Night Cake: a virtual birthday cake to blow out under a violet sky
Night Cake is a virtual birthday cake whose candles are blown out into the phone, and the calmest of the birthday templates. The scene is a deep violet night sky with small stars twinkling behind. First a gift box shakes three times, its lid flies off and balloons drift out. Then a two-tier pastel cake glides in on a gold plate, with icing dripping over the edges, little bead decorations, sprinkles and striped candles. Once the candles are lit one by one, the lights dim and the birthday person is asked to make a wish. The colours are soft and the pace is slow, so it feels more like a quiet moment together than a loud party.
Pick it when you want warmth rather than noise: for your mum, a friend in another city, a partner you want to be first to message at midnight, or someone you have known for years. You type their name, your name and, if you like, a few lines of your own, then choose a colour for each tier and how the candles look. Send the link on WhatsApp or copy it into any chat or email.
What does the recipient experience?
- The first screen shows their name and 'I have a surprise for you'. They can open with the microphone or without it; the microphone only detects their breath and nothing is recorded.
- The gift box trembles three times, leaking a little more light each time. The lid pops, confetti bursts, balloons float out and their name appears in large letters.
- The cake spins in from a distance and settles, and the candles light one after another. The scene darkens and asks them to close their eyes and make a wish; they tap 'I made my wish' when ready.
- They blow towards the phone and the flames bend and go out, each one leaving a wisp of smoke. Without the microphone, they press and hold the 'Hold to blow' button instead.
- After a short moment of darkness the screen lights up: confetti cannons fire from the bottom corners, streamers fall, fireworks open and the birthday song plays, with 'Happy birthday' and their name on screen.
- Finally they read your message on a card. 'Say thanks' sends you one of ❤️, 🥹, 🎉, 🙏 or 😘, and 'Replay' starts it again.
What can you choose?
Each tier gets its own colour: the bottom can be cream, pink, mint, lilac or lemon, and the top pink, mint, lilac or lemon. For the candles you either choose a number from 1 to 9 or type their age to get number-shaped candles. Both names and your message appear on the card; leave the message empty and a short birthday wish is shown instead.
When to send it
This one is for birthdays only. Its gentle mood suits a midnight 'happy birthday' or a surprise to open at the end of a long day. Blowing into the microphone is the fun part, but it is not required: if they decline permission, are somewhere noisy or the mic doesn't pick them up, holding a button puts the candles out too. With sound on they also hear the song and effects.
Common questions
What makes Night Cake different from the other birthday cakes?
A starry violet night and soft pastel colours. Instead of the saturated colours of Vivid Party, the daytime landscape of Candy Garden or the black-and-gold room of Golden Glow, it keeps things simple and calm.
What happens if I enter their age?
Choose 'Age' under candles and type a number from 1 to 120, and the cake gets that number as digit-shaped candles. They are blown out in exactly the same way.
What if they can't blow all the candles out?
If some are still lit, the screen says 'Almost! Blow once more.' If the microphone isn't working after a few seconds, a hold button appears as well, so the surprise never gets stuck.
Can you blow out birthday candles on your phone?
Yes. Once they allow the microphone, they blow towards the phone and the flames bend and go out. The microphone only detects their breath and nothing is recorded. If they would rather not allow it, or the room is noisy, holding a button puts the candles out too.