The Creative Towel Cake: A Unique Wedding Gift Idea

A wedding towel cake is a creative and thoughtful gift for newlyweds. It is made by rolling up bath or kitchen towels to resemble the tiers of a cake. The tiers are then decorated with ribbon, silk flowers, and other embellishments. The cake can also be used as a centerpiece at the wedding and makes for a cute decoration. The basic materials required for a simple wedding towel cake include a set of towels (2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, and 2 washcloths or 6 kitchen towels and 4 dishcloths), ribbon, silk rose petals, a large silk flower or a grouping of small flowers, safety pins, scissors, wire cutters, and a wooden dowel.

What you need to make a wedding towel cake

A wedding towel cake is a cute and creative gift for the happy couple that can also be used as a decorative centerpiece at a bridal shower. To make a wedding towel cake, you will need the following:

Towels

Firstly, you will need to decide whether to use bath towels or kitchen towels. Bath towels will give you a larger cake, whereas kitchen towels are smaller but often have fun prints. If using bath towels, you will need two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths. If using kitchen towels, you will need six kitchen towels and four dishcloths.

Ribbon

Ribbon adds extra visual interest to your cake and helps to keep it together. Choose a solid color or a fun pattern, and make sure you have enough to wrap around each tier of your cake. You will also need scissors to cut the ribbon and remove store tags from the towels.

Rubber Bands or Safety Pins

To keep your towels in place once rolled up, you can use either rubber bands or safety pins. Wrap a rubber band around each tier, or use safety pins to secure the ends of the towels.

Double-Sided Tape or Hot Glue

Once you have wrapped the ribbon around each tier, you will need to secure the ends together with either double-sided tape or hot glue. If you tie your ribbon in a bow, you may not need these items.

Decorative Filler Items

To finish your cake, add some decorative filler items such as wood utensils, silk flowers, or other small gifts. These items will nestle down into the towel layers and add visual interest to your cake.

Wire Cutters (Optional)

If you are using silk flowers or other decorative elements secured on picks, you may want to purchase wire cutters to shorten the length of the picks.

Wooden Dowel (Optional)

If you are concerned about your cake falling over, you can stack your towels on a wooden dowel for added stability, especially if you are transporting the cake.

How to make a wedding towel cake

A wedding towel cake is a cute and creative gift for the happy couple that also works as a decoration at a bridal shower. It's made up of rolled-up towels stacked to look like a tiered cake. Here's how to make one:

Materials:

• Towels: You'll need two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths, or six kitchen towels and four dishcloths. Thick, high-quality towels are best.
• Ribbon: Choose a colour and pattern that match your theme. You'll need about 130 inches of ribbon.
• Silk Flowers: Use a large silk flower or a grouping of small flowers, along with about 100 silk rose petals.
• Pins or Rubber Bands: You can use large safety pins or rubber bands to secure the towels.
• Scissors: To cut the ribbon and remove store tags from the towels.
• Double-Sided Tape or Hot Glue: To secure the ribbon.
• Wire Cutters (optional): For cutting silk flower stems or decorative elements.
• Wooden Dowel (optional): For stability, especially if you're transporting the cake.

Steps:

Fold and Roll the Towels:

• Fold each towel in half lengthwise, and then fold it in half lengthwise again.
• Start rolling the towel from one end, keeping it tight and neat.
• Repeat this process for all the towels, securing the ends with pins or rubber bands.

Stack the Towel Tiers:

Stack each tier from largest to smallest. You can place a wooden dowel in the centre for stability if needed.

Decorate with Ribbon:

• Measure and cut the ribbon to fit each tier.
• Wrap the ribbon around each tier, securing it with glue or tape, or by tying it in a bow.

Add Finishing Touches:

• Decorate the cake with silk flowers, ribbon bows, or other embellishments.
• You can also add kitchen utensils, small gifts, or other decorative fillers.
• Use wire cutters to shorten any flower stems or picks as needed.

Your wedding towel cake is now ready! It's a fun and practical gift that the couple can enjoy long after the celebration.

Wedding towel cake decoration ideas

A wedding towel cake is a cute and thoughtful gift for the bride and groom and can also be used as a decorative centerpiece at a bridal shower. Here are some decoration ideas to make a beautiful and elegant wedding towel cake:

Choosing the Right Towels

Firstly, it is important to select the right towels for your cake. Thick, high-quality towels are best for this project. You will need a set of towels in different sizes, typically including bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths. The number of towels depends on the desired size and number of layers of your cake. For a simple three-layer cake, you will need two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths. However, you can add more towels to create additional layers or a larger cake.

Folding and Rolling the Towels

The next step is to fold and roll the towels to create the layers of your cake. Fold each towel lengthwise, and then roll it up tightly. Secure the ends of the towels with large safety pins or straight pins. You can also use wide rubber bands or tape to hold the towels together. Repeat this process for all the towels to create the desired number of layers.

Stacking the Layers

Once you have rolled all the towels, it's time to stack them to form the cake. Start with the largest layer as the base and work your way up, placing the smaller layers on top. You can use a wooden dowel or a paper towel roll in the center of the cake to stabilize it and hold the layers together, especially if you plan on transporting the cake.

Adding Ribbons and Bows

Ribbons are a great way to add colour and elegance to your wedding towel cake. Cut ribbons into different lengths depending on the size of each layer. Tie the ribbons around each layer, creating beautiful bows, and trim the ends at an angle for a neat finish. You can use a single colour or combine different colours and widths of ribbon for a unique look.

Floral Arrangements

Flowers are a popular choice to decorate wedding towel cakes. You can use silk flowers, fresh flowers, or a combination of both. Cut the stems of the flowers to an appropriate length and gently push them into the top and sides of the cake. You can also add flower garlands or wrap flowers around each layer for a romantic and whimsical touch.

Embellishments

There are numerous other embellishments you can use to enhance your wedding towel cake:

• Silk rose petals or other types of petals can be sprinkled around the cake and on the layers.
• Rhinestone brooches, crystal diamonds, or pearl sprays can be added for a touch of sparkle and elegance.
• Feathers, butterflies, or other small decorative items can be pinned or glued onto the cake.
• Travel-size spa products, votive candles, or other small gifts can be tucked into the layers for a thoughtful surprise.
• Cake toppers can be added to the top layer, such as a bath pouf, a whimsical figurine, or a unique decorative item.

Feel free to mix and match different colours, themes, and decorations to create a wedding towel cake that aligns with the wedding's colour scheme or the bride's preferences.

Wedding towel cake gift ideas

A wedding towel cake is a creative and thoughtful gift for the happy couple. It is a set of towels stacked and arranged to look like a tiered cake. This is a perfect DIY bridal shower gift idea that is easy to make and can be customised to suit the wedding colour scheme or the couple's home. It can also be used as a decoration or centerpiece at a bridal shower.

Gift Ideas

• Utensils - You can add kitchen utensils to the cake, sticking out of the top or bundled together and wrapped in a washcloth.
• Flowers - Silk flowers can be used to decorate the cake, with stems pushed into the layers to keep them in place. You can also use silk rose petals scattered around the cake.
• Ribbon - Use ribbon to tie the layers together or to wrap around each tier. You can also add a bow.
• Gifts - Add small gifts, such as travel-size spa products, candles, or a coffee mug.
• Personalisation - Embroidered initials or messages can be added to the towels.
• Colour scheme - Choose colours that match the wedding colour scheme or the couple's home.
• Other decorations - Add rhinestones, jewels, or pearls to the cake. You can also add a cake topper.

History of the wedding towel cake

The concept of a wedding towel cake is a cute and creative idea for a bridal shower gift or a centerpiece for a wedding or housewarming party. It is made to resemble an actual cake, with "tiers" made from rolled towels and decorative elements like ribbons, flowers, and pins. While the exact history of the wedding towel cake is unclear, the tradition of giving towels as a wedding gift has been around for centuries.

In the past, towels were often given as a symbol of hospitality and warmth, wishing the new couple a comfortable and happy life together. Over time, creative individuals began to come up with unique ways to present these towels, and the idea of a towel cake emerged. This concept allows for a more visually appealing and memorable way to gift towels, adding a touch of creativity and elegance to the traditional gift.

The earliest known reference to a wedding towel cake can be traced back to online craft forums and blogs in the early 2010s, where people shared instructions on how to make them. These tutorials often included step-by-step photos and detailed descriptions of the process, making it accessible for anyone to create their own towel cake. The simplicity and versatility of this idea quickly gained popularity, and it has since become a beloved tradition for many.

Today, wedding towel cakes have evolved to include a variety of designs and decorations. While the traditional method involves folding and rolling towels to create the tiers, some people have added their own creative twists, such as using different colours, adding embellishments, or incorporating the wedding theme into the design. The decorations used to enhance the cake have also diversified, with options like burlap, lace, silk flowers, and personalized touches such as embroidery or monogramming.

The wedding towel cake is a heartwarming tradition that combines practicality and aesthetics. It is a unique way to celebrate the union of two people, offering them something beautiful to admire during the festivities and useful items for their new life together.

Frequently asked questions