How much to pay co-worker for making cupcakes for my daughter’s birthday party?

KO: How much to pay co-worker for making cupcakes for my daughter’s birthday party?
I have a co-worker who loves to bake. She made peach cupcakes with mascarpone icing the other day and brought them to work. I asked her if she would mind making them for my daughter’s birthday party. She said not only would she do that, but she will drive them down to us (a 30 mile drive for her). I am so greatful to her for doing this. What kind of monetary gift (or otherwise) is appropriate to give her?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Jeff C
don’t give her money – maybe get her a small gift or take her out to lunch or something.

Answer by Candie137
I would ask her first if she wanted you to pay her and if she says no then she probably wont accept the money anyway so the next thing would be to take her out to dinner or lunch.

Answer by Steven B
hmm i would giv her the cost of the petrol money for those 30 miles plus what eva u would like to for the cakes

Answer by redneckman500
give her 100 dollars the covers the gas and the cupcakes

Answer by Lighthouse
Don’t assume that the cupcakes are free. Let her know that you would like to pay for the cupcakes. Ask her how much. If she declined, then thank her profusely.

Perhaps, a $ 30.00 gift certificate to her favorite arts & crafts store (where they sell bakeware) or Wal-Mart come Christmas.

Answer by SirenSings
Offer to pay for her gas, buy the ingredients , then after the party take her out for a nice lunch.

Answer by Shev
It sounds like she did this out of her heart and not for compensation. The gift in return should be similar.

Do you know what store(s) or restaurant(s) she prefers. Gift cards are a great way to say “Thank you” and seem a bit warmer than just a check or cash. If you know of a great place you believe she’d like that she hasn’t tried yet, that would be a good candidate, too. A couple of my old favorite places (before some lifestyle changes) were the result of “Thank you” gift cards. Include a handwritten note of appreciation with the card(s).

When making the purchase, consider the monetary investment she made in ingredients and cooking, plus the time spent cooking and the drive time and gas burned. A profit for her isn’t necessary, but approximately breaking even would be considerate.

Answer by Boopsie
And I’d call a good bakery and ask the price of two dozen ( or however many she made) so I would know if she said she’d like to be paid..no matter how much she asks for, you’ll know if it is enough,
I f she declines a monetary gift, I’d get a card and ask her out to lunch at a lovely place, or give her a gift certificate to a restaurant that you know she’d enjoy…

Answer by Melissa
Well, first add up what you think the cost of ingredients might be. Perhaps 30 dollars? Then the cost of gas to drive to your place. Maybe another 10 dollars. Now, estimate how much time was involved. Probably an hour to make them all and an hour to drive to and from your place. I think a gift around 40-50 dollars is reasonable. She probably won’t want to accept cash, but a gift certificate to a nice resteraunt or somewhere you know she likes, she’ll have to accept!

Answer by Meredith C
I’d offer her at least what you would have paid a bakery- or buy her a gift certificate at a cake decoration shop.

Answer by Classy Granny
I would ask her what she expects. It might be just the cost of making them or maybe she expects to be compensated. Check with the school though. I just read something about some schools no longer allowing homemade treats because so many children have allergies.

Answer by Pepper F
ask her what she wants for it then add a few dollars as a kindness or get her a small gift ( since she likes to bake something along that line)

Answer by undone
She will be spending a lot of time on those cupcakes. ( and money too maybe, depends on how many there are). Call a couple of bakeries in your area, and find out how much it would cost to buy similar cupcakes from them. Then when your co-worker arrives, before she leaves, just have a small present like flowers or a plant for her WITH an attached thank-you card and some cash in the card or a gift card if you prefer. She loves to bake so it is unlikely she expects payment. But its nice to offer. 🙂