ideas: an e-reader (I'm leaning towards asking my parents for this) or equipment for decorating baked goods. I love baking, but have only just started decorating what I bake (Lily's birthday cupcakes were the first thing I ever frosted and I just slathered it on). I have no clue what I need in order to make my yummy treats look beautiful. Please share your tools of the trade so I can ask DH to get them for me! TIA

pennysuedog · November 2012

Cake/cupcake decorating supplies:

All my links are from amazon because it was easier but he should shop around.

I know a lot of my friends shop at global sugar:

https://www.globalsugarart.com/

Many of these items can be bought at Michael's or JoAnn's (Use a coupon) or an online or local cake store.

Bags:

I like disposable,(for clean up) but I also have several of featherlight bags. I prefer the large sizes either 16-18 inch. You will need to cut them to fit your couplers.

https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Featherweight-Inch-Decorating-Bag/dp/B00006G92Q/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352407379&sr=1-3&keywords=Featherweight+Piping+Bag

https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-inch-Disposable-Decorating-Dispenser/dp/B0000VMEQ2/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352407484&sr=1-4&keywords=wilton+disposable+bags

I also like to make bags with parchment paper triangles (especially for writing) but these are not necessary.

couplers:

You will need several of these if you plan on making lots of color at the same time.

https://www.amazon.com/Ateco-4-Piece-Set-Standard-Couplers/dp/B00272GS64/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352407596&sr=1-1&keywords=couplers

Tips:

This set looks like everything most people would need. Plus it comes with a nail. I use a bamboo skewer to make my roses but I make mums and flat flowers with a nail.

https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-28-Piece-Deluxe-Tip-Set/dp/B00004S7YG/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352407700&sr=1-2&keywords=wilton+tips

You may also want to purchase a large star tip and large round tip for cupcakes, I use these with a disposable bag and I do not buy couplers to fit.

Combs/Scraper: For the sides of your cake

https://www.amazon.com/Amico-Decorating-Plastic-Scraper-Smoother/dp/B008LTK7PK/ref=sr_1_7?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352407894&sr=1-7&keywords=cake+comb

Offset spatula:

I have several different sizes but this one should be a useful size. Smaller ones would be better for cookies and cupcakes.

https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Angled-Spatula-Black-Handle/dp/B0000VM56G/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352407991&sr=1-1&keywords=off+set+spatula

Turn table:

You can spend a lot of money on these but I have this one for at home and it works just fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Trim-N-Turn-Ultra-Rotating-Stand/dp/B0016BPTSU/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352408233&sr=1-1&keywords=cake+turn+table

Good food coloring:

I used the Wilton because it is accessible but there are even better color online.

The cake store that closed by me used to sell these and I loved them

https://www.amazon.com/AmeriColor-Student-Soft-Paste-Color/dp/B0029YDR82/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352408454&sr=1-1&keywords=wilton+food+color+paste

A good mixer:)

If you want to used fondant you will need:

A rolling pin

A fondant smoother:

https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Easy-Glide-Fondant-Smoother/dp/B0000VMBQU/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352408667&sr=1-2&keywords=fondant+tools

pastry wheel:

https://www.amazon.com/Fondant-Sugar-Making-Cutter-Embosser/dp/B00834PMAI/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352408752&sr=1-5&keywords=fondant+wheel

now if you want to do gum paste stuff you need to talk to Anasazi.

There are tons of things you can buy but these are kind of the basics.

And a cute apron because a good baker is a dirty baker Stick out tongue

pennysuedog · November 2012

And pans:

I like the plain shiny aluminum ones:

get 6",8", and 10" but you can start with just one size.

Also buy parchment paper to line the bottom of your pan. If you don't buy circles liners you can just cut a circle out of a roll of parchment.

LCass · November 2012

Penny, you are amazing! Thank you sooo much for your answers. I've already got a mixer and pans (and several aprons that I always forget to put on until AFTER I've gotten dirty), but had no idea where to start with all the other stuff. This was great! And I think I'll hold off on gum paste stuff until I get used to this stuff first. Wink

pennysuedog · November 2012

No problem, happy baking/decorating.

Also I have never taken the class, but I know a lot of people take the Wilton basic decorating class. I know, especially when trying to learn how to make flowers it is nice to watch people. I bet you could You Tube it though.

LCass · November 2012

Heh, I was just looking online at signing up for a class. But youtubing is a brilliant idea. I'll check that out before I sign up (although getting out of the house and meeting people might be good for me, too. . .).

cantalopes24 · November 2012

Honestly, Id save the money for your trip and buy yourself something from London as a present. If you don't want to wait Id go with baking stuff.

Liz4444 · November 2012

You need jewelry to commemorate your 30th!

LCass · November 2012

Liz4444:
You need jewelry to commemorate your 30th!

Haha, I promised DH he didn't have to buy any more jewelry for several more years after he bought me a beautiful emerald and diamond set (earrings and necklace) to go with my emerald "wedding" ring while we were in Colombia. I still owe him at least 5 more years before I start asking for more jewelry.

And Lopes, I've been to London before so I don't need any souvenirs or anything while we're there. We can afford the trip without my foregoing a birthday present (as long as he doesn't go overboard on the present).

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