Super Simple Birthday Cake Flags

Above: Just pretend that the number seven sits nicely in the center of the cake, okay? Truthfully I put a raw potato in the middle of the cake to hold the skewer but there was so much white glaze in there that the potato kept rising to the top and toppling the number over a bit……alack alas, perfection was not achieved, and I really don’t think anyone noticed. Longest caption in the history of CJM, a great way to start the first post of 2020?

On the first night of Chanukah we celebrate two family birthdays, and this year due to my computer falling very ill I was able to spend a huge chunk of time crafting for this special party and for Chanukah in general, and it was so wonderful, truly. I hope to have a chance to photograph the decorations, and share some of them of them with you, and in the mean time, I thought I’d share my super simple cake flags, which are a breeze to make and truthfully look great. I have neither the skills nor the hours for time consuming cakes, (as you may know if you’ve been following this blog over the years) but rather opt for a simply delicious chocolate cake with a glaze and cute as can be decorations that don’t take too much time to make. 

Despite having a whole month to prepare for this birthday party I was running late with the cake, and so when my three beloved nieces arrived from afar for the party I actually had them put together the sparkling cake flags. Fortunately it is simple enough even for the inexperienced crafter, so take note and be sure to remember this one when you need a simple cake decorating solution, you know the kind you can do in ten minutes or so!

Above: Since all the birthday decorations are still up, I’m making a mini surprise birthday party for a guest that is joining us (with 5 of his friends) for shabbat meals this week. Whipping up some new flags and numbers is so simple and I know he is going to love it! 

You’ll Need:

• wooden skewers
• sparkled adhesive-backed craft foam, sold in A4 or letter sized sheets, mine were in a multi color pack OR the paper of your choice and double stick tape or a glue stick
• scissors
• tiny pom poms (optional)

How To:

1. Cut thin strips of craft foam or paper, twice the length of your desired flags (please take note that in my humble opinion the more elegant cake flag is shaped rather like a notched ribbon, not a rectangular flag on a pole)
2. Remove the paper backing from the craft foam, place the skewer in the middle of the strip and carefully fold one side of the strip onto the other (so the two sides meet as perfectly as possible) thus securing the skewer. 
3. Cut triangular notches at the end of each flag and add pom pom using hot glue or high tack craft glue. The pom poms here were stuck onto the skewer with no glue, which is why they are a bit wonky, but hey we were really rushing!
4. To make numbers to go with your flag you’ll need a number and its mirror image, meaning in this case a seven and a backwards seven. Then simply sandwich the skewer between the front and back pieces. 
5. Voila, now go put those flags and numbers on that cake!