So I got a repeat client last week, requesting a Christmas cake for a party. She said she wanted it to be 2 tier, the bottom being round, the top a small square to be decorated like a gift.
We discussed design, colors, patterns, etc. She said she just wanted it to Christmas-y, and pretty much left it at that.
I found the angel cake by Aine2, and thought it was so beautiful. I used that design as inspiration for the cake.
When the woman picked up the cake, she was very quiet, saying how disappointed she was, that she was expecting a red and green cake, and that this did not represent Christmas.
Personally, I thought the cake was beautiful and very classy, as did everyone else who walked into my shop that day. I told her I was disappointed that she wasn't happy with the design, as I thought she would be.
I guess you can't please them all, but this one really broke my heart for some reason.
Thanks for listening, just wanted to vent.

I'd LOVE to have this on my Christmas table!!

Golly....unless specific specifics are discussed...ie: particular color, theme, etc....then the sugarplums they envision in their heads are not going to be the sugarplums envisioned in your head...

And who knows what a sugarplum really looks like, anyway....

You did a great job, and I can't see where there could be much dissapointment.

Your cake is very beautiful and looks very Christmas-y. I think that some people only think of red and green when they think of Christmas and this lady must have been one of those. I'm finding that more and more people don't have much input on the design of a cake (exact colors, etc.) but then find that they don't like the outcome because it's not "what they saw in their head". Well, if you explain what's in your head, I'll make that!

You did what you were asked (square top to look like a gift and round bottom layer) and you made a beautiful cake! I'm sorry that she was disappointed, but you aren't to blame.

She should have told you what colors that she really wanted, but hey if people have no clue what they really want then how on earth are we suppose to know then. Don't let her get to you. You cake came out very nice.

I think you're cake is gorgeous. If she had wanted red & green, she should have told you "red & green". Unfortunately, alot of people don't have a whole heap of imagination so they can't seem to appreciate something that's a little outside of the box.

I think your cake is beautiful, she should have told you exactly what she wanted. I too would be glad to have that on my table!

awww.... that is the PITS ! Your cake is BEAUTIFUL....... but you are not a mind reader........ how could you know what she wanted if she left it up to you, and didn't even tell you red and green ?

Your cake is beautiful very Christmas-y and elegant. I agree with the others that if she wanted red and green, she should have specified that.

On the other hand, at least she told you about her concern, and politely even. While it hurts to hear, it's better than her just quietly taking it home and never ordering again. The fact that she told you makes me think that she will still be a customer, just maybe a more specific one next time.

I agree with pps. I think your cake is beautiful, but that is exactly why I never, ever, ever take an order in which the customer has instructed me to do something "festive...birthday.....spring-like.....fall-ish.....etc, etc"

If they want to leave the design up to me, that's fine, but before I even begin the cake, I make contact with them detailing exactly what I am going to do.
I would say that MOST times, they want some kind of change. Figures LOL

Thanks all for the kind words. I think I'll just set up tape recorder and let people know that "this consultation may be monitored for accuracy and/or training purposes"!

First of all, let me say your cake is very beautiful and elegant, very classy, and would be perfect at an upscale, sophisticated event. But, I would have to say I think that most people would think red and green when they say "Christmas-y". However, the customer really should have been more specific as to what "Christmas-y" meant to her. I mean, it could be Santa and elves for one person, but someone else could object to that and want a very religious rather than secular theme. Or something less juvenile. "Christmas-y" could mean different things to different people.

Generally, unless it's a repeat customer whose taste I know well and know they would like whatever I do, even if they leave a lot of the design up to me, I will call them back and let them know what ideas I've come up with and get their approval.

But again, it is a gorgeous cake!

Well...the cake is lovely. Really. And how pedestrian of her to think Christmas can only be represented by two colors. Some people are so uncreative.
Basically, she didn't give you much direction, so it really wasn't a mix up with something you did. If she is a client that you like and want to keep, offer her 10% off next time, and then ride her for details she is interested in. Even though you don't have to offer a discount like this, it is a nice thing to do for a repeat customer.
Good luck!

I offered her a discount on that particular cake at pick up, and she refused. Like I said, you can please them all.

sing this:

every party needs a pooper, that's why we invited (insert name of client) -- party pooper.

ok...fess up ---

you make a beautiful cake and then don't tell us how you made all those cute little leaves that make the trees.... (holds candy cane like a gun) spill your guts or else (I would threaten sugar shock -- but isnt' that impossible for cakers?)

What a beautiful cake! I wouldn't sweat it! I know most colors, in regards to Christmas, have changed over the years. Lots of people are doing turquoise, chocolate, pinks, and blues. Everyone's interpretation of what something should be is different! Chin up! Great job!

I think your cake is absolutely gorgeous first off. But, I always, and I mean always, make them pick out the color from either a color swatch or I mix the color and have them pick. I know what I like but believe me, some people are totally different not to mention some people are notorious for changing their minds.

She may have been surprised/disappointed in the colors when she picked it up, but I bet you anything that when she set out the cake at her party, all the guests oohed and aahed over it. Hopefully she feels better about it now. You did a great job with it, I think it's elegant, wintery, and Christmasy!

What a beautiful, elegant creation you made!! It is so nicely done.


But.....I somewhat agree w/the customer.......if you had keept everything exactly as is but used a very light green instead of blue it would have been perfect. Anyway that is just MHO

Most people do think red and green for Christmas. However, Hobby Lobby doesn't always. Look at this ad they ran for Christmas 2005:

http://www.hobbylobby.com/holiday_messages/images/messages/2005c.jpg

By the way, my DH and I decorate a bulletin board at our church and for the past two years we've used blue and white. Really, I do agree that she should've said so if that's what she wanted. I'll bet she'll be more specific next time.

I agree, your cake is beautiful and elegant. I too bet that everyone else oooed and ahhhed!
I'm wondering though if it doesn't represent Christmeas then what holiday would she think it DOES represent? One of those questions you want to ask them, but refrain out of common curtousy and respect.

Teri
Wife, Mom of 3, daughter, friend, sister, and daughter to the King Jesus Christ!
Merry Christmas to all!

Your cake is very pretty. I don't think it's Christmas-sy, I'm afraid. But she should have told you what colors she wanted instead of telling you to do whatever. It's a great cake and I bet the people who went to her party loved it.

Oh man eriksmom!! The cake is beautiful! Unfortunately, I think it's more "wintery" than "christmassy" IMHO. But I'm SURE as it sat on the table and the guests said "WOW!! Who made that cake?!" she probably started thinking differently. Believe me... this has more than likely happened to 99% of custom cakers including Colette Peters, Duff, etc. And I know how it breaks your heart when you put so much time and effort into a cake and the response is just kinda... blah. Sleep well tonight. It's gorgeous!

To Doug:

I used the PME rose leaf plunger to make the trees, then painted them with silver luster dust mixed with vodka. No, I didn't drink the vodka after this episode. I was a good girl, I went out and bought a bottle of White Zin instead!

I love it & I just want to know why you have not posted a picture in the gallery so I can save it to my faves? It is such an elegant cake.

That's GORGEOUS!!! But.... everyone has different taste. In the future, it's always best to discuss colors, ect with each order. I've learned to be very specific.

It really is beautiful.... to bad....

Jen

Hey! did she think it looked like a halloween cake? THAT is xmas alright. I find some customers just need to be coazed out to spilling whats on their mind...i usually do end up getting them to commit on color and or some basic design-saves headaches later. But you did a great job regardless.

It is gorgeous! I agree with some others who say that she realized how silly she was when her guests were admiring your cake!

It's a beautiful cake! When I think Christmas & holiday party, I think of white & the soft blues, so it'd have been perfect for me! Don't let her get you down, I bet by tommorrow she'll love it, her guests will go gaa gaa over it!

Holy smoke! You're a caker, not a mind-reader. Summernoelle is right. Next time treat her to a discount and then ride her for details. Kindly say that you don't wish to disappoint her again and ask very specific details. As for the cake...it's absolutely beautiful. Tasteful, elegant and indeed very Christmassy.