re: How do you deal with family who orders novelty cakes from another person?

I wouldn’t take it to heart. Maybe they didn’t want to impose on you, or they have a favorite bakery. You could always ask, in a light manner, why they didn’t ask.
I’ve had that happen to me on numerous occasions, people would RAVE about my baked goods when they were given to them for fre, but as soon as they knew money may be involved, they order elsewhere.
Good luck, but again, I wouldn’t sweat it.

JJCakes