What is the UK birthday party etiquette

[edgeware]

regarding presents and cake at a child’s party?

When I was little (not in the UK), I would unwrap presents as soon as I received them at my party. That’s what everyone did.
What is normal here? Do your put them all on a table wrapped and not unwrap until after people have left? Do I need to actively make sure my DS doesn’t open any presents he receives at his party?

Similar question about cake - does cutting the cake mean the party is finished?! Does it need to be done last?

Do people still blow out candles on cakes..? I’m not it the UK, but this all stopped with covid. Even before that, I would not want to eat cake that someone has blown on. 😅

I don't think formal thank yous are really needed - you thank them when the gist is given, surely?
Just a more general 'thanks for coming' message perhaps?

*gift is given

@NorthernLighting

Do people still blow out candles on cakes..? I’m not it the UK, but this all stopped with covid. Even before that, I would not want to eat cake that someone has blown on. 😅

Same here. Cupcake or a banana for candle blowing since covid!

Oooh having icing on the cake makes much more sense, thank you! Back ‘home’ you never put icing on birthday cakes so I hadn’t even thought of that (clearly less messy) option.

@Phalarope

Loathe cake in napkins in party bags - all grim and squished and instantly stale, plus more work for the host. Round here cake cutting is near the end - everyone eats it - bit more playing - party bags handed out and off you go.

I don't like cake in bags either. It only really works if the cake has that rolled fondant icing. If you use a nice buttercream, it just goes everywhere. And my kids always want to eat the cake straight away, so they're usually munching it in the car on the way home. Makes more sense to me to serve it as a dessert.

But according to Scottish DH, dessert at a kids birthday party is meant to be jelly (jell-o) and ice cream. which kind of makes you wonder what the birthday cake is even for.

We used to do games, food, open presents, cake, goodie bags then party over

This video should explain it all perfectly:
m.facebook.com/bbccomedy/videos/tom-allen-on-every-kids-party-ever-mock-the-week/708837742903755/

If it's a small party (less then 10 maybe) then open as you go, especially if it's all afternoon at home, turn up any time type of thing, where gift giving will be staggered as people arrive. If you have a whole class (30+) of children arriving at the same time, for 2 hours, no one wants to spend half that time watching your kid open endless presents, so put them on a table for later.

With cake either is fine, so again it kind of depends on the size and time constraints. If you have enough people that the first served will have finished and be waiting around while the last in line haven't got their cake yet, it's probably best to put it in bags for later, so everyone can get on with an activity while you cut. If it's a number of slices you can cut quickly, serve it after blowing out candles.

Party bags, with or without cake in them signal the end of the party. Depending on budget, a slice of cake is a cheap way to fill the bag, so you need less sweets / plastic tat.

NorthernLighting
Do people still blow out candles on cakes..? I’m not it the UK, but this all stopped with covid. Even before that, I would not want to eat cake that someone has blown on. 😅
Same here. Cupcake or a banana for candle blowing since covid!

edgeware
Same here. Cupcake or a banana for candle blowing since covid!

@edgeware Our friends had one of those candle snuffers, good idea!

All very useful, thank you!!! The presents does make sense, especially with younger children and more guests. My parties as a child were more casual, come to think of it, with more adults than kids, and not so many school friends, more family members and neighbours. I do think I will have a job on my hands getting a four-year old not to rip straight into them, but we will see!

Cake I would rather serve at the party - I love making them and want to see people enjoying it in front of me!! The last party I did I felt like I had to say ‘I’m cutting it now but I don’t want you to leave though!’ in my opinion it can be out so that people can have their fill!

You could do the cake and candles thing before they eat? Then it can be cut up whilst they eat ready to serve as dessert.

It makes life a lot easier if when you’re making cake you gave two: one for candies, one pre cut and in party bags…

You can get a tray bake cake from supermarkets that's already cut up, all you have to do is top it with sparklers and sing happy birthday (avoid normal candles in case people don't want to eat it) and it's already cut up to serve.

Job's a good one 👍