I got a birthday cake for my friend because I missed her birthday party. I'm holding

[B45]

I got a birthday cake for my friend because I missed her birthday party. I'm holding the cake while talking to my sister:

That's why I got her a/the cake because I missed her party.

Are both okay? Is there a difference?

 

[bhaisahab]

Yes, both are OK. No, there is no difference in meaning. You could also say "this cake" if, as you say, you are holding it.

 

[tzfujimino]

That's why I got her a/the cake because I missed her party.

I think there's something wrong with the sentence above.
What's the reason that you got her a/the/this cake?

 

[Matthew Wai]

The speaker (the OP) had missed her party, so he got her a cake as a belated birthday present, IMO.

Not a teacher.

 

[tzfujimino]

Yes, I thought of that too, but what do you think about the sentence?
I don't think the 'because I missed her party' part is necessary.

 

[Matthew Wai]

If the person being addressed doesn't know the reason, I think 'That's why' can be omitted.
If the person being addressed already knows the reason, I think 'because I missed her party' can be omitted.

Not a teacher.

 

[Tdol]

Yes, I thought of that too, but what do you think about the sentence?
I don't think the 'because I missed her party' part is necessary.

Perhaps he wouldn't have got the cake if he had not missed the party.