I am getting ready to do the "pink pillow with a Yankees baseball and tiara" for a very special 12 year old girl. She does remind me of myself in a lot of ways - bakes when she is bored/stressed/feeling creative. I would like to give her a gift of some start up decorating/cake tools as a present and would love input on what I should include.

I was thinking disposable bags and a few of the general tips with some recipes. Can you guys help me with "start up" kit ideas?

Many thanks for your kind help,

Wow, where to begin! I think I started with tips and bags, don't forget some couplers.
The recipes are a great idea!
Maybe a basic decorating book?
All arranged nicely in a set of cake pans?

What if you get one of those caboodles things from Walmart or somewhere, that is used for makeup stuff, it has a couple of diffent levels to it. Anyway...you could do the disposable bags, recipes printed on cards so they are easy to keep, an apron, tips that are used frequently, maybe a couple of different size (smaller ones) cake pans, and a certificate that gives her time to spend with you one on one learning some tips and techniques? I have 3 girls and this is a great idea!!! Let me know what you decide to go with! GL!

Maybe some couplers and an off set spatula for icing...OR a roller to smooth her buttercream! Definitely the bags, tips and recipes. She's gonna LOVE you for it. I know I WOULD!

Beth in KY

A couple jars of food coloring would be good, they have packs of the smaller jars in basic colors from Wilton.
Molding candy is also something fun for kids to do and the candies can be used on cakes so molds and melts would be good.
Some fun cupcake papers would be good for a kid.
Small pans, she'd be able to try several different ideas at a time.
Cookie cutters, she could decorate if she wanted or just cut out and serve.

I would sit down and figure out what you want to spend and then go to a store and see what they have that looks fun.

Oh wow...what I would have given to receive a gift like that at 12! I think the bags, tips and couplers are a must....maybe an offset spatula, small pans....maybe even a box of cake mix and canned icing, since she's only 12....that way she could practice right away! A beginner's decorating book would be neat too!

Great idea!

How much are you wanting to spend? A thought would be to give her the gift of (a Wilton) class if she is really interested in it. You can buy the C1 Kit along with a gift card that would cover the cost of the first class and maybe a little extra?

If you just want to do pieces parts, then yes some bags, tips such as 3, 12, 16/18, 21, 104, and 67/352 and couplers. I agree a book would be a good idea as well as well as an offset spatula. There are so many things...

I say think of your most used 'tools' and then consider those. Because the most used are usually what we all need.

I think the beginners decorating book would be a good idea. I thought Wilton made little prepacked kits that came with a book, some tips, bags, couplers, and colors...

oooohhhh what a great gift idea! I bought a few things for my 13 year old niece and I included merengue powder and sprinkles and a small cake decorating book. Disposable bags and couplers are great too.

I also agree it depends on what you want to spend. But as a mom we all know kids want to play with there toys right away. So a small pan set and the cake mix and ya the ready made frosting. The bag, couplers and a few tips. And some colorings if you want to go that far. A book would also be nice. But like another person said mybe give her your time to help her. If she admires your cakes she would love to get your help. So even give her a little certificate for a day with you. And you can supply the tools and the cake for her to decorate and to take home.. Just a few thoughts.. I hope to here how this turns out.

I do not know how much you want to spend, but Wilton has the 25 piece decorating set for 11.99 msrp. And with a coupon, you could actually get her the 50 piece tool caddy for around 27.00.

If I were buying something like that for a child, I would get the tool caddy set, so they have some place to store everything.

But that's just my opinion.

Theresa

Thanks you guys, great ideas....

I didn't even think about a mix or even the class....

I am going to go shopping this weekend and put together something for her - in a great case.

Thanks again!