Monday is my son, Jake’s 27th birthday.
First of all – how did that happen? Where did the time go?! I feel like I’m still 27, so how could my “child” be 27?
Anyway – when trying to decide what to get Jake for his birthday, we thought money was what he would appreciate most.
But I hate just writing a check or enclosing money in a card.
I need to be a bit more creative and personal than that.
So here is what I made for Jake. A birthday money cake!
I think this is a cake even pie lovers would like – right?!
It really was quite simple to make.
The layers are stryofoam discs with rolled dollar bills pinned to them.
I then made a “bow” from a $20, a $5, and two $1 bills to represent 27 years. The layers are covered with 100 $1 bills.
I used an 8″ piece for the bottom “layer,” then two 6″ ones glued together (they were not as high as the others, and I wanted to create more height), and the top is a 4″ piece.
I finished it off with some ribbon and poked 27 candles in too.
So – is Jake going to love it or is he going to want to shoot me for making him work so hard to take it apart to get his money???
I’m guessing the latter, but that makes me smile. 🙂
And I think Colleen will get a kick out of it.
Yep – these are the things I do at
life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi



What a creative idea! Love it! Will have to remember it! Thanks for sharing, I will take a cake like that any time 🙂 LOL!
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Thanks Joy! Sometimes its just about taking something ordinary and making it EXTRAordinary that is fun.
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Oh Jodi! I showed this to my husband, he liked it and said, “I am assuming she didn’t light the candles!” Haha!
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That is adorable! What a cute idea! I think he will love it because of the work you put into it.
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Thanks PJ!
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Oh my! That is such a creative idea. And it turned out beautifully too 🙂
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Thanks Kaygy – and it could be done for so many occassions – wedding, shower, etc.
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This is a fantastic idea, Jodi! What a cool mom!!
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thanks John – tell my boys I’m cool – they will strongly disagree, but we can go with it 🙂
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Love it! I’ve gotta steal that idea! Great post!
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I totally agree with John. Coolest Mom ever!
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You are definitely the bestest!!! :
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What a clever idea!
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Jodi, you’re a true artist! I’ve never seen anything like this, absolutely gorgeous. I’m sure Jake was more then delighted. 🙂
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Wow – thanks Dina- it really wasn’t that hard, but made for such a fun presentation! Your compliment made me smile! 🙂
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Great, Jodi! 🙂
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Wow this is way better than the money cakes my mom used to make us (I think we had pennies then) Love it.
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LOL! Inflation! 🙂
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Wow! I love this! I’m going to steal this idea and do it for my son!
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that would be great – how old is he? though I can’t imagine any age that wouldn’t love it! 🙂
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Actually, I have two of them and since one is married and across the country (age 27 same as yours!) I’m just trying to figure out how to do one for his brother still here at home (age 15 soon to be 16) without the older one finding out so I can do one for him on his next b-day! Of course, there’s the whole shipping it cross country thing……*ever notice nothing is as easy as you think it will be??
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OMG Your 16 year old will LOVE it! Secret might be harder to keep than the mail deal! 🙂
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Hah! You’re probably right about both of those things! I can not understand how a 16-year-old boy can NEED so much money when every single thing in his life is provided FOR him! 🙂
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I love this idea!! I’m planning on doing it for my cousin’s birthday, and I was just wondering where you got the stryofoam discs from?? Thank You!!
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Thanks Sarah! I know your cousin will love it! I bought the Styrofoam at Michael’s craft store I believe.
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Thank You!
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How fun is this!!!! Thanks for showing us how to do it from start to finish. I just may have to copy this idea!!
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Please do! It makes an amazing gift!! 😝
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This is a wonderful idea. I’m thinking I’ll make one for my son & his fiance’ for their engagement party. I’m sure they will get plenty of photo albums and frames but I think this will definitely stand out. Instead of candles, I thought I’d use fresh flowers around the cake and then on the top I would place a small frame with a picture of them together. I think I’ll use ribbon in their wedding colors. If you have any other suggestions to use on this cake, please feel free to let me know them.
I see you used straight pins….did you stick the pins through the money and then into the foam?? Thanks for the great idea and your help. Marianne
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What a wonderful idea Marianne! Your idea sounds absolutely perfect! And yes – you do stick the pins through the money and foam! Hope you have fun making, and I know your son and his fiance will enjoy it!
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What was his response? =) You are one rockin’ mom.
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I love this idea! so cool
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It was fun to give to him. 🙂
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I have always wanted to do this! but never knew how
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Now you do 🙂 Have fun!
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🙂
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Thank you so for making Birthday ideas for Boys. My son will be turning Super Sixteen and I’m trying to pull Boy Ideas from everywhere. Your the Best by far!!!! Thank you Jodi
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Oh how wonderful! Can’t imagine a 16 year old boy who would not love one of these! 🙂
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These 10 websites are a few of my outright faves and I needed to share all of them to begin with.
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I have just seen your money cake, wow, just brilliant, now I have made cards incorporating money, making them a stem of a flower. A small vase of flowers, warped many notes, and stuck flowers on top, popped in a small glass jar with clear beads to hold them up instead of water. But this takes the top spot for me of all money gifts. Wow, wow, wow.
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Awh! Thanks Rebecca! ☺️
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What a Novel Idea. You are very Creative.
Even the President of America would love to have such a Cake.
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🙂 thanks! I think you are right – this is a gift anyone can love.
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Hope someone gives it, to me, one day.
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☺️👍
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I made one for my friend but used play money mixed in with real money can’t tell the difference she will be so blown away as she loves the creativeness that I always come up with am going to put real flowers in a vase and put them down the middle
On top
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How fun!!!! 😝
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So clever! 😉
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I love this!!! I just did a post on money giving hacks…wow!
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Glad you like!!😊
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I did! What a Happy birthday cake!
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Reblogged this on kelleysdiy and commented:
Yesterday I posted ‘Creative Money Gifts’ …I just saw this one on Jodi’s blog…fits right in! Isn’t it adorable…what a idea!
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Thanks for sharing ☺
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Everybody is loving it! Some thought was mine…I sent them your link… https://lifeinbetweendotme.wordpress.com/ thank you for sharing your awesome money cake! I bet your son was just amazed!
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Thanks Kelley! That is sweet of you!
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You deserve the credit…that was a great one…I am going to do it for my sons birthday..thank you so much!
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Awesome! How old is your son?
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…the youngest is 35….Oh my goodness…35!!! I never think about age until it’s brought up…I’m getting so old.
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It’s wonderful that you still make special gifts! My oldest will be 30 next year. That is really strange to think about!! He is the one who got this cake a couple years ago. 😉
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Did he feel slighted last year?
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Nah! He’s a good sport no matter. he is a new daddy now – so that is the important thing. 🙂
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Ahh..girl or boy?
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Girl. 💕🎀😊
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So what have you been doing the past 2 years on his birthday?
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Can’t recall exactly but nothing as elaborate – LOL!
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lol
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Creativity at ease… :-)! Thanks for sharing!
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You are very welcome
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Thanks! I’ll be there soon!
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I love this idea. I made one similar for my son’s 8th birthday. He adored it.
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awh! 🙂
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Hi Jodi,
My name is Michael, I am a Photo Editor with Upworthy. We love your money cake and would love to include a photo of it in a story we are producing. Please email me and let me know what you think when you have a moment.
Best,
Michael
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Hi Michael – sounds great! feel free to contact me at mckinneyjodi@gmail.com to chat further. Thank you for your interest in my blog and story. Sincerely, Jodi
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This cake is so clever. I have made money trees but this is really cool. Can’t wait to get started “baking”. Lol thanks. Marlene
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Have fun Marlene!! I’m sure it will be well received. 👍😉
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