My Mother has offered to buy me some cake decorating stuff for Christmas, but I am not really sure what to go for. I have been decorating for about a year but I have found CC a few months ago and my world has opened dramatically. I have been learning and tryng so many new things. I am interested in trying some luster dusts. What are some good basic colors to start with? Also, I have thought about a silpat mat. Fondant tools are also something I would like to add. Can anyone give me a few suggestions on what you think would be a good way to spend my Chritmas money? Thanks!!
My first purchase was the Wilton cake decorating caddie (one with the blue top) as it came with a lot of tips, bags, practice board, couplers, colors, etc. Standard stuff for the beginning decorator.
I would get some nice spatulas, small angled, large angled, straight. My first set of luster dusts came from Cakesbysam.com and I love them. It came with pearl, gold, silver, champagne and one other. If you are getting in to fondant a good roller, the fondant rolling mat, the ribbon cutter, some cutouts, the fondant shaping tool is really nice, a fondant smoother. I would also invest in some masonite boards for your cakes as they are great for support and pretty inexpensive (sugarshack.com). I would just cover them in contact paper and make sure you get them back! A turntable is also a nice to have.
There are just so many things and I seem to still keep buying!
Are you in an area where they offer Wilton classes? I would not buy anything except the blue Wilton kit until I find out. Many of us started our cake decorating hobby/career that way.
There are three kits that are purchased for the three different courses, and many, if not all, of the tools/tips you need will be in the blue kit (WMIs, help me out here!).
You are lucky in that there will be a fondant/gumpaste class offered by Wilton starting early next year.
Stores that I know offer Wilton classes -
AC Moore Arts and Crafts
Michaels Arts and Crafts
Joann Fabrics
Many independent cake supply stores also offer Wilton classes.
The courses are relatively inexpensive, and sometimes the store will offer a special price on a class or lesson kit.
Do some research in your area to see what is offered.
Theresa 
Then check local shops to see if they sell the course books, so you can teach yourself. I know the AC Moore stores near me sell them, but I do not know about other companies.
As far as colors go, primary (blue, red, yellow) and secondary (green, orange, purple) are essential colors, as all other colors are made from these. Order your petal dusts from that point. For luster dusts, I would decide on what projects I want to use them on, what colors I want to do the projects in, then take it from there. Of course, you can never have enough red (JMO).
Theresa
That really depends what type of decorating you like to do.
With me, since I only do Fondant, I do not have any desire for Air Brush, piping tips, anything used for Royal Icing or buttercream piping, or any edible image equipment. It's not my style that's why I do not care for it.
I have quiet a selection of FOndant molds, textured rolling pins and mats and everything used for Fondant decorations.
After you have chosen the type of decorating you like to do, sit down and make a list of the things you desire for the type of decorating . Do you have a KA mixer already ? if not you can ask for that in lieu of the little things.
I think I'd invest in a good cake saw. I find mine invaluable. I have the large Wilton one - because it works for all sized cakes.
Maybe some books or tapes of new techniques to try.
My wish list (the short list) contains good pans in a few sizes and some silpats.
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