Another new fad

I have never heard of this - sounds so wasteful indeed-

I'd heard that in the States they have cake smash parties because up to the age of 1 babies are not given any sweets and chocolates...which culminates in this ritual.

Never heard of it, but it sounds appalling. How many wrong values does that teach?

Zero, because they are usually a first birthday thing (for first borns or onlies) so the kid doesn't know whats going on anyway.

I find the idea uncomfortably wasteful but probably no more than other popular party ideas

Surely another fad from America, where cakes seem to be the consistency of Instant Whip, not actual cake. In American films you see someone’s face sinking effortlessly into decorated goo. It’s probably inedible, as is the lurid roll-out icing which covers children’s birthday cakes here.

40-100 pounds for this nonsense? LOL They saw them coming ..as my granny would've said

Jocarter, at those prices I’d make the cakes and sell them myself, despite the fact that I think it’s disgraceful. Oops, there go my principles again!

I have a cake maker friend and at least once every week she gets an order for a cake smashing “celebration “ people are paying between 40-100 for a cake. Such a wicked waste of food and money.

Mom looks like she is being vindictive or something..... strange !

..and then I would make the destructive, spoilt brat eat up every crumb to teach them a lesson

This is being done with 1 year olds, and their parents are choosing for them to do this. I don't agree with this but from your comment I'm assuming you've misunderstood? Because that's a very harsh way to talk about a one year old @Margs

think its a current fashion aided by social media.
Agreed, Hilltopgran - someone found a way of parting over-indulgent, gullible parents from their money and now they are all trying to out-do each other.

babies can make a mess when eating cake
Yes, they do and I have the cute photos to prove it - a slice of home-made birthday cake and a snapshot taken by me!!

......and then I would make the destructive, spoilt brat eat up every crumb to teach them a lesson.

I first heard about this a few years ago when DD was living in Dubai, parents had cute photos of baby 'smashing' first birthday cake by professional photographers, who advertised their services for the event. Not something our DGC have taken part in, but babies can make a mess when eating cake, so think its a current fashion aided by social media.
DGD has messy afternoon play at her nursery in this country and loves them, they include cake, paint, mud and all the things you would not want thrown about inside at home,

As for having school shirts signed at the end of your school life has been going on for many years that I know of. My eldest DD is 55 this week and she still has her signed shirt.

Well said Jayelld. These cake smashes are usually part of a series of photos done by a professional photographer as part of a set to celebrate a one year old's birthday. They are not for older children and are usually just a largish cake with a little butter icing. I have a photographer friend who will provide one if the parents want it plus the baby is usually only wearing a nappy when the photos are taken.
As for the wedding dresses my young friend had photos taken the the sea in Cyprus wearing hers for photos but before the English reception it had been dry cleaned and looked immaculate again.
Both are rather silly practices but not really hurting anyone else. The photo of the mother pushing her baby's face into the cake is quite awful.

My grandchildren look forward to whatever cake I bake for their birthdays – and all eat it. That's what you do with birthday cake.

yes Jalima, the generation that has so much less disposable income than we had.........

I've just seen ads for adult cake smash photography, cakes, and so on..
Dumb and dumber comes to mind.

Never heard of this before. Don't think it happens at parties my gc attend. I thought it only happened at gypsy weddings.

Can't see the point! Waste of a good cake! Won't be happening here or it will be the last cake they get!

Is this the same generation, spending all this money on a cake which will not be eaten, just smashed, and far more money on a professional photographer, the same generation that is always moaning that they can't afford anything and that we stole their future?

about beyond brainless.
And I don't like the way the world is changing.

GG I agree totally!

I utterly despair at the Instagram generation. These parties are huge business, especially for the professional photographers who promote them.

...and I truly think that anyone who organises that sort of stupidity or allows their children to go to parties where it's 'on the menu', is beyond brainless.