Should i just make a no sew tutu?

my friend and i have been talking about it forever, practically since we first knew each other.
as of right now, i have a lot of regular fabric, which i could use to make a pettiskirt tutu, but no tulle, which is necessary for the tutu i wish to make.
i have no sewing machine, but that doesnt matter, as the tutus i will be making just require you to tie the fabric a certain way around the elastic you are using for the waist band.
when i have the mterials, should i make the tutus as a surprise for her? this will be our fourth year of friendship when school starts again, and i wanted to give her something special that i made. or should i just go and buy her something like cupcakes?